Age-Sensitive Interface Design: Effects of Search Layout and Visual Presentation on Older Adults’ Performance, Usability, and Cognitive Load

As the global population continues to age, older adults increasingly encounter challenges when interacting with digital technologies. This study examines how different search layouts influence older users’ operational performance, usability and cognitive load in mobile interfaces. The study was conducted in China from March 2025 to April 2026, the research employed a 3 × 3 mixed-factor experimental design. The results indicate that realistic visual presentations achieved the best overall performance across all evaluated dimensions. Although the list layout reduced task completion time, the effect size was small; however, it received higher usability compared to other visual presentations. In addition, realistic visual styles significantly reduced cognitive load compared with wireframe designs. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrating concrete visual representations with well-structured layouts substantially enhances the interactive experience for older users in mobile interfaces. This study provides empirical evidence and practical guidance for age-friendly mobile interface design.