detailidel

Detailidel is a neologism used in discussions of design, information architecture, and cognitive psychology to denote a tendency to overemphasize fine-grained details at the expense of broader context or user objectives.

Origin and etymology are uncertain; the term appears in online discussions and design blogs from the 2010s, formed by combining 'detail' with a suffix reminiscent of 'idol' or 'ideel', signaling an overvaluation of minutiae.

In practice, a detailidel approach can lead to information overload, slowed decision making, and misalignment with user needs. It is often contrasted with big-picture or systems thinking, and with design approaches that foreground task flows, accessibility, and scalability.

Examples include exhaustive specification of interface pixels and typography while neglecting user tasks; or constant iteration on small visual variations without validating impact on usability.

Reception is mixed: some scholars warn it describes a common pitfall; others see it as a shorthand for a legitimate emphasis on craft that must be balanced with context. Related concepts include cognitive load, analysis paralysis, and design debt.