Assessing Automotive Audio System Visual Appearance Attributes Using Empirical Methods

Human factors engineers typically concern themselves with issues of product functionality measured in terms of users’ task completion times and/or error rates. However, a product is not only a means to accomplish specific goals but a perceptual object whose sensory attributes mediate a certain “look and feel.” The present study sought to identify the visual appearance attributes of automotive audio systems that impact qualitative response to products. Results revealed specific visual appearance attributes that contributed separately to the perception of stylish appearance, 3D shape, visual complexity and cost/quality.