The Elements of User Experience (LAYERS!)

Summary

In his 2002 book, "The Elements of User Experience," Jesse James Garrett outlines a five-layer model for user experience design: Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, and Surface. Each layer builds upon the previous one, addressing critical aspects like user needs, functional requirements, content organization, interface layout, and visual design. Garrett emphasizes the importance of deep engagement with these layers to create meaningful user experiences, encouraging designers to question assumptions, collaborate with teams, and ensure products are innovative, feasible, desirable, and sustainable. This comprehensive approach is crucial for delivering effective and engaging digital products.

Takeaways

• 😀 The five-layer model of user experience design includes strategy, scope, structure, skeleton, and surface, with each layer supporting the one above it.
• 🤔 Strategy is the foundational layer, focusing on defining the product's purpose, target audience, and success metrics.
• 🔍 Key questions for the strategy layer include understanding user needs, business objectives, and whether the product is innovative, feasible, desirable, and sustainable.
• 🚧 Scope is critical to avoid project pitfalls such as slipping deadlines and overblown expectations, emphasizing the need to clarify functional requirements.
• 📚 In the scope layer, designers should determine what functionalities are necessary and what content will be included in the product.
• 🗺️ Structure outlines the expected user journey and information architecture, stressing the importance of testing assumptions about user interactions.
• 🔑 At the skeleton layer, designers optimize the layout and arrangement of elements to enhance usability and facilitate user navigation.
• 🎨 The surface layer involves the visual and sensory aspects of the product, focusing on legibility, aesthetics, and user interaction elements.
• 🔄 Designers should aim for deeper layer penetration by understanding underlying business needs and validating assumptions through user testing.
• 🏆 The ultimate goal of user experience design is to create meaningful experiences for users, emphasizing that a well-designed product cannot be saved by mere aesthetics.

Q & A

What are the five layers of user experience as described by Jesse James Garrett?

The five layers are Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, and Surface, each layer supporting the one above it.

What is the primary purpose of the Strategy layer?

The Strategy layer defines the reason for the product, the target users, their needs, business objectives, and how success will be measured.

What critical questions should be asked in the Strategy layer?

Questions include: Who are our users? What are their needs? What are our business objectives? How do we measure success? Is the product innovative, feasible, desirable, and sustainable?

Why is scoping important in user experience design?

Scoping helps avoid issues like slipping deadlines, unanswered questions, and overblown expectations by clearly defining functional requirements and what the product needs to do.

What does the Structure layer focus on?

The Structure layer focuses on the user journey and the organization of content, ensuring that the product meets users' needs through effective information architecture.

What is the role of the Skeleton layer in design?

The Skeleton layer optimizes the arrangement of elements such as layout, position, and grouping to enhance user experience and ensure important features are easily accessible.

What type of design elements are included in the Surface layer?

The Surface layer includes sensory design elements like text, photos, icons, logos, and illustrations, combining both functional and aesthetic aspects.

What does the speaker mean by 'deeper layer penetration' in design?

'Deeper layer penetration' refers to understanding the underlying business needs, validating assumptions through user tests, and addressing fundamental problems in the design process.

Can work on the different layers be conducted simultaneously?

Yes, work on multiple layers can be conducted concurrently, but it is essential to avoid skipping directly to the upper layers without addressing the foundational ones.

What is the significance of testing assumptions during the design process?

Testing assumptions is crucial to ensure that the product design aligns with actual user needs and behaviors, preventing costly mistakes and enhancing user satisfaction.