User's web page aesthetics opinion: a matter of low-level image descriptors based on MPEG-7

Analyzing a user's first impression of a Web site is essential for interface designers, as it is tightly related to their overall opinion of a site. In fact, this early evaluation affects user navigation behavior. Perceived usability and user interest (e.g., revisiting and recommending the site) are parameters influenced by first opinions. Thus, predicting the latter when creating a Web site is vital to ensure users’ acceptance. In this regard, Web aesthetics is one of the most influential factors in this early perception. We propose the use of low-level image parameters for modeling Web aesthetics in an objective manner, which is an innovative research field. Our model, obtained by applying a stepwise multiple regression algorithm, infers a user's first impression by analyzing three different visual characteristics of Web site screenshots—texture, luminance, and color—which are directly derived from MPEG-7 descriptors. The results obtained over three wide Web site datasets (composed by 415, 42, and 6 Web sites, respectively) reveal a high correlation between low-level parameters and the users’ evaluation, thus allowing a more precise and objective prediction of users’ opinion than previous models that are based on other image characteristics with fewer predictors. Therefore, our model is meant to support a rapid assessment of Web sites in early stages of the design process to maximize the likelihood of the users’ final approval

Role of Emotions and Aesthetics in ICT Usage for Underserved Communities: A NeuroIS Investigation

Usability and efficiency has received lot of attention in terms of ICT usage and attitude however non instrumental factors like emotions and aesthetics and their impact on ICT usage attitude and performance has not been extensively tested. Further underserved communities are focused communities that have limitations in terms of formal and functional literacy and technology experience. Aesthetics have been shown to be an important predictor of usage but this has not been tested in underserved communities. Also positive emotions have been linked to greater ICT usage as well as aesthetic experience. Measurement of factors like emotions, aesthetic preferences and ICT usage has so far been restricted to questionnaires however we propose to use objective measures like brain imaging technique (EEG) to supplement existing methodologies. The current paper is a research in progress that addresses potential role of aesthetics and emotions for understanding aesthetic preferences and ICT usages in underserved communities

Interactive Arts and Creative Tourism

The topic creative tourism has begun to provoke a wide debate in society segmented in the development of new technology and digital art products and services within the scope of the creative economy and in particular the economy of experiencing The author Leslie-Ann Jordan 2012 designates the strengthening of the intrinsic interconnection between the universe of arts culture and creative industries as essential aiming to develop new offers of tourist differentiation From the outset we can raise the question of what the role and or impact of the arts of technological artistic and interactive phenomenology could be in the potentiation of creative genre industries leveraging new explicit paradigms of human-computer interactivity and contributing to the aesthetic interpretive development and education of the sectors attached to the cultural heritage and in this quality to unequivocally promote new tourism models of creative innovation based on the interactive arts that exponentiate new and unprecedented aesthetic cultures of emotional experience of products and services enabling new tourist branding based on in its differentiating imagery offe

Universal Design: Planning and Design for All

[Excerpt] This report attempts to develop and illustrate the concept of universal design. The aim of universal design is to develop theory, principles and solutions to enable everybody to use the same physical solutions to the greatest extent possible, whether it be buildings, outdoor-areas, means of communication or household goods. Universal design opposes, ideologically and politically, all unnecessary and stigmatizing specialized solutions, whether they are intended for people with disabilities or other groups of the population. Equal status, equal treatment and equal merit are key concepts. The discussion in this report covers extensive spheres such as planning, architecture and product design. One may object that we try to cover too large an area within a relatively brief report. It is therefore important to emphasise that our main intention is to include more professionals and politicians in the further discussion of universal design or design for all

Fashion designs and brands: the role of the informed user and the average consumer

The notions of the informed user and average consumer occupy centre stage in design and trade marks disputes. The current European Union legal framework exposes a tension between these notions as legal constructs informed by normative objectives, and the need to connect them with the business reality of design and trade mark practice. This article investigates how litigation concerning fashion design and brands addresses this tension and shapes the definition and application of legal tests for the informed user and the average consumer. It analyses key criteria that determine who these notional persons are, and how those criteria are applied when performing assessments that combine abstract legal standards with information acquired from the experience that real users and consumers make of fashion designs and brands

An interactive approach to learning economics: The WinEcon package

Under the TLTP initiative, the Economics Consortium is developing an interactive computer‐based learning package called WinEcon. The package is directed at first‐year economics undergraduates, particularly those taking economics as a supplementary course. Using recent technological developments, the aim is both to facilitate a further increase in student numbers without a proportionate increase in teaching staff, and to provide a better method of student learning. Some key elements of WinEcon are set out in this paper and demonstrated by screens produced at Leicester University. Methods of presenting textual information that give the user control over accessing it are described. For learning difficult concepts, a visual active learning approach is discussed. It involves user interaction and step‐by‐step analysis. The importance of flexibility and choice is emphasized, and the capacity of the computer to assist in deepening and consolidating learning is shown

VARIANT AND VARIATIONS ON FURNITURE FOR EMOTIONAL DESIGN IMPACT ON USERS

The process of design is the subject of many studies in the field of psychology or social science or technologies. Its wealth is based on its complexity within the variant and variations that include during its progress. An investigation on computer-aided integrated design and production using advanced automated tools aims to provide integrated solutions for the design and production of geometrically complex forms merged with machines restrictions that could serve as potential design variations. These variations relies heavily on the use of parametric design modeling that are incompatible with a linear approach. Beyond functionality, comfort, and technology, the objective is to propose a conscious and creative dimension of living, offering an anti-stress formula for the design and daily management of the space. This paper investigates the emotional design impact on products specifically on furniture to evoke emotions in people, suggesting that emotions are at basic importance for the success of a product since they influence product evaluation, purchase decision and product experience of users significantly. To formalize this iterative process, we propose a dynamic model allowing multiple variations on furniture affecting the users emotionally from the very beginning of the interaction at the pre-possession stage to long-term use, giving emphasis on form, color and material. We propose a dynamic model allowing multiple variations on furniture within a conscious and creative dimension of living offering an anti-stress formula for the design and daily management of the space

Genres, Media, and Usability in the Evaluation of Writing Quality in Digital Environments

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) has recognized that there may be a problem with depending too much on usability studies for identifying some weaknesses in digital media. In their effort to find a substitute, they have funded more than $250,000 in research in the past two years