De gustibus non est disputandum, but usability is not a matter of taste

Abstract “De gustibus non est disputandum”, or “In matters of taste, there can be no disputes” is an ancient Roman maxim. It posits that everyone’s individual preferences are subjective opinions that cannot be right or wrong, and therefore such matters of taste should not be argued about as there is no universal truth to be found. Usability is an important quality characteristic of software, systems, and services, and it is vital in facilitating the rich interaction between users and technology, the social systems and technical systems in the socio-technical context. Although the concept of usability has been evolving over time to match the constantly developing socio-technical landscape, many developers, managers and users still view usability as a subjective matter of taste, therefore undermining its importance. This position paper highlights the importance of separating subjective characteristics related to user satisfaction in usability and user interface design, such as look and feel, from universal characteristics of good design. By drawing parallels between the concept of usability and the Vitruvian architectural design principle of venustas or beauty, this paper argues that usability and user interface design can be more objectively characterized through concepts of universal beauty such as symmetry and harmony, while the more subjective matters of taste could be better encompassed by the user experience and service design. Furthermore, this paper discusses the relationships between user interface design, usability, user experience, and service design