Cognitive load
Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information and complete tasks. In user interface design, managing cognitive load is crucial for creating intuitive and efficient experiences. By reducing cognitive load, we can help users focus on their primary tasks without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
We'll cover patterns that can help reduce cognitive load in your design:
Each of these patterns offers unique strategies to organize and present information in ways that minimize mental effort and maximize user efficiency.
As we explore each pattern, we'll use this cluttered and overwhelming Cluster dashboard as a starting point, demonstrating how different cognitive load reduction techniques can dramatically improve its usability and user experience.
Let's dive into our first pattern: Pagination and infinite scroll.