Can you think like a learning experience designer?
Cognitive friction occurs when unclear instructions, unnecessary complexity, or poorly presented information make a task harder to learn or perform.
In this interactive exercise, you'll examine a fictional healthcare registration interface and identify four design decisions that increase mental effort. Healthcare is only our example: the same principles apply to banking, insurance, education, government services, and workplace onboarding.
Your role is the designer, not the registration clerk. You won't be asked to register a patient. Instead, you'll spot barriers, consider their impact, and compare the original interface with an improved alternative after checking each answer.
Fictional training example, not a real patient record or clinical workflow. The interface and suggested improvements are illustrative, not official hospital procedures.
Examine the interface
SIMULATED SCREENPAT REG / DATA ENTRY / ALL FIELDS
Complete required items and validate per policy. Codes: V/ID, MRN, PR, DOB, IN, A, OVR.
Other tasks: Scheduling | Billing | Reports | Inbox | Tools
Check an answer to unlock the improved design.