Chunked lists
Chunked lists are a design pattern that breaks down long lists of information into smaller, more manageable groups or "chunks." This approach helps reduce cognitive load by organizing information in a way that's easier for users to process and remember.
Benefits and Use Cases
Improves comprehension. By grouping related items together, users can more easily understand the structure and relationships within the information.
Example
In Cluster, chunk content items within a project into categories like "Research Materials," "Draft Content," and "Published Articles."
Enhances scanability. Chunked lists are easier to scan quickly, helping users find specific information faster.
Example
In Cluster's search results, chunk findings into categories like "Matching Projects," "Relevant Content," and "Team Members."
Aids memory recall. Chunking information makes it easier for users to remember and recall items from the list.
Example
In Cluster's dashboard, chunk recent activities into groups like "Your Recent Actions," "Team Updates," and "AI-Generated Insights."
Reduces overwhelm. Breaking down long lists into smaller groups helps prevent users from feeling overwhelmed by large amounts of information.
Example
In Cluster's content library, chunk articles into groups based on topics or themes, rather than presenting a long, undifferentiated list.
Psychological Principles Supported
Chunking. This principle directly applies here - our brains are better at processing and remembering information when it's grouped into meaningful units.
Example
In Cluster's project overview, chunk task lists into groups like "To Do," "In Progress," and "Completed" to help users better process and remember their workload.
Miller's Law. This principle suggests that the average person can only keep 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their working memory. Chunking helps work within this limitation.
Example
In Cluster's main navigation, group features into no more than 5-9 main categories to align with Miller's Law.
Gestalt Principle of Proximity. Items that are close together are perceived as more related than items that are farther apart.
Example
In Cluster's content editor, visually chunk related formatting options together (e.g., text styling in one group, alignment in another) to make the toolbar easier to use.
Implementation Guidelines
DON'T
Create chunks that are too large, which can defeat the purpose of chunking
Use arbitrary or confusing groupings that don't align with user expectations
Overuse chunking on short lists where it's not necessary
Neglect to provide a way to view all items at once if users need that option
Forget to consider how chunking will work across different screen sizes and devices
DO
Group items based on logical categories or relationships
Use clear headings or visual separators to distinguish between chunks
Keep chunk sizes manageable (typically 5-9 items per chunk)
Ensure that the chunking method makes sense for your specific content and user needs
Consider allowing users to customize how items are chunked, if appropriate