Jesse James Garrett's famous UX onion model defines the 5 layers of user experience. All layers must be consistent for a perfect product:
5 layers of user experience:
- Strategy Layer: User needs and business goals (Why?)
- Scope Layer: Functional features and content requirements (What?)
- Structure Layer: Interaction design and information architecture (Logic)
- Skeleton Layer: Interface, navigation, and information design (Layout)
- Surface Layer: Visual design, sensory experience (Appearance)
When you experience a UX problem, determine which layer it's in. Most often, problems in visible layers stem from deficiencies in deeper layers.
Excellent user experience doesn't just start at the surface, but from the foundation.