Mental models/Spatial Memory
Flow & Navigation

Spatial Memory

The type of memory responsible for recording information about one's environment and spatial orientation. In interfaces, consistent layout leverages spatial memory to reduce navigation effort.

In plain language

People remember where things are on a screen, not just what they are. Consistent placement reduces reorientation cost on every visit.

In the wild

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

Related modelsFlow & Navigation
Affordance
Flow & Navigation
Breadcrumbing
Flow & Navigation
Desire Lines
Flow & Navigation
Error Prevention
Flow & Navigation