Wireframe a Website -- Ever Done It?

by J Bold

Posted: 15 years ago 6 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

So I have a friend that wants me to wireframe his website but I've never done that. I said I'd take a look at it and how easy it is to do and found some free software, online. Just wondered if anyone has done this before and

Honestly I've never even heard of doing this, until now, ha ha. Just wondered if anybody has done this and knows a way to do it fast.

I found this site gliffy.com that has some wireframe software. Anyone used it? Have a better way?

Thanks...

#website #wireframe

Jill Carpenter 15 years ago

I've used wireframe in video.

Not really the same thing.

From the site you gave, it does seem like it should be a simple thing to manage to sketch out what you want and where you want it.

Theoretically, this is something that could be used before handing off to a designer - and would make the actual web designer (theme maker) job a lot easier.

And it makes sense too - with plotting out how much copy needs to go on a page, etc.

I might have to waste a few hours playing.
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- jabs83 15 years ago
  
  Wireframing is something professional Web and UI developers do to show clients how a website will layout its info before actual design takes place.
  
  The wireframe is just a skeleton - just a collection of empty layout boxes. This is usually important when a site will be large, and information design will be a major factor in the overall visual design.
  
  Just another means to plan a website. As a professional web designer, I just created wireframes from scratch in photoshop using the exact dimensions needed, and then had the client sign off.
  
  If you have a design in mind already, just visualize all the different layout areas as empty boxes (ie left navigation, right sidebar, top primary navigation, utility navigation, footer) and you'll have a wireframe.
  
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- Brandon Tanner 15 years ago
  
  Pencil is pretty cool for that kind of thing...
  
  Home - Pencil Project
  
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  Rexibit 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Brandon Tanner
  
  Pencil is pretty cool for that kind of thing...
  
  Home - Pencil Project
  
  Way too clunky and unintuitive. I prefer Cacoo.
  
  As per the OP, a general Wirefram should start out as just blocks of where you want certain functions to go. Like a rectangle area for horizontal navigation across the top, a big rectangle block for a header above that, etc.
  
  It's for getting an idea of what something has in certain locations. Mockups come later and have a representation of actual colors and design aspects. Then after that, the actual coding.
  
  Thanks
  
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723Media 15 years ago

Hey redicelander,

Check out Balsamiq for wireframing. Wireframing is actually a good way to cut down your design time.

Balsamiq has some free capabilities but the paid version isn't bad at $79.

Balsamiq
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J Bold 15 years ago

Thanks guys it's been educational. I know I kind of abandoned this thread when I started it, heh heh. I went with Giffy and it's working for now.

Basically what he wanted was more of a visual site map, not technically a wireframe as some of you are describing.

I think he kind of misspoke and that's what got me off on this wireframe hunt, ha ha.
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