The 5 Elements of UX Design

The 5 Elements of UX Design Explained | From Strategy to Surface

UX design is the heart of any web or mobile application. What you see in the functionality, design, and overall experience of using the product after its deployment; is all thanks to the effective use of UX techniques. The simpler and more user-friendly the app or website, the higher the chances of attracting traffic and reducing bounce rates. Customers will feel comfortable buying products or availing services.

There are five important elements of UX design. We will explain them in detail, ensuring all your questions are answered in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

What are the 5 Elements of UX Design?

These are the basic five elements of UX design in general:

  1. Strategy: What the product will do, and who it’s for.
  2. Scope: What features and content the product will have?
  3. Structure: Content organisation and user interaction with it.
  4. Skeleton: Buttons, the layout, and design elements which tell the user what to do.
  5. Surface: Colours, fonts, and images of the product.

These elements make up a structure and each part has its role defined;

5 Elements of UX Design

Every element is important in how the product is enjoyable for users. This strategy makes sure that the product can meet user needs. Features and functions are defined in scope. Everything is organised in a logical structure. The surface gives it a visual appeal, and the skeleton designs the layout. Together, they make a product that’s easy to use and feels just right.

  • Example:

What if you were using a food delivery app? In our case, we have Bellofos. With this strategy, we made sure that your problem of ordering food easily is solved. 

  • Features like menu browsing and payment options are within the scope. 
  • The integration of API allows any food chain and restrained to easily manage their order with bellofos. 
  • These features are organised intuitively into the structure. 
  • The menu button and checkout are placed where they’re easy to find. 
  • The surface makes the app visually attractive with fresh, modern colours and fonts.

Find out the excellence of UX design on our website Tech Solution Pro;
Here is the list of some of our client’s websites that You will love to interact with; the design; the colour combination, simplification and ease of use and navigation: 

What Is UI and UX, and Why Are They Important?

UI, or User Interface, is about how the digital product will look once it’s live for the audience. The design is created by UI and UX experts using various tools (we’ll explore them later). It includes the design of every button, section, transition, layout, colour pattern, and all the details that contribute to the visual appeal and feel of the product.

On the other hand, UX, or User Experience, focuses on how users feel while interacting with the product. It ensures that everything works smoothly, from browsing a website to completing a purchase. For example, great UX design makes the process of purchasing an item from an app or a website seamless and hassle-free, so the user faces no issues while completing the transaction.

The heart of any app or website is UI/UX design. This is all about making things look good (UI) and feel easy to use (UX). Customers will stick around and use your product if your design is simple and enjoyable. This means more happy users and more likely to succeed for businesses.

  • What Are the Core Goals of UI/UX Design?

The main aim of UI/UX design is to simplify the user’s life. It makes sure that every button, page, and action is clear and useful. Booking a ticket or shopping online, the design should take users effortlessly. The goal? Users that come back happy.

  • What is the combination of UI and UX that creates seamless digital experiences?

UI is the “looks” and UX is the “feels.” Together, they make the product functionality reasonable to use. For instance, a pretty app (UI) that’s hard to use will frustrate users, and a simple app (UX) with no style won’t draw attention. The balance between the two should be perfect for digital experiences to be enjoyable and successful.

Elements of UX Design

What Are the 5 Processes of UX Design?

  1. Empathise: Understand what users need and what problems they face.
  2. Define: Figure out exactly what the problem is and what goals need to be reached.
  3. Ideate: Come up with lots of creative ideas to solve the problem.
  4. Prototype: Create simple versions of the ideas to see how they work.
  5. Test: Try out the prototypes with users, gather feedback, and make improvements.

How To Make UX Design | A Simple Example

The example we are using is the product of a restaurant order management system that is completely taken by the TSP and our expert graphic designer using the tools delivered with perfection. So let us explain how you will design your UX for the product.

1. Know the Customer’s Needs and ExpectationsWe first talk to the clients and the developing team to understand what they need. For example, they might need a menu to scroll through easily and a quick, easy way to order.


2. Specify the System Essential FeaturesWe then decide what features the system will have. It could be a simple menu, ‘Add to Cart’ buttons, the ability to customise orders, and a simple checkout.
3. Make it a clear and easy to use layout.So we made a simple design of how the menu will be, where the buttons will be and how customers will move through the system to order their food.






4. Test the Design with a PrototypeWe then build a basic working version of the system. This prototype enables customers to play with it, add food to the cart and check out.
5. User Feedback Testing and Gathering for ImprovementsCustomers test the system and give us feedback. Others might even point out confusing or need improvement things like hard-to-read text or missing options.








6. Launch the System and Finalise the DesignFrom there on, we take feedback to improve and finalise the design, and we make sure the whole process goes smoothly and customers can just place their orders.

What Are the UX Principles of Designing?

Check out the 5 principles of UX design that you should know. These are not for learning but for understanding. 

  1. Consistency: Users Feel Comfortable Because Familiar Designs are Used

Users feel comfortable when things look and work the same across a website or app. Consider all the buttons and menus to have the same style; it saves time and eliminates confusion. Trust is built because they know what to expect.

  1. Accessibility: For Everyone, Design That Works

People with disabilities can use a good UX design. That means making your text readable, adding voice commands, or putting up clear visuals so that everyone can use your app or website without any struggle.

  1. Feedback: Keeping Users in the Loop

Feedback is about showing users what is happening when they interact with your system. Imagine if they click “Buy Now,” a loading spinner tells them the purchase is being confirmed. It gives users knowledge and reassurance.

  1. User-Centricity: People’s Needs, Not Trends

Understanding what users need is the key to the best designs. We don’t care about the latest design trends; it’s about solving real problems for real people. Have a listen to user feedback and make sure their experience is prioritised.

  1. Simplicity: Less Is Often More

Easy-to-understand designs are simple to use. Don’t add unnecessary features to your interface. For instance, a simple and neat menu allows users to easily find what they’re looking for without any distractions.

What is a UX Elements Library?

A UX elements library is like a digital toolbox full of buttons, icons and layouts that designers use repeatedly. It’s faster, it keeps designs clean, and it makes sure everything is consistent.

  • How to Build Your Popular UX Libraries

Material Design by Google and Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines are some famous libraries. You can even save commonly used design pieces to create your own and never have to start from scratch.

What Tools are Used for UX Design?

Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are the popular tools designers use to create layouts and designs. These are easy and simple to manage, but with more features to create interactive designs for websites and apps. Maze, Optimal Workshop, and Hotjar are used to see if users can easily navigate a design. They record user actions and help you find what may need improvement.

Final Thoughts

Designing a great UX isn’t just about making things look pretty, it’s about making them work great for your users. The 5 elements of UX design (Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, and Surface) are the building blocks of innovation, simplicity, and interactive digital products. Getting this balance right isn’t easy, but let’s be real.

We craft experiences at Tech Solution Pro. We know how to understand your audience, and how to build an interactive and intuitive product. 

Are you ready to take your app or website to the next level? Contact us today, and let’s make your website or app amazing together.

FAQs

1. What are the 5 elements of UX design?

The five elements of UX design are Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, and Surface. These layers guide the design process from defining user needs and business goals to creating the final user interface.

2. Why is the strategy layer important in UX design?

The strategy layer is crucial because it forms the foundation of UX design by identifying user needs and aligning them with business goals. It ensures that the design serves a clear purpose and delivers value.

3. What is the difference between scope and structure in UX design?

Scope defines the features and content a product will include, while structure focuses on organizing those features and content into a logical flow to create a seamless user experience.

4. How does the skeleton layer affect user interaction?

The skeleton layer defines the layout, navigation, and information hierarchy, determining how users interact with the interface. It influences the ease of use and clarity of the design.

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