We’re all attracted to beautiful things. It’s why we gravitate towards those pretty, shiny packages in stores or why the latest iPhone tends to attract so much attention.
It’s not always about function. Think about it. We see something long before we interact with it. That’s why pretty works better than not so pretty.
Does this mean pretty is all that matters? Of course not! But it is important for us to learn what it is about beauty that makes a design stand out from the rest.
Beauty Is Rewarding
We all have that favorite vacation spot that makes us feel like we’ve won the lottery. Part of that is because we just enjoy getting away. The other part is because we get to see scenes like the one above.
There is something about beauty that makes us feel rewarded. Scientists found that biochemicals in the brain actually reward us when we see something pretty. It’s a large part of why pretty works better. Who doesn’t want to feel rewarded?
It’s the same effect as when a long line of people are waiting for the latest gadget, such as an iPhone. The moment they pull their new shiny phone out of the box, they stand in awe for a moment. It’s not just about a phone. It’s a beautiful reward.
Pretty Inspires Trust
We often associate pretty with trust. Consider two ecommerce sites for a second. The first is a work of art. Someone could take the site and hang it in an art gallery. It’s that pretty.
The second looks like a two-year-old rolled around in a few buckets of paint and ran through the house. It’s different, but not exactly pretty.
So which would you choose to do business with? The first seems more trustworthy based on the design alone. But what if the second site was actually easier to use? It’s a problem we’ve all encountered, but we’re drawn to the prettier site first. Imagine what would happen if we as designers combined both pretty and function. Mind blown, right?
Beauty Is Contagious
Even though most people will deny they’re attracted to something simply because it’s pretty, we can’t deny that’s true. We also can’t deny that beauty makes us want to share. This is why we see so many pictures of beautiful meals on Facebook and Instagram.
Pretty things are better because they’re contagious, in a good way. Why do you think the Internet is full of so many cute kittens or funny cats? We love to look at pretty things. We love interacting with pretty designs. It’s why desktop computers are sleek, thin, black all-in-one screens versus clunky gray boxes now.
When designers want a product, app, or website to get noticed, they make it pretty. This leads to that viral popularity that we’ve all secretly craved at some point. After all, we can’t all be the dancing baby.
Pretty Works, But Function Still Matters
Don’t get too caught up in pretty though. Yes, pretty works better, but it’s not all that matters. It’s like cats. We could buy the prettiest toy, but after a few minutes, they’re more interested in the box it came in. Why?
The toy is nice, but only if it keeps them occupied. The box gives them endless hours of hide-and-seek, a hidden bed and a scratching post all in one. It’s the function they love in the end over the pretty, shiny toy.
People work the same way. If an app or gadget looks incredible, people will be interested. When the function does live up to the beauty, it’s tossed aside in favor of something newer or prettier. Some people even become happier with a less than pretty design in favor of function.
Since everyone’s tastes are different, the concept of pretty might vary. Function is the same for everyone.
Pretty Functional Works Best
We as UX designers always have to wear two hats – creative and constructive. We create stunning, pretty designs, but we construct designs that are functional and keep users coming back for more. Go ahead and mix pretty and function and it’s a combination no one can pass by.
Images: Ian Schneider, Natasha Norton, Alvaro Serrano, Toronto Eaters