The 5 Planes, as conceptualized by Jesse James Garrett, represent a comprehensive framework for designing and developing user-centered products. Each plane corresponds to a distinct aspect of the user experience, progressing from foundational considerations to the final visual presentation. Here’s a user-friendly definition for each plane:
- Strategy:
- What it is: The big picture plan.
- Imagine it like: Setting goals and deciding the overall approach before diving into details.
- Example: Planning a road trip by deciding on the destinations and overall route.
- Scope:
- What it is: Defining boundaries and features.
- Imagine it like: Outlining what’s in and what’s out in your project.
- Example: Deciding the cities to visit and places to skip on your road trip.
- Structure:
- What it is: Organizing information and functionality.
- Imagine it like: Creating a blueprint for your project.
- Example: Planning the order of visits to cities and attractions on your road trip.
- Skeleton:
- What it is: Creating a tangible, interactive prototype.
- Imagine it like: Building a rough model or prototype.
- Example: Sketching a basic map and itinerary for your road trip.
- Surface:
- What it is: The final look and feel.
- Imagine it like: Applying the finishing touches.
- Example: Choosing the color scheme, fonts, and visual details for your road trip plan.
By moving through these planes in sequence, you ensure that your product not only looks good but is also well-thought-out, functional, and aligned with your overall goals. It’s like crafting a journey, making sure you have a solid plan, know your limits, organize your route, create a basic model, and then add the aesthetic details for a delightful experience.