listhme

Listhme is a term used in discussions of information design to denote the cognitive and aesthetic effects produced when information is organized primarily as lists. It describes how lists guide attention, improve scanability, and aid recall by breaking content into discrete items that share a common structure. Advocates say listhme enhances clarity and enables rapid decision-making in digital interfaces, educational texts, and procedural materials.

Etymology and history: The term listhme was coined in the early 2020s by information designer Elena Miro, intended as a blend of list and theme (or schema). While not standardized, it has appeared in design essays, blogs, and some niche academic discourse on information architecture and user experience.

Characteristics and uses: Listhme relies on enumerated or bulleted items, parallel phrasing, and consistent item length. It often employs visual cues such as indentation, icons, or bolded headers to indicate hierarchy. Listhme is commonly used for steps, checklists, feature summaries, and digestible overviews, and can be applied across web, print, and educational settings.

Limitations and criticisms: Critics warn that overuse of listhme can oversimplify complex topics, create list fatigue, and disrupt narrative flow. Some subjects require relational or chronological structures beyond lists. Because the term remains informal, it is sometimes conflated with listicles, which emphasize entertainment or rapid consumption rather than precision.

See also: listicle; information design; cognitive load theory; outline; bullet list.