Wireframe, mockup, prototype: what's the difference?

Discover the differences between wireframemockup and prototype in UI/UX design. Understand the importance of each step for your project.

In this article, we'll look at the differences between wireframe, mockup and prototype in the field of UI/UX design. While these terms may seem barbaric to the uninitiated, they are commonly used by graphic designers and webdesigners. A wireframe is a basic sketch that represents the structure and content of a web site. website or application. It serves as a starting point in the design process, laying the foundations for the project. The mockup, on the other hand, is an aesthetic representation of the final product, enabling decisions to be made regarding style and graphic charter. Finally, the prototype is an interactive simulation of the final product, designed to validate the UI and enable users to test the interface. It's important to understand these differences to know which stage is best suited to your project.

The wireframe:

A wireframe is a graphic representation of an application or website. It's a sketch that shows the essential elements and content of the page. A wireframe is a skeleton, often created by hand or using specific tools. It's easy and inexpensive to produce, making it an ideal starting point for the construction of a website or an application.

The mockup:

The mockup is a more aesthetic version of the wireframe. It repeats the structure sketched out in the wireframe, but shows what the final product should look like. However, unlike the wireframe, the mockup is not clickable; it's simply an image. The mockup is very useful for making decisions on graphic charter, style and typography. It's a step that allows you to experiment with the visual side of the product and gather feedback from users.

The prototype:

The prototype is the most faithful possible representation of the final product. Unlike wireframes and mockups, prototypes are clickable and allow the user to interact with the interface. It simulates the UI and can reduce development costs by validating the user interface before the development phase. coding. Prototyping allows us to discover what works and what doesn't, and it can also help us come up with new ideas for improving the interface. However, creating a prototype requires more time and money than the previous stages.

In conclusion, the wireframe, mockup and prototype are important stages in the design process of a website or application. Each of these stages has its benefits and it's useful to go through at least one of them to achieve a quality end product.

The Codeur.com website offers a wide range of services to help you find freelancers, find customers and develop your business in the fields of development, graphics and design. marketing. On Codeur.com, you can easily find the best webdesigners to realize your project. The site also provides links to social platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Pinterest, WhatsApp and Email to make it easier to find freelancers.

Codeur.com has been the leading marketplace for French-speaking freelancers since 2006. The platform brings together over 250,000 available freelancers in the fields of development, graphics and marketing. Whether you need to create a website, optimize your website e-commerceto develop a mobile application or improve your referencing SEOWith Codeur.com, you can find the best freelancers quickly and free of charge.

In conclusion, the wireframe, mockup and prototype are essential elements in the design of an application or website. Each stage has its advantages, and it's important to go through at least one of them to guarantee a quality end product. Codeur.com offers a wide range of services to help you find a freelancer and develop your business in the fields of development, graphics and marketing.