{"id":16735,"date":"2022-09-13T08:30:22","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/?p=16735"},"modified":"2022-09-13T08:30:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:30:25","slug":"balancing-cognitive-load-and-discoverability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/articles\/balancing-cognitive-load-and-discoverability","title":{"rendered":"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"c37d\">When we\u2019re designing an app\u2019s information architecture, whether we\u2019re aware of it or now, we draw a line between the discoverability of options and cognitive load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"fea5\">In order words, we\u2019re thinking about the information density of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"adf5\">Less is usually more<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5fc5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uxdesign.cc\/user-experience-and-perception-when-less-is-more-f7939943b2e9\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">I\u2019ve spoken<\/a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usability.gov\/what-and-why\/information-architecture.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reducing cognitive load<\/a>&nbsp;in the past and how it helps user interfaces seem easier to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"15f1\">Yet, as with all things in life though, focusing exclusively on reducing the number of options comes with a tradeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"e672\">Keeping cognitive load to a minimum can get in the way of&nbsp;discoverability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"d39f\">Information Architecture &amp; Cognitive Load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"63b5\">An abundance of options demands higher mental effort and is traditionally regarded as&nbsp;<em>bad design<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"1044\">The high cognitive load&nbsp;comes primarily from a high number of options arranged in a&nbsp;flat-hierarchy&nbsp;architecture, also commonly known as&nbsp;index page architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"b621\">It\u2019s one of the most common information architecture patterns on the web<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"707\" src=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-1-1024x707.png\" alt=\"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability\" class=\"wp-image-16737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-1-1024x707.png 1024w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-1-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-1-768x531.png 768w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-1.png 1051w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5af1\">Taken to an extreme, can result in things like the overwhelming interfaces from the 90s and early 2000s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-2.png\" alt=\"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability\" class=\"wp-image-16739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-2.png 796w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-2-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-2-768x579.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"9a96\">Low cognitive load&nbsp;is typically achieved by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.edorozco.com\/user-experience-and-cognitive-load-when-less-is-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hiding away non-essential information<\/a>, which results in one of the various types of staggered-hierarchy architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"7e89\">Examples of staggered architecture are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webfx.com\/blog\/web-design\/information-architecture-101-techniques-and-best-practices\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Strict Hierarchy Pattern<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webfx.com\/blog\/web-design\/information-architecture-101-techniques-and-best-practices\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Co-Existing Hierarchies Pattern<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"e782\">A lot has been written about these types of architecture. Feel free to review the links at the bottom of the article to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"823\" height=\"859\" src=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-3.png\" alt=\"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability\" class=\"wp-image-16740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-3.png 823w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-3-287x300.png 287w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-3-768x802.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 823px) 100vw, 823px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ffa6\">Staggered vs Flat Information Hierarchies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"1ee5\">Let\u2019s take a look at the two architectural approaches and their tradeoffs more in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-4-1024x541.png\" alt=\"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability\" class=\"wp-image-16741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-4-1024x541.png 1024w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-4-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-4-768x406.png 768w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-4.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"d348\">The case for a flat hierarchy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"dbca\">If we go for a completely flat hierarchy we risk overwhelming the user with too many options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hick%27s_law\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Hick\u2019s law<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;dictates that too many options will impair the user\u2019s ability to make a choice. It induces decision paralysis.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"7c67\">A flat hierarchy, however, exposes the user to many features as they lay bare. To an extent, it helps with discoverability as long as the amount of information doesn\u2019t become overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a1d8\">The case for a staggered hierarchy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"258d\">If we minimize the number of options \u2014 through&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/progressive-disclosure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">progressive disclosure<\/a> techniques, for example \u2014 we reduce cognitive load. That\u2019s good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"cf7a\">But a careless application of progressive disclosure techniques comes at a cost. It increases the number of layers in the architecture, making it more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>Multi-layered information architectures force the user to learn and remember under which menu each option might be.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"d246\">Solution \u2014 What to do instead<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>Know thy customer<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"1a30\">If you\u2019ve been designing for a while this won\u2019t surprise you at all. Knowing how your customer can help you determine a couple of key things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>How your customer reacts to varying levels of information density<\/li><li>What elements in your product are most important to them<\/li><li>Which navigation and organization patterns are they familiar with<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9294\">Conclusion \u2014 When to use which<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"8e2b\">A more complex information architecture can be useful if you rank pieces of information from more to least important. Exercises such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/card-sorting-definition\/#:~:text=Card%20sorting%20is%20a%20highly,of%20view%20of%20your%20company.\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">card sorting<\/a>&nbsp;can be very useful for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"375c\">It is also manageable if you adhere to widely common patterns. E.g. Changing my password should be under \u201cMy Account\u201d or \u201cSettings\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-5-1024x686.png\" alt=\"Balancing Cognitive Load and Discoverability\" class=\"wp-image-16742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-5-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-5-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-5-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/uxmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Balancing-Cognitive-Load-and-Discoverability-image-5.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"84f0\">With these two things, you can<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>More sophisticated users may deal very well with higher levels of information density<\/li><li>Users with pre-existing compatible conceptual models<\/li><li>Progressive discovery to ease them in into a greater number of options until they feel comfortable<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"f1c0\">You may also explore alternative architectural patterns such as the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/edutechwiki.unige.ch\/en\/Information_architecture#Hub-and-spoke_.2F_Daisy\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Daisy model<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/a>in which the user always returns to a base point after completing tasks. The Daisy model is common in web-based applications and video games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"81ae\">Balancing cognitive load and information density requires a lot of skill and deep knowledge of your customer but the rewards can more than makeup for the extra effort \u270c\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2cfc\">Further reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.altexsoft.com\/blog\/uxdesign\/information-architecture\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.altexsoft.com\/blog\/uxdesign\/information-architecture\/<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webfx.com\/blog\/web-design\/information-architecture-101-techniques-and-best-practices\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.webfx.com\/blog\/web-design\/information-architecture-101-techniques-and-best-practices\/<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uxplanet.org\/information-architecture-effective-techniques-for-designers-3c993956b1e1\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/uxplanet.org\/information-architecture-effective-techniques-for-designers-3c993956b1e1<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usability.gov\/what-and-why\/information-architecture.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.usability.gov\/what-and-why\/information-architecture.html<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tubikstudio.com\/information-architecture-basics-for-designers\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/blog.tubikstudio.com\/information-architecture-basics-for-designers\/<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/progressive-disclosure\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/progressive-disclosure\/<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/edutechwiki.unige.ch\/en\/Information_architecture#Hub-and-spoke_.2F_Daisy\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/edutechwiki.unige.ch\/en\/Information_architecture#Hub-and-spoke_.2F_Daisy<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we\u2019re designing an app\u2019s information architecture, whether we\u2019re aware of it or now, we draw a line between the discoverability of options and cognitive load. In order words, we\u2019re thinking about the information density of the product. Less is usually more I\u2019ve spoken&nbsp;about&nbsp;reducing cognitive load&nbsp;in the past and how it helps user interfaces seem<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2559,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"topics":[3,149,25,28,29,30,73,2909,116,121,122],"class_list":{"0":"post-16735","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-uncategorized","7":"topics-accessibility","8":"topics-behavioral-science","9":"topics-customer-experience","10":"topics-design","11":"topics-design-theory","12":"topics-design-tools-and-software","13":"topics-neurology","14":"topics-neuroscience","15":"topics-usability","16":"topics-ux-education","17":"topics-ux-magazine","18":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - 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