Non-Functional Aspects of Interface Design and Learning

📄 Project Abstract

It is a common fact among the computing industry that people don't like computers. They are frightened and intimidated by them. As a result, much research has been done into improving the designing of the functional aspects of systems to minimise the user rejection of the systems as much as possible. Little attention has been paid though to the aesthetic qualities of interfaces and their effect on the acceptance of the system. Yet psychological research has shown that these qualities have both a psychological and physiological effect on people, and can cause certain reactions to both work and home environments. This paper explores the possibility that these non-functional aspects of the interfaces and systems which we are designing for everyday use, have an influence on the acceptance of the system overall. It looks at the possibility of users being able to choose their own colour schemes and layouts and how this affects their acceptance of the system. It also looks at the possibility ...