Title: The effect of borrowed product category aesthetics on apparent usability

Authors: Alen Keirnan; Simon Jackson; Blair Kuys; Simone Taffe

Addresses: School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia ' School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia ' School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia ' School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia

Abstract: Visual references are used to communicate product mode-of-use, product qualities and functions to consumers. In this paper we present the effects on apparent usability when designers apply visual references across different product categories to three life-saving medical devices. To illustrate the effects of borrowing visual references across product categories we chose three life-saving auto-injectors used to treat anaphylaxis. Participants were asked to identify the product category to which the auto-injector belongs and respond to statements about the auto-injectors' mode-of-use on a nine-point Likert scale. The statements represented a combination of correct and incorrect interactions required to successfully administer the life-saving adrenaline to a patient. A bivariate correlation showed a strong positive correlation with correct use when the auto-injectors are perceived as belonging to a medical product category. This paper presents findings on how visual references are misapplied to life-saving auto-injectors, leading to ambiguity in use and the potential for death.

Keywords: design research; aesthetics; apparent usability; mode-of-use; product category.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2023.139197

Journal of Design Research, 2023 Vol.21 No.2, pp.79 - 98

Accepted: 21 Sep 2023
Published online: 25 Jun 2024 *

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