ABSTRACT
Abstract: Researchers in the fields of management information systems (MIS) and humancomputer interaction (HCI) have largely ignored the aesthetic dimension of information technology. This paper argues that aesthetics should be conceived as an integral part of information technology just as it is in other aspects of our lives. Four reasons are provided for this premise: (1) In many cases, aesthetics becomes a major differentiating factor between IT products; (2) our evaluations of the environment, including IT, are primarily visual; (3) aesthetics satisfies basic human needs, and human needs are increasingly supplied by information technology; and (4) aesthetic considerations are becoming increasingly important in our society, in large part thanks to IT. The paper proposes research directions for the study of aesthetics in information technology and provides some examples of research questions to illustrate the viability of this topic. Keywords: Aesthetics, Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Technology, Visual Appearance
INTRODUCTION
Information systems are artifacts, made to serve individuals, organizations, and society. Early information processing artifacts were designed to support a small number of well-defined organizational activities (e.g., payroll processing). Over the years, information technologies have penetrated almost every aspect of human life. The roles of IT, the ways in which it services society, have changed considerably. Consequently, people’s experiences with IT have changed as well, along with their expectations, demands, and evaluations of existing and new IT artifacts. These changes call for reevaluation of how researchers and practitioners alike approach the design of the IT artifact. Whereas past research and practical guidelines stressed avoiding negative user experiences, a new vision of IT sees opportunities for positive experiences. In line with these changes, the purpose of this paper is to highlight a neglected aspect of IT design, namely its visual aesthetics.1
