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Abstract

For many years dark patterns, also known as deceptive patterns, have been manipulating uses into sharing more data and spending more money. These practices have been frustrating users and have been heavily criticised by UX design professionals. However, with proven research surrounding the Aesthetic-Usability effect, whereby users perceive attractive products as more usable, the objective was to find the extent in which an improvement in aesthetics could lead to dark pattern-blindness.
The National Rail Enquiries app is used as the case study where improvements to the design and aesthetics, as well as implementation of dark patterns were made. The recreation and redesigned app were created using prototyping techniques and by following the Design Thinking process. Primary research was gathered and analysed through usability testing and the implementation of standardised quantitative tests, the System-Usability Scale and AttrakDiff, alongside qualitative feedback. The difference that aesthetics had on the perceived usability of the app designs was determined, as well as users’ perception of dark patterns when original versus modern aesthetic designs were used.
Following the analysis of data, the project was found to be successful, in which the extent of dark pattern-blindness was found to be significant. Additionally, it was found that some user benefits could be drawn through the implementation of certain dark patterns within the National Rail Enquiries app prototypes.

Course: Creative Media Technologies - BSc - C2734S

Date Deposited: 2025-01-09

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14589.html