This article reviews research pertaining to the use aesthetics design, and usability in education. This article focuses on defining the role of visual elements and aesthetics in the user interface while exploring the importance of their application in a web-based learning environment. Research demonstrates that aesthetics are pivotal in influencing a user's response to products and websites. Users draw upon aesthetic factors to judge usability and credibility. In the technology setting of web-based learning environments, it is important for educational institutions and faculty to consider the instructional function of visual content and the aesthetic judgments reflected by learners. The incorporation of visual content and applying aesthetic standards to web-based instruction can ultimately improve not only the visual appearance of course content but can also improve how learners react to and interact with the instruction.