Every interaction a user has with your interface requires mental processing—this is cognitive load. As UX designers, our goal is to minimize unnecessary cognitive burden.
Three types of cognitive load impact users:
- Intrinsic load: The inherent complexity of the task itself
- Extraneous load: Unnecessary processing caused by poor design
- Germane load: The good kind—effort that helps users learn and build mental models
Practical ways to reduce cognitive load:
- Chunking: Break complex information into digestible groups
- Progressive disclosure: Reveal information only when needed
- Recognition over recall: Show options instead of making users remember
- Consistent patterns: Leverage existing mental models
- Clear hierarchy: Guide users through visual organization
- Meaningful defaults: Reduce decision fatigue
- Error prevention: Help users avoid mistakes before they happen
Research shows that reducing cognitive load can improve task completion rates by up to 89% and significantly increase user satisfaction.
Remember: The best interface is often the one that users don't even notice because it feels effortless.