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User Experience Iceberg
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UX is not what the user sees. It's everything underneath.
The Layers
Jesse James Garrett's model, from top (visible) to bottom (foundation):
- Surface — visuals, type, colour.
- Skeleton — layout, navigation, controls.
- Structure — information architecture, interaction patterns.
- Scope — features and content.
- Strategy — user needs and product objectives.
Why It Matters
- Designers often debate surface when the problem lives deeper.
- Fixing the tip of the iceberg doesn't move metrics.
- Layers depend on each other — changing one shifts all above.
How to Apply
- When a design isn't working, diagnose the layer. Surface fix or structural fix?
- Don't let colour arguments substitute for strategy conversations.
- Before shipping surface changes, check whether the layers below are solid.
The Trap
Spending all review time on the visible layer. Surface is cheap to change and easy to argue about — which is exactly why it distracts.
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