99% of Designers Don’t Follow This UX Rule – Are You One of Them?

Let’s be honest most designers focus on creating beautiful and aesthetic interfaces. After all, a visually appealing UI is what attracts users, right?

Well, not entirely.

There’s one crucial UX rule that even experienced designers often ignore, and it’s silently killing user engagement. Are you guilty of this mistake? Let’s find out!

The UX Rule That Most Designers Ignore

If you’ve ever come across a website or an app that felt overwhelming, confusing, or just plain difficult to use, chances are the designer overlooked cognitive load optimization.

What is Cognitive Load in UX?

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort a user needs to complete a task. When users have to think too hard to navigate an app, read content, or complete an action, they get frustrated and leave.

In short:

• The higher the cognitive load, the harder the experience feels.
• The lower the cognitive load, the smoother the user journey.

 
A great UX design should feel effortless almost like second nature to the user. But when designers pack too much information, too many choices, or unnecessary elements into a screen, users struggle to process everything and leave.

And that’s why reducing cognitive load is the secret sauce to great UX.

Why Do 99% of Designers Ignore This?

Because complexity feels productive.

Many designers assume that adding more features, text, buttons, or animations will improve the user experience. But in reality, it does the opposite.

Here’s what often happens:

• A designer wants to impress the user, so they add too many interactive elements.
• A product manager requests more features because they think it adds value.
• A marketing team insists on pop-ups, banners, and extra CTAs to boost conversions.

 
The result? An overwhelming, cluttered mess that confuses users.

But don’t worry! If you’ve been making this mistake, here’s how to fix it.

How to Reduce Cognitive Load in UX Design (Without Sacrificing Creativity)

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to make your UI/UX feel effortless for users:

1. Use Progressive Disclosure

Ever landed on an app that bombards you with too much information at once? Annoying, right?

Fix it: Show only the most relevant information at each stage. Reveal more details gradually as the user progresses.

Example: Netflix’s onboarding. Instead of asking for everything upfront, they gradually collect user preferences to personalize recommendations.

2. Follow the Rule of Three

The human brain loves simplicity. When presented with too many choices, users freeze this is called decision paralysis.

Fix it: Stick to three core choices wherever possible. It keeps decision-making smooth and stress-free.

Example: Apple’s product pages typically, they offer three models (e.g., iPhone Pro, iPhone, iPhone SE) instead of overwhelming users with every variation at once.

3. Prioritize Visual Hierarchy

Ever been to a website where everything screams for attention? Big text, bright colors, flashy buttons—yikes!

Fix it: Use size, contrast, and spacing to guide users naturally. The most important elements should stand out, while secondary details should be subtle.

Example: Amazon’s “Buy Now” button is bold and easy to spot, while secondary links (like “Add to Wishlist”) are less prominent.

4. Reduce Form Fields

No one enjoys filling out long, complicated forms. The more fields you add, the more drop-offs you’ll see.

Fix it: Keep forms short and ask only for essential information. Break them into steps if needed.

Example: Google’s sign-up process is split into multiple steps instead of presenting one giant form. This reduces overwhelm and increases completion rates.

5. Minimize Distractions

Too many pop-ups, auto-playing videos, and unnecessary tooltips? You’re killing the user experience.

Fix it: Remove anything that doesn’t directly help the user complete their task. Less is more!

Example: Google’s homepage—just a search bar and a logo. Simple, clean, and distraction-free.

Are You Making This Mistake? Let’s Find Out!

Take a look at your designs and ask yourself:

• Do I have too much text or cluttered visuals?
• Am I overwhelming users with too many choices?
• Are my forms too long or complicated?
• Is my UI guiding users naturally, or are they getting lost?

If you answered yes to any of these, you might be part of the 99% of designers who overlook cognitive load.

But the good news? Now you know how to fix it.

Final Thoughts: The Best UX Designs Feel Effortless

The best UX isn’t just beautiful it’s easy, intuitive, and enjoyable.

A great design doesn’t make users think it guides them naturally toward their goal. When you reduce cognitive load, users feel more in control, and they keep coming back.

Now the real question is, are you ready to break free from the 99% and design smarter?