How do you use the five planes of UX design to structure your product?

The five planes of UX design are a framework to help you plan and organize your product development process. They represent different levels of abstraction and detail, from the most strategic to the most tactical. By using the five planes, you can align your product vision, goals, features, interactions, and aesthetics with the needs and expectations of your users. In this article, we will explain what each plane is, how they relate to each other, and how you can use them to structure your product.

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1 Strategy plane

The strategy plane is the foundation of your UX design. It defines the purpose and value proposition of your product, as well as the target audience and their needs, motivations, and behaviors. The strategy plane answers the question: why are you creating this product and who is it for? To create a solid strategy, you need to conduct user research, market analysis, and stakeholder interviews. You also need to define your product goals, success metrics, and key features. The strategy plane guides the rest of the planes and ensures that your product is relevant and useful for your users.

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Abhishek Semwal

Product Design @wiom, Top Fellow - Nextleap Product Design
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Talking to users and getting to know their pain points is an important starting point for user research. Sometimes, how a product is designed vs how it is perceived by users is quite different.

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2 Scope plane

The scope plane is the next level of your UX design. It outlines the functional and content requirements of your product, as well as the user stories and scenarios that describe how users will interact with it. The scope plane answers the question: what will your product do and what will it include? To define the scope, you need to prioritize your features and content based on your strategy, user needs, and resources. You also need to create user flows, sitemaps, and information architecture diagrams to show how your product will be structured and organized. The scope plane sets the boundaries and expectations of your product and ensures that it is feasible and consistent.

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3 Structure plane

The structure plane is the next level of your UX design. It defines the layout and navigation of your product, as well as the interaction patterns and feedback mechanisms that enable users to achieve their goals. The structure plane answers the question: how will your product work and how will users move through it? To design the structure, you need to create wireframes, prototypes, and user interface specifications that illustrate the elements and functions of your product. You also need to test your structure with users and stakeholders to validate its usability and functionality. The structure plane shapes the user experience and ensures that it is intuitive and efficient.

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Abhishek Semwal

Product Design @wiom, Top Fellow - Nextleap Product Design
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User stories are an effective tool that help designers in identifying user pain points and how these problems can be resolved. User stories then converge towards possible solutions that can be developed into Product features.

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4 Skeleton plane

The skeleton plane is the next level of your UX design. It defines the visual hierarchy and aesthetics of your product, as well as the typography, color, imagery, and icons that convey meaning and emotion. The skeleton plane answers the question: how will your product look and feel and how will users perceive it? To design the skeleton, you need to create mockups, style guides, and brand guidelines that establish the look and feel of your product. You also need to apply the principles of visual design, such as contrast, balance, alignment, and proximity, to enhance the clarity and appeal of your product. The skeleton plane supports the user experience and ensures that it is attractive and engaging.

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5 Surface plane

The surface plane is the final level of your UX design. It is the actual interface that users see and interact with, as well as the content and copy that communicate your product's value and message. The surface plane answers the question: what will users see and hear when they use your product? To create the surface, you need to implement your design decisions and specifications from the previous planes, using the appropriate tools and technologies. You also need to write and edit your content and copy, using the tone and voice that suit your brand and audience. The surface plane delivers the user experience and ensures that it is coherent and compelling.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you use the five planes of UX design to structure your product?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Strategy plane

2 Scope plane

3 Structure plane

4 Skeleton plane

5 Surface plane

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience Design

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How do you use the five planes of UX design to structure your product?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Strategy plane

2 Scope plane

3 Structure plane

4 Skeleton plane

5 Surface plane

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience Design

Rate this article

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