What is a wireframe?

Wireframes are schematic, visual representations of websites, applications, or other digital products. They are used to present the basic structure, layout, and functionality of a website or application in a simple and non-graphical way. Wireframes are usually simple, abstract drawings or models that are used to plan basic design and interactions before graphical design and programming begin.

The key features of wireframes are:

1. Structure: Wireframes define the arrangement of elements on a page or in a user interface. This includes positioning texts, images, buttons, forms, and other design elements.
2. Hierarchy: Wireframes help define the visual hierarchy, including the size, spacing, and arrangement of elements to illustrate the meaning and relationship between them.
3. Navigation: They outline the navigation structure, showing page links, menus, and buttons to interact with other parts of the system or website.
4. Functionality: Wireframes show basic features and interactions, such as clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating between pages.
5. Content presentation: They help with the placement of texts and images to plan the flow of information and the presentation of content.

Wireframes are useful tools during the design process, as they enable designers, developers, and stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the project early in the development process. They make it possible to make fundamental design decisions without focusing on aesthetic aspects, saving time and resources.

Wireframes can be drawn by hand or created using specialized software tools. There are various types of wireframes, from simple, sketchy representations to detailed and interactive prototypes. Which type of wireframe is used depends on the requirements of the project and the needs of stakeholders.