Cognitive load

We live in a time when many of our daily activities and habits are related to technology. As soon as we wake up, social media, work emails, and funny cat videos start fighting for our attention. In fact, a study by Prof. Dr. Martin Korte showed that digital media makes us more prone to multitasking.^[1] In turn, this affects our attention span, concentration, and the capacity of our working memory.

Every time we open a website or an application, our brain has to process tons of information to help us complete a task. But the more information we receive, the harder it gets for our brain to process it. If the cognitive load gets too high, the brain slows down its activity and forces us to abandon the task.

What can cause a high cognitive load in design?

• Too many options
• Tasks that require too much thought
• Lack of clarity
• Visual clutter