IMO, most people, new, old, people on this board, etc... care about the way a good looks at some level. As many people have said, in this day and age, you can find such a variety that fit the 'function' part of the equation, that it comes down to other factors such as looks and cost (even if it at a very basic level of stainless vs blued or walnut vs cherry grips).
Now, as to the OP, from my experience, I would say no, most new shooter are not enamored more by what the firearm looks like rather than what it's capability's are. It may play a bigger role for a new shoot that a 'old' shoot, but I still don't think it carries more weight that function.
We were all new to guns at one point. Can any of us really say at that point in our lives (whenever that was) looks did not play a part?
And for the record, I've bought a couple guns simply because of their looks. They weren't for defense (home or carry), or because they shot well, but simply for the 'neat' factor.