Abstract: Program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. Items may be, for example, icons, tool bars, directories, documents, notes, and/or the like. Program code is also executed in the data processing system in order to select an item so that each of the other items, which is displayed in a layer above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure the selected item, is cut out in order to expose at least a portion of the selected item and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected item. A cut-out border may be provided around the selected item so that an item layered below the selected item is revealed.