Wireframing and prototyping are essential steps in the workflow process, but they are very different in terms of function. While they may initially seem similar, it is important to get the terminology correct to know how to plan your product. Wireframing and prototyping have different purposes, benefits, and weaknesses, so it is essential to choose which best fits your needs.
So what exactly is the difference between wireframing and prototyping? Read on to find out!
What is a wireframe?
A wireframe is the basic layout of your final product. It does not include any UI features or animation effects. Wireframes are necessary to show the structural guidelines required to design the product. The full product team benefits from wireframing since it allows them to picture what the website will look like beforehand and understand the core functionality. Wireframes are excellent tools for creating a fast, inexpensive layout that shows exactly what content is needed.
Wireframes are generally low-fidelity sketches. However, Claritee’s wireframing tool lets you lay out your digital product (such as websites, landing pages, etc.) in full detail minus the design/UI. This results in a clickable working digital product that focuses on functionality and content, enabling the team to work collaboratively on the visual requirements together at the concept stage.
What is a prototype?
A prototype is generally a mid or high fidelity model that shows the UI and design, and functionality of the product. Prototypes are more similar to the final website or mobile app since they show all the details. Caritee is somewhat similar to a prototype tool since it offers advanced interactions that simulate the real product; however, it does not show the design or animations. This makes it more of a high-fidelity wireframing tool.
Prototypes are important since they allow real users to use the product and react to the design. This enables the team to correct mistakes and fine-tune the product before going live. This results in many iterations, so why not focus on these issues before the design has been done and iterate during the layout stage with Claritee instead?
What is a design?
The design aspect of the website and mobile app development includes how the product looks – the visuals/eye candy. The appearance consists of colors, images, and fonts, which contribute to the user’s experience. UI designers strategically utilize visuals to evoke positive emotions from the users.
Why is it important for wireframing tools to offer a more robust solution than simple sketches?
Imagine creating a sketch of a house and then going straight into building it. This would cause a lack of organization, confusion, and miscommunication. In fact, the house will have more mistakes than if it had proper plans and models created beforehand. The same goes for digital products. The better the foundation is in the beginning, the better the end product will be. Designing without proper wireframes or in-depth layouts wastes lots of time and money and potentially leads to a frustrated team.
Working on an in-depth layout with your full team at the concept stage is a time-saving approach since it results in fewer iterations.
What is Important in a Wireframing Tool?
Quick and Easy
Wireframing needs to be quick.
The tools for wireframing need to be easy to use.
The tool needs to offer the team a quick way to envision their thoughts collaboratively.
This is why using a design tool (such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) to create wireframes and layouts is counterproductive at this stage. Infinite canvases on design tools also create infinite options, which goes against what wireframing layouts should ideally offer. Plus, the longer the wireframing stage takes, the more expensive the process will cost since each specialist will need to be hired for more time.
Claritee makes the layout stage quick and easy with simple project organization hierarchies and powerful data-driven content so that you do not need to do any research before creating your layouts – simply drag and drop the content according to your needs. This can be done by any member of the team.
Team collaboration
Creating digital products is a team effort, whether the team consists of 2 or 15. The entire team benefits from being involved from the very beginning, whether they are actively involved or just following the progress. The entire team, as well as the product, benefits from visual discussion and collaboration. A productive wireframing tool should also empower team members that are not proficient with design tools to be easily included in the process.
An effective wireframing tool can help each team members in the following ways:
Designers
The design process takes much less time as the designer knows exactly what needs to be designed. It also enables them to be much more creative as they know what is required and can therefore get creative.
Developers
The developer has been involved from the beginning. They have already started setting up the backend and have thought of code and database solutions.
Content creators and marketers
The content has already been added and has shaped the direction of the product from the beginning. This means there will be fewer requests for change.
CEOs, Clients
The client has been involved in all parts of the process. They are happy with the developments and understand why certain decisions have been made. There are no surprises when it comes to the finished product.
UX designers
UX designers can translate all their research into visual requirements and pass them on to the rest of the team instead of writing out long requirement documents/emails.
Product managers
Product managers spend less time trying to explain everything to everyone and keep everyone updated regarding changes. As a result, there are fewer misunderstandings because everyone is on the same (visual) page. There is also a shorter time to market and fewer meetings.
Why wireframes should not include design elements
In order to be effective, a layout solution should ideally have no design elements incorporated whatsoever (no color, fonts). This will allow all team members to clearly focus on the requirements and not be sidetracked by design aspects.
Claritee offers layout prototypes (comprehensive prototypes with no design added), so you can create a working, clickable blueprint of a digital product. With this layout prototype, you can focus on functionality, UX, and content – BUT without any design. This is important because it allows the full team to collaborate and come to a complete visual requirements solution for the product.
Product-Focused
A wireframing tool should be 100% product-focused.
It should be very simple to understand and easy to use.
The team should be focused on the functionality of the project and not waste time & energy on how to use the tool.
Conclusion
We can then determine that wireframing and prototyping are both crucial steps in product development, but each serves a distinct purpose. Wireframes focus on structure and functionality, providing a foundation for teams to collaborate and refine the layout before diving into design. Prototypes, on the other hand, bring the product closer to its final form by integrating UI and user interactions, allowing for real-world testing. By choosing the right approach and tools like Claritee, teams can streamline their workflow, reduce iterations, and focus on creating a functional, user-centered product from the outset. Ultimately, the key to successful digital product development lies in clear communication, collaboration, and the right balance between structure and design.
