Mental models/Signal vs Noise
Cognitive Load & Information Processing

Signal vs Noise

The principle that interface elements should be evaluated by whether they contribute meaningful information (signal) or create unnecessary distraction (noise).

In plain language

Every element either helps the user do what they came to do or gets in the way. There is no neutral.

In the wild

Implementations of this model aren’t wired to this view yet — they live in the implementations table.

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