Interface design is not something anyone can do, nor is it something that everyone should be encouraged to try. While it is vital not to be too ambitious, it is equally important to develop products to a quality standard compatible with the expectations of users. These days, user expectations of anything emanating from a screen tend to be high.
High standards means as good as the best and a lot better than the worst.
Good aesthetic and functional design is the key to usability and user acceptance. Don't go over the top, but don't underestimate it either. That being the case, courseware production values will inevitably be compared with those of more popular media, such as television and computer games. Low quality products will not engage the learner effectively or promote learning. On the other hand, garish or gimmicky products will encourage habituation and withdrawal.