What Are UI/UX Wireframes?

Designing needs to be organized. Finding the right tools, choosing the right colors, and components, and deciding whether or not this is a fit is what we need to be doing as UI UX designers. UI UX design is a very perplexing and interesting process, which entails many aspects of apps and web pages. From the research period to the study of the competition work to the creation of multiple mockups, the design process of any digital product is complex. The journey we undergo as UI UX designers is not devoid of challenges, but it also allows us a great deal of space for creativity which we can express in the designs. 

Fortunately for us, UI UX design has evolved in such a way that it is now more accessible than ever to create and handle the design process of apps and websites. While we have a few alternatives at hand, one of the most crucial steps in the design process is wireframing. So, let’s find out how we can start applying wireframes to our own UI designs.

Wireframes are UI design elements that have the role of displaying the skeleton of a digital application. What wireframing does is that it helps us have a clearer, simplified version of the user interface of our websites and apps. 

Wireframes do not show the actual content a page will have. Rather, it stands as a preview of what our UI design is going to look like. To better understand the concept of a UI wireframe, we should try to imagine the plan of a house. In the plan, we will see all the rooms, hallways, dimensions, and other aspects that are most important for the project of a house. In the same manner, when we look at the wireframe of a website or an app, we should be able to deduct the most important elements of the user interface. 

When it comes to the anatomy of a wireframe, this should stray away from being complicated and too detailed. Keep in mind that we use wireframes, in the first place, to make our work more approachable! As a general practice, UI UX designers only include lines, boxed and white black, and grey as colors. Due to its minimalist nature, a wireframe imposes pretty strict visual limitations.

There are three main types of wireframes in design:

• Low-fidelity Wireframes. This type of wireframe is developed roughly and doesn’t have detailed grids, scales, and pixels. 
• Mid-fidelity Wireframes. This type of wireframe is encountered when speaking with the stakeholders and users. With this type of wireframe, we have the possibility to use mid-fidelity grids, scales, and pixels. 
• High-fidelity Wireframes. This type of high-fidelity wireframe contains images and written content. 

Wireframes work in the same ways as levels do, so each type of wireframe is a continuation of the one before it. After we have reached the last type, high-fidelity wireframing, it is time to move on to prototyping.

Wireframes are the setting stone of a new design process. You can interpret the wireframe process as the blueprints that help you develop and build a new project, the ingredients that you need in order to succeed. In the wireframe process, we decide where all the elements are placed and we choose the skeleton of our project. 

Although wireframes can be used and drawn easily, we have the ability to complete them with software like AdobeXD, Figma, Balsamiq, or Sketch. Even though Although wireframes are usually used by designers, they are also useful tools for programmers as wireframes can help them structure better and build a website or app.

With wireframes, we can share messages more easily, and get them across to the team members. It’s the easiest way in which we can share our thoughts about the design and nail down the interface. It is also worth mentioning that you don’t need to stress out when it comes to wireframes, as they are not the final design. Take a step back and breathe. The purpose is to help you design and deliver better and more accessible platforms, so don’t get upset over the use and mentions found in wireframes – they are not against you.

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Advantages of Using Wireframes

• Time-saving. With the help of wireframes, we are able to solve problems more easily and make quick updates. 
• Gathers data. When it comes to gathering feedback and leveling up the user experience, wireframes can help us do that more efficiently. They lack color and give the users the ability to appreciate the UX design functions. 
• Developing precise designs. Wireframes help designers develop better designs as they give them the ability to test and review the components of the design. 

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There are a few design principles that we should take into account during the wireframing period of UI UX design.

• Setting Goals. Before we begin to develop our UI wireframe, we need to have a clear idea of what we want to achieve and communicate through our design.
• Minimal Color. As opposed to other user interface-related elements, wireframes do not require creative colors. The purpose of wireframes is to show a simplified sketch of the UI. 
• Consistency. Wireframes need to maintain a visual coherence regarding the elements that are included in them. So, the shapes and sizes should stay the same.‍
• Annotations. Because we need to keep UI wireframes as straightforward and simple as possible, we can add annotations where elements need more explanation.

We at uinkits understand the importance of inputs in great user experiences and creating amazing UI designs. That’s why we’ve developed a Figma UI Kit with design components that include these essential UI elements that enable you to design intuitive and user-friendly interfaces effortlessly.  

“You press the button, we do the rest,” – Kodak.

Inspired by this iconic tagline from Kodak, we believe in simplifying the design process for you. Our Figma UI Kit, uinkits, is a complete design system with UI components that allows you, as a UI UX designer, to create your products as quickly as pressing a button.

Our design system includes components, icons, variables, cards, buttons, and everything you need for your design process. All you have to do is take your UI design component needed, and you’re ready to use it in your designs!