Design principle: Aesthetics

The power of beauty in design

Today’s article is about understanding what is aesthetic design and its importance for the perception of usability. Humans like pretty and shiny design; they desire it much more than functional one.

We enjoy looking and using aesthetically pleasing design, because it satisfies our senses, it gives us pleasure.

Designers tend to think of aesthetics as the visuals of the design. However, aesthetic design consists of more elements than just how it looks.

What is aesthetic design?

There is a whole branch of philosophy exploring aesthetics. Let’s scratch the surface of the Aesthetics field and learn how it relates to our design work.

There is a phenomenon that social psychologists call “the halo effect”. It means humans tend to assume that good-looking people have other positive qualities aside from their looks.

The same is valid for product design. Good looking products and user interface are perceived as more valuable and having more qualities.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Aesthetics are in all our senses, not just the sight. Aesthetic design is a 4D experience. Product designers, who are doing actual physical products are aware of that.