Cognitive Mapping

Cognitive Mapping

Cognitive Mapping is a way designers can quickly draw out how people think about spaces, ideas, or systems, using simple shapes and lines. In Design Thinking, this helps teams see what users remember or notice first, which parts feel important, and how different ideas connect in the mind. When making a cognitive map, designers can spot gaps in what users know or find steps that feel confusing. This method is useful for planning user journeys, organizing websites, or even sketching out how a product should work. By looking at these maps, teams can make better choices about what to design next and how to make things easier for people to use.

user experience, mental models, design thinking process, visual mapping

— Kevin Green