From the headline, I thought this article was going to go in exactly the opposite direction- in other words, it's possible--and even common--that something looks great and is incredibly poorly 'designed' - because design is not about looks but about being effective.
That said, pretty-ness can certainly aid in actual design if it's serving the function of making something feel easier or more compelling.
That said, pretty-ness can certainly aid in actual design if it's serving the function of making something feel easier or more compelling.