Abstract:

The appearance of a website is not just merely created through the practice of usability and applying technical standard, but also results of an evolving design activity that transforms a web page appearance into a visual communication medium. The interplay of website visual elements builds up meanings that affects users beyond what previous information technology practices have uncovered. Previous research acknowledges that visually appealing website has significant effects in attracting users’ attention and trust. Thus, the ability of web designers to create web pages that are easily interpreted yet visually appealing to more target users is therefore of great importance in the success of websites. The present study examines nine selected Indonesian websites to identify variations in visual organizations and arousal potential associated with perceived usefulness and trustworthiness of the sites. Subjects are 135 Indonesian students and faculty members of the Department of Design from Bandung Insitute of Technology (ITB) in Bandung Indonesia. The data are cross-referenced to identify gender and subject-experience variables. In conclusions, we offer some directions for the web site design and also discuss its implications for the present new media research and cognitive aspects in the human-computer interaction.