When users interact with digital products, their ability to process information shapes their experience. One key factor influencing this ability is cognitive load . Understanding cognitive load helps UX design interfaces that feel intuitive and reduce mental effort. This post explores what cognitive load means and why it matters in UX research. Understanding Cognitive Load What Is Cognitive Load? Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort required to process informa

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Understanding how much mental effort a person uses during a task is crucial for designing better learning experiences, improving user interfaces, and enhancing workplace productivity. Traditionally, time on task has served as a simple way to estimate cognitive load. However, relying solely on how long someone spends on a task can be misleading. This post explores why measuring cognitive load requires more than just tracking time and off