Cognitive overload happens when your working memory receives more information than it can handle comfortably, leading to frustration and comprised decision-making.īut what does that mean, really? What exactly is working memory? And what does this have to do with design? The first step is to understand the origin of cognitive load theory. (Image: Dierk Schaefer) ( View large version) The Scientific Roots Of Cognitive OverloadĬognitive load refers to the total amount of information your working memory can handle. First, we need to explain what exactly in our brains is at risk of being overloaded. This excessive thinking is called cognitive overload, and here we’ll explain how you can avoid it. Even momentary pauses are enough to rip users back into the reality that they’re sitting in front of their computer. A user who feels confused by the options, the interface, the navigation and so on will likely feel overwhelmed in their thinking process. Complicated and confusing interfaces force users to find solutions to problems that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Luke Wroblewski, Product Director at GoogleĪfter all, consider the alternative. Rather than forcing people to divert their attention from their primary task, come to where they are.” It takes a lot of effort to shift the course of something with that much momentum. “Getting in the way of a speeding freight train usually doesn’t end well. Your job, as a designer, is to give them a straight path to their goal by clearing out the obstacles beforehand. The less users have to think about the interface or design, the more they can focus on accomplishing their goal on your website. If the user experience design does what it’s supposed to do, the user won’t notice any of the work that went into it. It appears smooth and simple on the surface, but hundreds of crucial design decisions have been made to guide, entertain and prevent trouble. The best user experience is the one the user doesn’t notice.
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