Designing for the Web: Differentiating between Wireframes, Mockups, and Prototypes

Mockups, Prototypes, and Wireframes are the standard terms stored in the dictionary of a web designer. They shuffle these terms in their regular task. But the main question is, what are these three terms, and what is it used for?

Let's get into more detail about these terms and understand the differences between Prototypes, Mockups, and Wireframes.

Why are These Terms Used?

The terms: Wireframe, Prototypes, and Mockups are used to present the design of software applications and websites. Experts in web design company present structured mockups, wireframes, or prototypes to their clients.

They usually don't use all these three methods for a project. It depends on the client's requirements. However, if a user requests all three models for their project, the web designing company allocates a group of designers. So, they can be framed in conjunction to fulfill a comprehensive design structure.

UI/UX designers use any of these three models to visualize the layout of a website. Once clients approve the design, the developers start working on the site. These models are also used as a user testing reference for designers. They take this design reference further to analyze the appropriateness of the product.

Although fidelity is considered the prime parameter of differences between wireframes, prototypes, and mockups, they are fundamentally unique regarding UX design.

What is a Wireframe in UX?

A wireframe is defined as a low-fidelity presentation of a product. It contains the minute segments of the product. It is mainly used for an app or webpage. You can also refer to it as a diagram containing simple shapes and lines. It is the same as that of a skeleton but defines the user interface of an app or a website.

If you want to design a wireframe for a digital product, you need to define the product's interface, layout, page structure, navigational elements, and information architecture. Draw a wireframe either manually or digitally. Make sure you use grey, black, and white for a wireframe.

Why Should You Use a Wireframe in Web Design?

Wireframe in web design helps to map the functionality of a web page. There are other reasons why you should use a wireframe.

• Wireframing is the choice if you want feedback from your client at an early phase. It also helps in rapid iteration. You can experiment with various design approaches before actually creating the website. Addressing design flaws or usability issues initially can save time and effort.

• You can prioritize content with wireframes. It helps address space constraints and hierarchical flaws on the webpage.

• Wireframes are also a communication channel between developers, designers, and other responsible stakeholders. It gives a visual reference point for further discussions, ensuring everyone is on the same page. So, for effective communication, consider a wireframe.

• If you are in the product discovery phase, go for wireframing. It will allow you to identify business goals and understand the product scope.

What is a Prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary product, software, or system design. It is the visual demonstration or representation of an idea or product. UX/UI designers frame a prototype after they are done with the wireframing phase. It is meant for reviewing the user journey throughout the built product. A prototype design can be high-fidelity or low-fidelity. The action to develop a prototype is referred to as prototyping. Prototyping allows designers, stakeholders, and engineers to validate and test ideas, collect feedback, and make relevant improvements.

With a prototype, you create a tangible model and present it for further approval. This way, designers can address defects and put in effort for appropriate solutions.

Why Do We Use a Prototype Model?

Prototype models address and solve issues at the initial software or product development phase. There are the following reasons for which you should use a prototype.

• A prototype is excellent for understanding the critical concern you aim to solve. It also gives you an insight into other possible problems that can arise in the development phase. So, the Prototype model plays a significant part in the problem discovery phase. It helps to identify the pain points of the users.

• It is an effective way to communicate product design with the relevant stakeholders. It enables designers of web design companies to convey their approach to product features. Non-technical stakeholders also use a prototype to understand the idea.

• The prototype model supports the initial user testing phase. Designers present a working model through prototyping and gather valuable feedback. Thus, the Prototype model is helpful in testing and improving the intended software or product.

What is a Mockup?

A mockup is a high-fidelity, static visual representation of a product design. It includes color specification, iconography, typography, and other style specifications. It is different from a wireframe or a prototype. A prototype emphasizes the interaction design, while a mockup helps establish the brand identity.

During the mockup development phase, the UX/UI designers maintain consistency in style across all the device interfaces. It is the final product model after wireframing and prototyping. After the designers hand over the approved Mockup model for a software or a product, the developer team initiates the code implementation.

Mockups are a way to present the visual identity of the brand.

Why are Mockups Important in UX Design?

Mockups are used for design documentation. UX designers use a mockup model to present a thorough product reference.

Here are the following reasons why Mockups are essential.

• It is used for design iteration. If defects are addressed in the mockup model, designers refine the elements and move forward for improvement.

• Product designing involves several stakeholders. It needs the approval of every involved member. Thus, mockups are used to align the stakeholders.

• It is used as a tool to pitch potential investors. As it represents the brand identity, you can use a mockup to market your idea.

• Mockup is used to test the project design and is the last step in the product designing phase. Thus, it is a crucial part of the software development cycle.

What is the Difference Between Wireframes, Mockups, and Prototype

As you have seen, all three models are visual demonstrations that help the development team and stakeholders follow or understand business requirements. Before launching the product, you need to get a thorough difference between mockups, prototypes, and wireframes. A wireframe is a low-fidelity sketch of the ideated product. It visualizes the information, functions, operation, and user flow. It does not detail the visual design of the product. If a project team is working on the wireframe, they should focus on the design ideas and proper planning for feature specifications. It is the foundation of the product’s design, based on which further planning is carried out.

On the other hand, Mockups are the graphical presentation of the product. It specifies the color schemes, typography, layouts, and product appearance. If you want to build a mockup for a product, design the user interfaces. Note that in a mockup model, you don’t have to build the underlying functionalities of the software. Digital software is used to create a mockup. These are the wireframes, with an added layer conveying the design aesthetics.

Ultimately, the Prototype is the final representation of a product, after which it moves forward for the development phase. The responsible team tests concepts, enhances functionality, and improves usability in this phase.

Do You Need Wireframe, Mockups, and Prototype for a Single Project?

It depends on your project needs. Every web design company prefers developing one of the three models. However, the best web design company considers creating all three models: mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. This gives them a better clarity of the project.

Although it may be time-consuming, it is worth the effort and the time.

What are the Design Tools Used by UX/UI Designers?

Proper choice of Tools or software can make your life easier as a UX web designer. Let’s get a quick update on the tools you can use for wireframing, mockups, and prototyping.

Best Tools Used For Wireframing

Here are the top 10 wireframing tools

1. Adobe Creative Cloud
2. UXPin
3. Figma
4. Balsamiq
5. Microsoft Visio
6. Framer
7. Sketch
8. Lucidchart
9. Fluid UI
10. Pencil Project

Basic Tools Used For Prototyping

For prototyping, you can use any of the following tools.

1. inVision studio
2. Adobe XD
3. Figma
4. Axure RP
5. Origami studio
6. Justinmind
7. Sketch
8. Framer
9. Fluid UI
10. Proto.io

Tools to Create Mockups

When you want to create a mockup, go with any of the following tools.

1. MockPlus
2. Mockflow
3. Moqups
4. Gravit
5. FrameBox
6. Flinto
7. Axure RP
8. UXPin
9. Figma
10. Lucidchart

Final Thoughts

While you are on a UX journey, you need to be familiar with the terms ‘Mockups’, ‘Prototype’, and ‘Wireframe’. You may get confused about which models to be built for your project. In that scenario, try to understand the client’s requirements and ask them whether they want a wireframe, prototype, mockup, or all these three models. However, in terms of tools, you can choose any based on your preference. There may be one tool with which you can build all these three models.
So, if you are new to design and want to ideate your product design, get associated with the experts.