The master’s thesis examined the relationship between usability, aesthetic appeal and perceived value in the design of printed manuals, with a focus on the influence of aesthetic metrics such as visual complexity and prototipicality. It was based on the assumption that traditional design approaches increase usability, while experimental approaches enhance aesthetic appeal and perceived value. The aim of the research was to compare the user experience between a traditionally designed and (prototype A) and experimentally designed (prototype B) cookbook, and to determine whether an optimal balance between aesthetics and usability in printed manuals can be defined. The hypothesis were formulated regarding the relationship between aesthetic expressiveness and the observed values (usability, aesthetic appeal and perceived value), which enabled us the systematic development of a research model. An experimental approach was established using two designed cookbook prototypes and testing through an online questionnaire, in which participants evaluated the observed values based on criteria defined in the research model. The analysis of results was based on the arithmetic mean, standard deviation and Spearman's correlation coefficient. The results showed that prototype A (traditional) achieved higher usability, perceived value and overall beauty, while prototype B (experimental) stood out in originality and aesthetic value, but with a greater variation in responses. In prototype B, a strong relationship was observed between aesthetic appeal, willingness to pay, and symbolic value, especially in relation to innovativeness. It was found that higher visual complexity increases visual appeal and perceived value only to a certain extent, while it reduces usability. The thesis confirms that increasing aesthetic expressiveness enhances perceived value, but at the same time limits usability; therefore, the balance between the two should be adjusted according to the purpose of the product, context and users.
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