The Elements of Product Design: A Modern Reinterpretation
In the dynamic world of product design, understanding the foundational layers that contribute to a successful user experience is crucial.
As a UX designer with many years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-structured approach can transform a product from merely functional to truly exceptional.
Today, I want to delve into a reinterpretation of Jesse James Garrett’s seminal work, “The Elements of User Experience,” and adapt it to the modern product design landscape.
A Stack of Decisions, Not Just a Process
Jamie Mill’s reimagining of Garrett’s model, as depicted in the image, resonates deeply with my own experiences. Design isn’t a linear process; it’s a stack of decisions built upon a solid foundation of knowledge. Each layer, from the “Surface” to the “Reality,” represents a critical aspect of product development.
Understanding the Problem Space
At the base of our design efforts lies the “Problem Space.” This is where we gather insights from reality, simplify complexities, and build a model that explains user needs and behaviors. This phase is heavily influenced by the work of Indi Young, who emphasizes understanding the problem space independently of any solution.
- Observed Behavior: This layer involves capturing reality through user research and analytics. Tools and techniques like user interviews, surveys, and heatmaps help us understand how users interact with existing products and services.
- User Needs: Here, we focus on what users are trying to achieve and why. Empathy mapping and user journey mapping are essential for identifying pain points and uncovering unmet needs.
- The Domain: This layer encompasses our understanding of the concepts, terminology, processes, and mental models that exist in the real world. Domain expertise is invaluable in creating products that align with users’ existing knowledge and expectations.
Moving into the Solution Space
Once we have a solid grasp of the problem space, we can begin to explore potential solutions. The “Solution Space” is where we make decisions about the products and services we offer.
- Product & Service Strategy: This layer involves defining which user needs to serve and the desired business outcomes to target. It’s about aligning our solutions with both user needs and business goals.
- Conceptual Model: This is where we define the objects, relationships, actions, terminology, policies, processes, and information architecture of our product. A well-defined conceptual model ensures that the product is intuitive and easy to understand.
- Interaction Structure and Flow: This layer focuses on how users interact with our service. It includes touchpoint types, structure, content, and the flow and affordances for interactivity.
- Surface: This is the visible layer, encompassing the details of the end interaction. It includes visual design, copy, artwork, microinteractions, and animations. A polished surface enhances usability and creates a delightful user experience.
The Importance of a Solid Foundation
As Mill notes, a solid foundation is crucial for successful product design. Skipping layers can lead to “UX debt,” resulting in a poor user experience. The conceptual model, in particular, is often overlooked, leading to products that serve the database rather than the user’s mental model.
Collaboration and Specialization
Product design is a collaborative effort, involving individuals with diverse skills and perspectives. User researchers, product managers, domain experts, engineers, and architects all play vital roles in shaping the final product. Techniques like Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) can help teams work more effectively on the conceptual model.
Applying the Model in Practice
This model can be a valuable tool for product teams. It can help us:
- Assess the foundation of our projects: Have we adequately addressed the problem space?
- Identify areas of uncertainty: Which layer requires the most attention?
- Evaluate team skills: Do we have the necessary expertise to tackle each layer?
- Reflect on our own strengths: Which layer do we enjoy working in most?
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Elements of Product Design” provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of product development. By recognizing the importance of each layer and fostering collaboration among team members, we can create products that not only meet user needs but also exceed their expectations.
References:
- Jesse James Garrett’s The Elements of User Experience: https://www.jjg.net/elements/
- Indi Young’s Mental Models: https://indiyoung.com/mental-models/
- Object-Oriented UX (OOUX): https://ooux.com/
- User Research Techniques: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/which-ux-research-methods/
- Empathy Mapping: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/empathy-mapping-the-first-step-in-design-thinking
- User Journey Mapping: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/user-journey-mapping/
- Heatmaps: https://www.hotjar.com/heatmaps/
- Microinteractions: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/microinteractions
- Information Architecture: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/information-architecture/
- Usability Testing: https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/usability-testing.html
