Cognitive Ergonomics

Your constantly-updated definition of Cognitive Ergonomics and collection of videos and articles

84 shares

What is Cognitive Ergonomics?

Cognitive ergonomics is the field of study that focuses on how well the use of a product matches the cognitive capabilities of users. It draws on knowledge of human perception, mental processing, and memory. Rather than being a design discipline, it is a source of knowledge for designers to use as guidelines for ensuring good usability.

Cognitive ergonomics mainly focuses on work activities which:

have an emphasized cognitive component (e.g., calculation, decision-making)
are in safety-critical environments
are in a complex, changeable environment (i.e., where tasks cannot be predetermined)

The first domains investigated by cognitive ergonomics were nuclear power plants, air traffic control systems, and medical anesthetics. Those situations feature complex environments (e.g., where there are many controls and switches—or many factors—coming into play) and where exceptional focus is needed so as to make decisions in potentially life-threatening situations. In the years following, many studies were conducted in “softer” domains such as banking, office work and leisure activities. The principles proved transferable between such environments.

Central to cognitive ergonomics is the notion of domain: the larger environment in which the system must operate, presenting both constraints and opportunities for the system. The field also studies the competencies and limitations of users in their interaction with the system in general (e.g., attention, perception errors, strategies, cognitive workload). In particular, it studies the cognitive artifacts they use to achieve their goals, as well as their co-operation with other actors. As a result, each cognitive ergonomic study operates with two underlying theories (implicit or explicit): a theory about the domainand a theory about humancognition. Since cognitive ergonomics covers both realms with such immediacy and addresses the interconnectivity of factors involved in use scenarios, designing with these considerations in mind helps ensure the usability of a product.

AI for Designers

Closes in

-15

days

-21

hrs

-55

mins

-42

secs

booked

Literature on Cognitive Ergonomics

Here’s the entire UX literature on Cognitive Ergonomics by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about Cognitive Ergonomics

Take a deep dive into Cognitive Ergonomics with our course AI for Designers .

In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping the way we interact with the world, understanding the intricacies of AI is not just a skill, but a necessity for designers. The AI for Designers course delves into the heart of this game-changing field, empowering you to navigate the complexities of designing in the age of AI. Why is this knowledge vital? AI is not just a tool; it's a paradigm shift, revolutionizing the design landscape. As a designer, make sure that you not only keep pace with the ever-evolving tech landscape but also lead the way in creating user experiences that are intuitive, intelligent, and ethical.

AI for Designers is taught by Ioana Teleanu, a seasoned AI Product Designer and Design Educator who has established a community of over 250,000 UX enthusiasts through her social channel UX Goodies. She imparts her extensive expertise to this course from her experience at renowned companies like UiPath and ING Bank, and now works on pioneering AI projects at Miro.

In this course, you’ll explore how to work with AI in harmony and incorporate it into your design process to elevate your career to new heights. Welcome to a course that doesn’t just teach design; it shapes the future of design innovation.

In lesson 1, you’ll explore AI's significance, understand key terms like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Generative AI, discover AI's impact on design, and master the art of creating effective text prompts for design.

In lesson 2, you’ll learn how to enhance your design workflow using AI tools for UX research, including market analysis, persona interviews, and data processing. You’ll dive into problem-solving with AI, mastering problem definition and production ideation.

In lesson 3, you’ll discover how to incorporate AI tools for prototyping, wireframing, visual design, and UX writing into your design process. You’ll learn how AI can assist to evaluate your designs and automate tasks, and ensure your product is launch-ready.

In lesson 4, you’ll explore the designer's role in AI-driven solutions, how to address challenges, analyze concerns, and deliver ethical solutions for real-world design applications.

Throughout the course, you'll receive practical tips for real-life projects. In the Build Your Portfolio exercises, you’ll practice how to integrate AI tools into your workflow and design for AI products, enabling you to create a compelling portfolio case study to attract potential employers or collaborators.