This document discusses the benefits of structured and content-focused thinking in UX design. It provides examples of content models and structured interfaces from various organizations. Some key advantages of structured thinking mentioned include reducing complexity, creating a simple navigation, prioritizing content, and aligning with evidence-driven research. The document emphasizes that structured models can aid the design process and workflow.

1. Everything First:
Structured UX
Thinking
by Jon Fisher
@ergonjon

4. Everything old is
new again…

5. A (re)emerging trend for structured
thinking
• Rush to grab sharpies and ideate. “Lets just make stuff” mentality.
• IMO, a little up front thinking didn’t hurt anyone
• Lean UX, General explosion of UX, Responsive design, changing
design workflows…
• Structured content is inherently what the web is!

7. http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/structure-first-content-always
Structure first: Mark Boulton

8. http://patternlab.io/
Brad Frost and design systems…

9. http://alistapart.com/article/object-oriented-ux
Object orientated UX

10. http://alistahttp://www.smashingmagazine.com/2015/03/real-life-responsive-
web-design-smashing-book-5/
Smashing Mag Responsive Design Book

11. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Domain-driven-Design-Tackling-Complexity-
Software/dp/0321125215
BBC and Domain Modelling

12. What is a content model?
• A representation of all the various types
of content in your digital product
• It demonstrates the relationships
between each of these content types
• It also documents the elements that
make up each content type
• Essentially the structural side of Content
Strategy (whisper it…IA)
http://alistapart.com/article/content-modelling-
a-master-skill

13. Content elements
Structured thinking aids flow:
• Identify all the pieces
• Their relative size and power
• Their role in your greater plan
• Some elements are small but
mighty in relation to enhancing the
experience

14. Structural UX Thinking

15. Examples

16. Volunteering
Recipe
Article #2
Itinerary
Trail
Project
Panorama
Article #1
Place
Event
Activity

17. National Trust

18. National Trust

20. Filter Facets
TestimonialsComparison Products
S&I Concepts

21. Banking interface
High Street Bank
All Products | Learning
Welcome to High-street Bank
Select some options below to explore what’s available.
I am looking to invest short term.some money
less important
online.
in the
Access to my money is than
maximising my financial returns.
I prefer to manage my accounts
What’s available.
If you’re unsure what’s right for you, try out learning sections.
Find a store Prefer to call? Get in touch on 0845 123 4567.

22. Work flow implications

23. BackendContent
Strategy
Design Frontend

24. Backend
Content
Model
Interface
Design
Copy Writing
Research Launch
Structural UX
thinking!!!

25. seesparkbox.com/foundry/content_priority_guide
Content priority wireframes or guides

26. https://gathercontent.com/
Gather Content

27. Advantages

28. Advantage #1: Reduces
snowball effect

29. Advantage #2: Simple Nav

30. Advantage #3: The second task

31. Advantage #4: The lorem
ipsum debate

32. Advantage #5: Plays well with
Innovation or evidence driven
research

33. Closing remarks

34. JK Rowling’s notepad

35. Models
Different types of models:
• Mental models
• Content models
• Data models
If everywhere you look people are using the
word model then you should probably pay
attention. A model is nothing but a structural
entity.

36. https://the-pastry-box-project.net/baker/cennydd-bowles
IA in 2012…

37. What, not where!
Jon Fisher, Ranting in a team meeting

38. What, not where!
It’s just an interface, get over it!!
Jon Fisher, Ranting in a team meeting

39. Thank you.
For more information please contact
Jon Fisher
jfisher@nomensa.com
+44 (0) 117 9297333