Visual Preferences of Gen Z with and without Autism: Differences in the Application of Aesthetic Values to New Media Forms

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_12How to use a DOI?

Keywords

graphic design; visual preference; gen z; autism spectrum disorder; visual communication design

Abstract

This study discusses the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its application in the principles of inclusive instructional design in higher education environments, especially for students with ASD. The focus of the study is directed at the visual preferences of ASD students in distinguishing, understanding, and responding to visual learning media. With a qualitative and comparative approach, this study highlights how the unique characteristics of ASD students—such as difficulties in social communication, a tendency to focus on specific details, and sensory sensitivity to sound and visuals—influence their interactions in the lecture process. In this context, structured and consistent visual design is needed to reduce cognitive load and increase accessibility to academic materials. The results showed significant differences and similarities between ASD and non-ASD students in three main aspects: imagery, technical, and audience. Non-ASD students tend to prefer centered visual compositions, Mondrian and Silhouette Layout visual styles, and show emotional connection to visual content. In contrast, students with ASD showed a preference for more diverse layouts and concrete but simple visuals. Similarities were found in the preference for the use of Helvetica fonts and realistic illustrations for academic needs. Although limited to one institution and a small number of ASD participants, this research can be a basis for building cross-university collaboration to realize inclusive higher education, especially through the role of visual communication design science.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Candy Sonia
AU  - Sari Wulandari
AU  - Witono Petrus Hepi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/18
TI  - Visual Preferences of Gen Z with and without Autism: Differences in the Application of Aesthetic Values to New Media Forms
BT  - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition of Innovation in Media and Visual Design (IMDES 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 143
EP  - 150
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_12
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_12
ID  - Sonia2026
ER  -