Design principles for reducing cognitive load
Seven principles for reducing the mental effort required when using websites, helping users stay focused on their goals.
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Avoid unnecessary elements
Every element not helping users achieve their goal works against them. Avoid excessive colours, imagery, and flourishes—but don’t sacrifice clarity for simplicity.
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Leverage common design patterns
Familiar patterns reduce learning. When users already understand how something works, they can focus on their goal instead of the interface.
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Eliminate unnecessary tasks
Reading, remembering, and deciding all add cognitive load. Set sensible defaults and reuse previously entered information where possible.
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Minimize choices
Too many options cause decision paralysis. Reduce the choices users must make at any moment, especially in navigation and forms.
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Display choices as a group
When choices are split and hidden, users mistake visible options for the complete set. Show all options together so users can compare.
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Strive for readability
Legibility isn’t enough—content must be readable. Typography should be pleasing and appropriate, with design remaining relatively invisible.
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Use iconography with caution
Most icons require mental processing to interpret. Accompany icons with text labels to reduce ambiguity, except for universally understood symbols.