We studied basic structural elements of a deformation relief formed on lateral faces of nickel single crystals under compression. We correlated deformation heterogeneity with the type of structural elements of the relief. It was revealed that deformation heterogeneity did not depend on the type of a relief element or its scale. In addition, some studies were carried out to define ways of the deformation process in slip bands, mesa-and macrobands of deformation as well as in folds. It was found that a slip developed in separate slip bands resulted in their merging into micropackets with a slip occurring concurrently in several parallel planes. It led to the formation of a mesa-or macroscopic element of the deformation relief. We observed both intrusion and extrusion in the material in macrobands of [111]-single crystals as well as the formation of folding areas discussed.