Is it a good idea creating wireframes for webdesigners?

[Drumdrone]

Hello,

just wondering what you think...

Is there a chance for a UX webdesigner preparing mocqups for webdesigners?

I mean creating wireframe and copy - as a base for webdesigner. Do you think that they would like it or they prefer to develop the concept from the scratch?

Thank you

 

[Paul Murray]

As a web designer myself I tend to create my own wireframes, though I do often work from an existing wireframe that's comes from a UX designer or, more often than I'd like, the client.

It speeds up production on my end, and lets me just focus on the visual aesthetic of a site/app, but there's a lot of occasions where I'd like to be involved in the process. Clients seem to be coming to me more often than they used to with wireframes of how they'd like their sites laid out, which is all well and good, but often they're simply copying elements from an existing site or sites, which leads to a site that hasn't really been thought through as well as it should be and often leads to them writing content around the design, rather than designing around the content.

 

[Drumdrone]

Thank you PAUL!

 

[Faevilangel]

I also do my own wireframes / mockups (but poorly done as not as a graphic designer).

I then pass this onto my designer who does his magic

The wireframes are used so the client knows what it's going to look like before we start designing and the designer isn't made to come up with everything.

Freelance designers are unlikely to use a wireframe service (imho) but the agencies probably would.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Anything that gives a designer a clear idea of what is required sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Dmitry V.]

I think mockups always help. First of all to align the understanding. As they are often used to visualise the key aspects of the requirements and to "test" the important workflows (if we're talking about clickable wireframe mockups). They can be prepared by the BA. Then they should be passed to the UI/UX designer who would come up with the proposal for the better user interface. Normally web designer has to be aware of the main UX and usability principles. While the UX specialist alone can verify if the system/service comply with those principles and standards but should not necessarily be a designer himself.

For the functional systems mockups and wireframes are must have. Design work may go prior to that but only to create the overall graphical concept and visual style. When it comes to the functionality you need to have mockups first. The ideal situation is when you have UI/UX designer who can quickly generate mockups and then finalise them

 

[Steve Alphabet]

I'm a copywriter and always find wireframes really useful. If there isn't one I'll ask for screenshots or even do a basic one in Photoshop for me and the client to refer to. If anyone knows of some good "wireframe generator" websites please let me know, thanks!

 

[fisicx]

The best wireframe generator is a piece of paper and a pencil. As soon as you start messing with computer generated layouts people start focusing on all the design elements rather than the site structure.

So just use paper and pencil.

 

[Steve Alphabet]

The best wireframe generator is a piece of paper and a pencil. As soon as you start messing with computer generated layouts people start focusing on all the design elements rather than the site structure.

So just use paper and pencil.

Not really possible if I'm communicating with a client via email...

 

[Dmitry V.]

If anyone knows of some good "wireframe generator" websites please let me know, thanks!

balsamiq.com

 

[fisicx]

Not really possible if I'm communicating with a client via email...

I agree, but the simpler the image you send the better. I've found it's better to not even create a wireframe. Focus on the content and navigation, the CTA and the trustmarks and once you have assembled everything you can build a suitable theme to house it all.

 

[Steve Alphabet]

I agree, but the simpler the image you send the better. I've found it's better to not even create a wireframe. Focus on the content and navigation, the CTA and the trustmarks and once you have assembled everything you can build a suitable theme to house it all.

I agree 100% with your approach, it's just sometimes the client has already got the design completed. Or they're just design-led, the copy is a distant second in their priorities, and it's one of those "This is how I want it look, so just make your copy fit" jobs

 

[Dmitry V.]

Occasionally a friend of mine has asked me today for any alternatives to balsamiq . For those who might also be interested here's the list:

• fluidui.com
• ninjamock.com
• mockupsta.com
• softandgui.co.uk
• mockflow.com
• flairbuilder.com
• livewiresapp.com

First three seem to be more focused on prototyping mobile interfaces.

If anyone has personal experience in using any of these services feel free to share.

 

[liams7]

yes

 

[John_Adams]

I've always found wireframes useful to communicate the user experience that you are hoping for in terms of navigation or information architecture - but if I add design elements (and I'm not a designer), they are often prioritised as much as the UX or IA by real designers and I end up with a site which looks like the wireframe. Often

 

[Alex Brooks]

Anything that gives a designer a clear idea of what is required sounds like a good idea to me.

Second this. Sometimes I've been sent very useful wire frames, from a couple of clients I've worked with in the past, they've sent me the most confusing poorly constructed wireframes, with no notes to help make sense of the mess they created in MS paint..