The 5 Elements of UX Design

The 5 Elements of UX Design serve as a foundational guide for designers, outlining the essential layers that every design project should encompass.

1. Strategy: This is the foundation of any project, focusing on user research, understanding stakeholders and clients, and defining project goals. It captures the overarching purpose and objectives of the design.
2. Scope: At this stage, the focus shifts to defining what is needed for the product, including features, functionality, and the platforms it will be designed for.
3. Structure: This involves organising the scope through processes such as information architecture and site maps, ensuring the content and features are logically arranged.
4. Skeleton: Here, the visual and functional framework comes into play. It includes elements like navigation, button placement, and wireframes, setting the groundwork for the user interface.
5. Surface: This is the final, most tangible layer—what the user directly interacts with. It includes the visual and sensory design, creating an engaging and cohesive experience.

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Although I had a general understanding of these concepts, seeing them clearly laid out in this model has deepened my appreciation for their importance. I’ve realised that I sometimes rush into the visual aspects of design during university projects, which can lead to inefficiencies. However, applying this structured approach has helped me stay on track and make more informed decisions. This has reinforced the value of taking a methodical, step-by-step approach in UX design.

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Universal Design vs. Accessible Design

This week’s lecture introduced a concept that I found particularly thought-provoking: the distinction between Universal Design and Accessible Design. It’s a topic I hadn’t deeply considered before, so I decided to explore it further.

Accessible Design involves adding features to make a product usable by people with specific needs. In contrast, Universal Design starts with the intention of creating something that works for everyone from the outset. A clear example is the difference between installing a chair lift next to a staircase (accessible design) and designing a ramp instead of stairs (universal design). The latter ensures inclusivity without making certain users feel like an afterthought.

This idea resonates strongly with me because it highlights the importance of inclusivity from the very beginning of the design process. Adding accessibility features later may address usability gaps, but designing universally from the start avoids those gaps altogether.

To deepen my understanding, I explored the 7 Principles of Universal Design, and one principle that stood out to me was Flexibility in Use. This principle emphasises designing products that can adapt to different users’ needs, such as accommodating both left- and right-handed individuals.

This was an eye-opener because I hadn’t thought much about how flexibility could enhance UX design. While features like light and dark modes are now standard for adaptability, other considerations, such as left- and right-handed modes, are still rare. These could be crucial for tasks like one-handed phone use, especially for users with physical limitations or specific preferences.