Focus and Attention Design

Design interfaces that help people maintain focus on their task by removing unnecessary distractions and giving users control over their attention environment.

Core Principle

Every element on screen should serve the user's current task. If it exists for the business but not for the user, it is a distraction.

Design Patterns

Single Purpose

• One primary action per screen or section
• Secondary actions visually de-emphasised (smaller, muted colour, text link)
• Remove decorative elements that don't serve the task
• Hide advanced options behind "Show more" or "Advanced"
• Present choices sequentially, not simultaneously, when possible