The Five Planes of User Experience

Jesse James Garrett’s “The Elements of User Experience” provides a foundational framework for understanding and designing effective user experiences. Central to his argument is the concept of the five planes of UX, representing different levels of abstraction in the design process. These planes, progressing from abstract to concrete, are:

The Strategy Plane: This focuses on the goals, objectives, and user needs. What problem are we solving? What are the user’s motivations? This is less about the how and more about the why.
The Scope Plane: Defining the features and functionality necessary to meet the strategic goals. What content and functions will be included? What will be excluded? This stage involves careful prioritization and defining the boundaries of the project.
The Structure Plane: Organising the information architecture and interaction flow. How will the information be organized? How will users navigate between different parts of the system? This plane involves creating sitemaps, wireframes, and information architecture diagrams.

graph LR
    A[Strategy] --> B(Scope);
    B --> C(Structure);
    C --> D(Skeleton);
    D --> E(Surface);

The Skeleton Plane: This plane deals with the interface’s structure and layout. This includes wireframes showing the placement of key elements and the overall visual hierarchy. It is the blueprint for the user interface.
The Surface Plane: This represents the visual design and branding. This is where aesthetic choices are made regarding typography, color palettes, imagery, and overall visual appeal.

Key Advice and Strategies

Garrett emphasizes the importance of an approach to UX design. Ignoring any of these planes can result in a suboptimal user experience. He doesn’t advocate a strictly linear progression through these planes; iteration and feedback loops are crucial. The design process should be flexible and adaptable based on user testing and feedback.

Understanding User Needs

A recurring theme is the centrality of understanding user needs. This isn’t about guessing what users might want, but about conducting thorough user research to discover what they actually need and how they behave. Techniques like user interviews, surveys, and usability testing are essential. Garrett stresses the importance of empathizing with users and understanding their context of use.

Information Architecture and Navigation

The book dedicates considerable attention to information architecture (IA). Effective IA is important for usability. Poorly organized information frustrates users and makes it difficult to find what they need. Garrett advises considering different methods for organizing information, such as alphabetical, hierarchical, or topic-based approaches. Navigation should be intuitive and predictable. Clear labeling, consistent terminology, and effective search functionality are all key elements of a well-designed IA.

graph TD
    A[Home] --> B(Category 1);
    A --> C(Category 2);
    B --> D(Product A);
    B --> E(Product B);
    C --> F(Product C);
    C --> G(Product D);

Iterative Design and User Testing

Garrett strongly advocates for an iterative design process. The design should not be considered complete until it has been thoroughly tested with real users. Usability testing is presented as a step to identify usability issues and make necessary improvements. This iterative process allows for early identification and resolution of problems, saving time and resources in the long run. This includes incorporating feedback from user testing at each stage, not just at the end.

Visual Design and Branding

While acknowledging the importance of visual design, Garrett stresses that it shouldn’t overshadow other elements. Visual design is important to creating a positive and engaging experience, but it must support the underlying structure and functionality. The visual elements must align with the overall brand identity and contribute to a user experience. He argues against focusing solely on aesthetics without considering the functionality and usability of the design.

Actionable Steps for Improved Life

The principles outlined in “The Elements of User Experience” are not limited to website or software design; they are applicable to any situation where interaction design is important. Consider these to improve various aspects of your life:

Goal Setting: Apply the strategy plane to your personal goals. Clearly define what you want to achieve and why. This clarity will provide focus and motivation.
Prioritization: Use the scope plane to prioritize tasks and responsibilities. Focus on the most important things and eliminate unnecessary distractions.
Organization: Apply the structure plane to organize your personal life. Develop systems for managing your time, finances, and belongings.
Process Improvement: Use iterative design and user testing (yourself as the user) to optimize your daily routines and workflows. Experiment, test, and adjust your strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Communication: Apply the principles of user-centered design to your communication. Consider your audience, their needs, and the best way to convey your message.

Conclusion

The Elements of User Experience provides a detailed and practical framework for designing effective user experiences. Its principles extend beyond digital products and apply to various aspects of life. By understanding the five planes of UX and the importance of user-centered design, one can improve various aspects of their life, from personal productivity to professional success and meaningful relationships. The book’s enduring value lies in its ability to provide a clear and structured approach to problem-solving and design thinking, applicable in any context requiring careful consideration of user needs and efficient task completion. By focusing on user needs, iterative design, and clear communication, the principles in the book can help individuals and organizations create better experiences and achieve their goals.