The Effect of Perceived Hedonic Quality on Product Appealingness

Usability can be broadly defined as quality of use. However, even this broad definition neglects the contribution of perceived fun and enjoyment to user satisfaction and preferences. Therefore, we recently suggested a model taking “hedonic quality” (HQ; i.e., non-task-oriented quality aspects such as innovativeness, originality, etc.) and the subjective nature of “appealingness” into account (Hassenzahl, Platz, Burmester, & Lehner, 2000). In this study, I aimed to further elaborate and test this model. I assessed the user perceptions and evaluations of 3 different visual display units (screen types). The results replicate and qualify the key findings of Hassenzahl, Platz, et al. (2000) and lend further support to the model’s notion of hedonic quality and its importance for subjective judgments of product appealingness.