Cognitive Load

Cognitive load is the total amount of mental effort being used in a person's working memory. It's a measure of how much information a person can hold and process at one time.

In user experience design, the goal is to minimize cognitive load to make interfaces easier to use. When an interface is complex or confusing, it increases cognitive load, which can lead to errors, frustration, and abandonment of the task.

Techniques to reduce cognitive load include:

• Simplifying interfaces: Removing unnecessary elements and options.
• Breaking down tasks: Decomposing complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Providing clear instructions: Guiding users through the interface with clear and concise language.
• Leveraging familiar patterns: Using established design conventions that users already understand.

Hick's Law is directly related to cognitive load, as it states that the time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices. By reducing the number of choices, we can reduce cognitive load and improve the user experience.