Every time you open an app, scroll through a website, or manage a cluster of browser tabs, your brain is doing more than you realise. It’s not just clicking and scrolling — it’s building a mental map of a hidden digital landscape. These internal representations, called cognitive maps, shape how we navigate, find information, and make sense of complex digital worlds.
In this episode of HCI Explained, we explore the fascinating role of cognitive maps in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Originally studied in psychology to explain how humans and animals navigate physical spaces, cognitive maps now help us understand how people orient themselves in vast digital environments.
🔎 What you’ll learn in this episode:
How cognitive maps, once tied to navigating cities and physical spaces, now extend to digital platforms.
Everyday examples: feeling lost in a sea of tabs, learning the layout of a new app, or remembering where settings are in your phone’s OS.
How users build these maps through repetition, patterns, cultural conventions, and landmarks like icons, menus, and breadcrumbs.
The difference between good design (that supports mental mapping with clarity and consistency) versus poor design (that leads to confusion, frustration, and abandonment).
How disorientation in digital spaces mirrors being lost in real ones — and why that costs time, energy, and trust.
Design strategies to support user maps: clear landmarks, predictable layouts, and consistency across contexts.
Future frontiers: how AR and VR extend physical navigation into virtual environments, how AI may serve as adaptive “guides,” and the ethical questions of whether designers should empower exploration or funnel behaviour.
💡 Why this matters
Cognitive maps explain why some interfaces feel intuitive while others leave us struggling. They reveal how design choices directly affect user orientation, memory, and satisfaction. Understanding cognitive maps can revolutionise the way we design digital spaces — making them more navigable, humane, and empowering.
By the end of this episode, you’ll see that you’re not just “using” apps and websites — you’re exploring invisible landscapes your brain is constantly mapping.
🎧 HCI Explained is your guide to uncovering the hidden principles that shape our interactions with technology.
