Cognitive Overhead, Or Why Your Product Isn’t As Simple As You Think
> There isn’t yet much written about cognitive overhead in our field<p>Couldn't disagree more. Cognitive load is a major element of information architecture and even has an explicit representation in flow charts. Any book on information architecture or UX is half about it.<p>Many if not most decisions in interface design and IA are based on estimating (and reducing) cognitive load - how many options/buttons to present, how deep navigation should go, how to group things, splitting up an action flow in order to reduce the memory/choices needed...<p>The example given for QR codes is also wrong - "So it’s a barcode? No? ..." - it <i>is</i> a barcode and you need a barcode scanner/app, everyone knows how barcodes work. QR codes are not the best thing around, but IMO they didn't catch on for a lack of interest from manufacturers (no native support), not because it's overly complex.