A Scientific Perspective on Form vs. Function

Wow. This article on the measurable benefits of aesthetics in user interface design is brilliant.

We've all participated in debates about form follows function and vice versa. I have never heard such a well reasoned and scientific (i.e. observed, measurable & repeatable) perspective on the subject before.

This is a must-read for anyone embarking on a new UI design or a re-design of an existing product. Heck, those thinking about branding should read it too (after all, UI design and branding are as joined at the hip as form and function).

Here's a snippet to wet your appetite:

By making intentional, conscious decisions about the personality of your product, you can shape positive or negative responses. Take a look at Sony and how they applied this knowledge in the Sony AIBO. Let’s consider why they made this robot resemble a puppy.

Here, you have a robotic device that isn’t perfect. It won’t understand most of what you say. It may or may not follow the commands it does understand. And it doesn’t really do all that much.

If this robot was an adult butler that responded to only half our requests and frequently did something other than what we asked, we’d consider it broken and useless. But as a puppy, we find its behaviors “cute.” Puppies aren’t known for following directions. And when the robot puppy does succeed, we are delighted. “Look, it rolled over!” What a great way to enter the robotics market.

Here's the link again:

In Defense of Eye Candy

Comments

[Nick Desbarats]

Thanks Craig -great read. The most compelling business argument for good design is, I believe, this little nugget:

Attention to design details implies that the same care and attention has been spent on the other (less visible) parts of the product—which implies that this is a trustworthy product.

In a world where people decide if they want to use a site/app in 10 seconds or less, good design is make or break.