Reduce cognitive load in interfaces

Explain cognitive load and reduce UI/UX mental demand

Reducing extraneous cognitive load in interfaces and onboarding via chunking, progressive disclosure, and defaults rather than generic UX advice.

• · Interface design, onboarding flow, or information system description

• · Cognitive load analysis (intrinsic, germane, extraneous)
• · Design recommendations to reduce load
• · Applied patterns (chunking, progressive disclosure, smart defaults)

• · Design or flow is clearly described (spatial layout or sequential steps)

• · Design intent unclear → ask clarifying questions
• · Load reduction conflicts with feature requirements → document trade-off

• · Grounded in Sweller's cognitive load theory (1988)
• · Separates three load types (intrinsic/germane/extraneous)
• · Provides anti-patterns and metrics (task completion, time on task, error rate, NASA-TLX)