Represent mental models in personas

Mental models are cognitive frameworks that represent users' understanding of systems based on past experiences and knowledge. By incorporating mental models, designers gain deeper insights into user behavior and expectations. Key aspects include prior experiences with similar products, domain knowledge, cultural context, and technological literacy.

Integrating mental models in personas allows designers to create intuitive interfaces aligned with user expectations and develop targeted onboarding experiences.^[1]

Mental model-enriched personas help designers:

• Identify where users need guidance
• Determine necessary onboarding steps
• Decide when to conform to established patterns or introduce novel interactions