The Disciplines of UX
Demystifying the 8 core disciplines of UXUser Experience is made up a vast range of core skills — more than any one person could be expected to master. Those core skills contribute to the shape and expression of design. Each skill is grounded in its own discipline and depth. I call these UX Disciplines.
UX Disciplines
UX Research
UX Writing
Service Design
Information Architecture (IA)
Interaction Design (IxD)
Information Design
Interface Design
Visual Design
In order to understand these disciplines, we must first understand a UX framework around the various layers of User Experience.
The Elements of UX
In 2010, Jesse James Garrett published The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond. In this book you’ll find The Elements of UX. For years, I’ve used this framework as a foundation to understand UX Disciplines. I primarily use this framework to help UX professionals understand the various Disciplines of their work in relation to one-another. It highlights the complexity of design work as seen on a continuum between abstract and concrete work.
UX Disciplines and Elements of UXStrategy
Strategy is concerned with the big picture and direction. User needs and business goals are key here. The primary UX Discipline found here is Service Design.
Service Design is the activity of planning and organizing a business’s resources (people, props, and processes) in order to (1) directly improve the employee’s experience, and (2) indirectly, the customer’s experience.
Scope
Scope defines overall Vision and Strategy. It shows what’s included and how to move forward. You won’t find any specific UX Disciplines here but you find Project Planning and Road-Mapping at this layer.
Structure
Structure looks at how things fit together, relate to one another and interact in sync. This is a key layer of the Elements because it stitches the abstract and concrete sides together. Here you’ll find Information Architecture and Interaction Design.
Information Architecture (IA) is the organization of information that creates new information. Structuring content, developing taxonomies, crafting navigation, and other activities that make information accessible, usable, and understandable are all part of IA.
Interaction Design (IxD) defines the structure and behavior of interactive systems. It strives to create meaningful relationships between people and the products and services that they use.
Skeleton
Skeleton relies on a solid structure and is the connection between surface and structure. This layer includes Interface Design and Information Design.
Information Design is the practice of presenting information or data in a way that fosters an efficient and effective understanding of the information for the users.
User Interface (UI) Design focuses on anticipating what users might need to do and ensuring that the interface has elements that are easy to access, understand, and use to facilitate those actions.
Surface
Surface brings all the pieces together into a polished presentation. Visual Design lives and thrives here.
Visual Design is about implementing visual elements in a way that enhances the overall design. Color, composition, typography, visual hierarchy, and brand expression all help present the product or service in a way that is clear and approachable and appropriately exhibits personality.
Supporting The Elements
UX Research and UX Writing are unique disciplines in that they are integral parts to every layer. Research supports every discipline in every layer of the The Elements of UX whereas writing impacts and is used by every discipline.
UX Research is the systematic study of target users and their needs, to add realistic contexts and insights. Various methods are used to uncover problems, opportunities & ultimately guide decision making.
UX Writing is the practice of crafting the customer-facing text or copy that appears within the design of digital products. Writing helps users understand how to use and interact with products and services.