Most of the clients never understand wireframes and why they are essential. User experience is an anchor of the successful website design, while Wireframes and prototypes represent its two essential elements. Both aspects of the UX design strategy aimed at developing a perfect website that corresponds to the business goals of the owner. Also, to the needs and preferences of targeted visitors. Many successful web development companies skip this step entirely because they feel it is time-consuming and unnecessary.
But the wireframes and prototyping are critical to develop or build a website and mobile application. In general, most of the designers use the terms Wireframe and prototype interchangeably though they are entirely distinct from each other in terms of the look, things they communicate and the purpose they serve. In brief, the wireframe offers a static appearance while the prototype helps you with a dynamic look to know how the project will function and work when it is ready.
So let’s dive in and understand this handy tool better way.
What is Wireframe?
UX designers use wireframes to determine and plan the data hierarchy of their designs for websites, apps, or products. In other words, a wireframe is a visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website, app or product. It shows the location and layout of various elements that include content and navigation, also the interactive and functional aspects. A website wireframes are known as a page schematics and screen blueprints.
Why is Wireframe needed?
Wireframes assist in organizing data and adequately showcasing the content to be displayed on a specific app screen or website page. Here are some of the advantages of using wireframes for a project.
- Clarity: Using wireframes, you will get a clear idea of which element will be located in the defined screen pages.
- Adjusting: In wireframes, you can easily control the placement of the elements, i.e. you move or delete the elements if required.
- Connection: Using wireframes, your client will be deeply involved in the planning process.
- Protection: You can minimise the possibility to redo the whole work from scratch.
How to create wireframes?
Wireframes can be created using many options such as:
- Sketching: It’s hand-drawn wireframes help in brainstorming sessions and describing several ideas at the same time.
- Graphics: Designers use software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create graphics
- Software: Using software tools like Adobe XD, it is effortless to move wireframes to prototype.
Top tools used for creating wireframing and Prototyping
There are many tools out there for creating wireframes. You can find the best ones that suit you. Here is the list of tools you can check out.
- Marvel
- InVision
- Justinmind
- Flinto
- Proto.io
- Axure
- UXpin
- Adobe XD
What is a prototype?
Designers for website or mobile app development companies use prototypes to interact with features and receive real-time feedback about the designs they have created.
Why Is Prototype needed?
There are many benefits that we get from prototyping. It helps you get your idea with better specifications, design and other forms of description. Apart from this, there is plenty of other benefits that you get from a prototype are:
- It pitches an idea to give excellent work
- Easily identifies the issues.
- It serves as a communication tool
- It helps to validate the process
- It provides you with accurate insights and user research
How to create a prototype?
Creating a prototype will depend mostly on the website or mobile app development company as they create a prototype based on the resources they have. Here are some of the methods for creating prototyping are:
- The website development company can create a paper prototype such as PowerPoint and Keynote.
- Using the presentation software to create an engaging prototype
- Developers use native tools or platforms like Java for Android and Swift for iOS to create native prototypes.
Conclusion
Wireframe and prototype are the two most efficient and preferred steps for any project development. Using these elements, you can identify the potential flaws in your design and pave the way for the future prototype that has a solid base with sound structure. They can assist you in communicating with other designers and lessening the margin of errors in the design within large teams.
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