The Elemenets of User Experience and the Five Planes
In his book The Elements of User Experience Jesse James Garrett describes his theory behind creating
a good website for users. The concepts he presents in his book can help you create an organized and easy to use
website for your users. A good framework for understanding Garrett's principles are the Five Planes.
Surface
The surface plane is composed of the outer elements of the site that the user sees and can sometimes interact with. For example the images on the site, that sometimes contain links. The surface is also the design and colors of the site. This plane can be directly influenced by the skeleton and structure of the site, as form dictates appearance. However, the strategy and scope of the project are also important for dictating the requirements of the visual aspects of a site. For example, if part of your strategy is to draw young users, the surface of your site may be indicative of that in its style.
Skeleton
The skeleton plane can be understood as the placement of content and navugation elements throughout the site, the physical structure underneath the "skin" that is the surface plane.The skeleton of the site is the concrete manifestation of the more abstract structure. To use Garrett's example: "the skeleton might define the placement of the interface elements on [a] checkout page; the structure would define how users got to that page and where they would go when they were finished there" (20).
Structure
The structure plane defines the connections and distinctions between all elements of the site, as oppossed to the skeleton which defines the placement of those elements. The structure is more abstract, not creating a picture of the physical appearance of the site as the skeleton and surface do, but offering a detailed view of the connections between pieces of content that will later be made into concrete links and pages. To use another of Garrett's examples: "The skeleton might define the arrangement of navigational elements allowing the users to browse categories of products; the structure would define what those categories were" (20).
Scope
The scope plane controls the existence (or absence) of all elements of the site. Whether or not certain features appear or not is all decided by scope. This plane is in a way more abstract that structure, but also requires strict decision making. It is just as important to know what should be in a site as it is to know what should not be.
Strategy
Lastly, the strategy plane dictates scope and thus all other elements of the site. Strategy is not only about what you the creator want from the site but also what the user wants from it. Whether the site is meant for selling a product, promoting a business, or providing information both the creator and user will have objectives in mind when using the site. Both sets of objectives must be taken into account.
