This design method can change your UX Game

Noble Babu
Bootcamp
Published in
3 min readJul 25, 2023

Picture this: You land on a website or open a shiny new app, and it feels like an old friend warmly welcoming you. That’s no coincidence; it’s the result of expertly applied Cognitive Design principles.

Cognitive design in UX

What is this method?

Cognitive Design is like the wizard’s wand that combines psychology, science, and art, allowing us to create user experiences that are simply easy for users. It’s about understanding how our minds work and using that knowledge to design products that effortlessly connect with users. It’s a fusion of wisdom, empathy, and creativity that brings joy and meaning to every interaction. OK — enough with the poetic words! Let me be more clear...

The Google way

In the early days, other search engines bombarded users with overwhelming lists of results. But Google took a different approach. They understood that users wanted simplicity, clarity, and relevant results. Leveraging the principles of Cognitive Design, Google created an interface that displayed only the most important information, making search effortless and intuitive.

This magical transformation allowed users to find what they were looking for with ease, and Google quickly became the go-to search engine for millions. It’s no wonder that today, “Google it” has become synonymous with searching for information online. All thanks to the power of Cognitive Design!

Google changed the way we use the internet

How can we use Cognitive Design?

Now, it’s time for you, my talented designers, to harness the magic of Cognitive Design and weave extraordinary user experiences of your own. These are the secrets that will guide you on your journey:

  1. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Embrace the power of simplicity. Remove complexities and distractions, presenting only what is truly essential. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
  2. Empathy — The Key to Connection: Step into the shoes of your users, as if you were a magical shape-shifter. Feel their pains, hopes, and dreams. By understanding their needs and desires, you can create experiences that resonate deeply.
  3. Surprise and Delight: Life is too short for boring designs! Infuse your creations with unexpected moments of joy, laughter, and whimsy. Like a mischievous pixie, sprinkle your designs with delightful surprises that captivate your users’ hearts.
  4. Test, Iterate, and Transform: Remember, every great magician perfects their spells through practice. Test your designs, gather feedback, and iterate until you create something truly magical. Embrace change as the fuel that drives your creative evolution.

The result?

Digital products that leave users spellbound and satisfied, conquering the ever-changing digital realm with ease! Cognitive Design is like a superpower for designers, enabling them to create mind-blowing user experiences! By tapping into the secrets of psychology and neuroscience, designers can whip up intuitive interfaces with captivating visuals.

I hope this article has inspired you to do or learn something new. I appreciate you reading this till the end and good luck on your journey.

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Noble Babu
Bootcamp

Your UX Designer friend 👋 Let's learn something new here everyday. Connect with me on linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenoblebabu/