Mind Metrics
Tanya
Author
My work at MindZug is clear: turn chaotic ideas into simple and effective decisions. This means that every new feature we come up with must pass through the filter of a single question: does it really help the player improve their visualization ability?
Visualization is an intangible skill, and measuring its improvement can be complex. It's easy to fall into the vanity metrics trap, such as the amount of time spent in the app or how many exercises were completed. But that doesn't actually tell us if deeper calculation is happening.
At MindZug, our metrics are based on effective cognitive load. By adjusting difficulty levels (hidden pieces, piece density, position complexity), we observe the breaking point where one stops memorizing and starts actively visualizing.
For example, when playing a game against the AI with all pieces hidden, we don't just measure whether the game is won or lost, but the frequency and severity of positional errors and from which move they start to appear. This gives us data far more useful than a simple Elo.
An effective tool is one that, by removing superfluous information, forces you to focus solely on piece placement. It simplifies the complex, which is precisely the superpower we aim to apply to design.
If you're interested in improving your visualization in a guided way, focus on those tools that don't give you what you want, but what you need to force growth of your mind.