A wireframe is an integral step in the web design process. It is a blueprint of the desired outcome. Think of the wireframe as a simple 2D outline that gives you a glimpse of the features and elements that will appear in the final result. So, what is fidelity in this context?
Fidelity means the level of detail on a wireframe. You can choose from low, medium, and high-fidelity wireframes depending on the requirements of your project. By now, you have understood that a wireframe is a simple representation of the end product. It needs minimal color, graphics, and styling. You can either create a wireframe digitally or draw it by hand.
Even though a wireframe does not look polished, it should comprise essential details. Read on to learn more about the three kinds of wireframe fidelities.
What are Low-Fidelity Wireframes?
Think of a low-fidelity wireframe as the skeleton of an application, web page, or virtual screen. There will be bare-bone elements present that will be implemented in the result. A low-fidelity wireframe can give website programmers and designers an idea about the placement of images, buttons, texts, and interactive aspects.
Wondering how to create a low-fidelity wireframe for a website? Well, you can do a quick sketch with your hands or simply use wireframe tools to develop this type of wireframe.
When Should you Use Low-Fidelity Wireframes?
You can use these if –
You have just begun the design process – Low-fidelity wireframes are simply sketches. So, consider them a rough draft. Although it will not be the final wireframe structure, it is still an excellent place to begin.
You have numerous wireframes to develop – Does your project has a vast scope of work? You can only spend a little bit of time detailing every wireframe. The best way would be to create low-fidelity wireframes for most pages.
Later, you can use high-fidelity wireframes to include more detail on specific outlines that require more clarity.
You have to finish a project fast – If you have plenty of wireframes to develop, you have to work quickly and keep the project moving. Low-fidelity wireframes are very useful in such a scenario.
What are Medium-Fidelity Wireframes?
As the name suggests, medium wireframes (also known as mid-fidelity wireframes) will contain more detail. It includes accurate spacing, buttons, and headlines. You can even display them together in a ” wireflow ” sequence. It will showcase precisely how the website’s pages will work together.
In the case of medium-fidelity wireframes, you can use a top-notch wireframing tool to ensure more accuracy and precision.
When should you use mid-fidelity wireframes?
You are Creating a Wireframe Map – If you do not know what a “wireframe map is”, let me explain – it blends a visual sitemap with wireframes for every page and developed to be extensive roadmaps for the development process.
In such a case, create multiple wireframes. Low-fidelity ones will not provide you with sufficient detail and clarity. Thus, it would be best if you went for medium-fidelity wireframes. Not only can wireframe fidelity be done relatively fast, but it will also be easy to understand for others later.
An Important Part of a Comprehensive Design Process – creating a medium-fidelity wireframe is usually the next step after designing a low-fidelity one. It is, however, if you can spare the time and budget for your project. When you add something more to your wireframes, it will let you develop your design ideas further.
Understanding High-Fidelity Wireframes
It is a realistic prototype that highly resembles the project’s final design. A high-fidelity wireframe can contain colors, images, typography, CTA buttons, and icons. In a “high-fidelity wireframes vs. mockup” comparison, know that the former will always have the upper hand. However, it takes more time than the above two fidelity types. Thus, you need to allocate more resources to finish it.
It is best if these wireframes are used for critical projects and those that the stakeholders treat as priorities. High-fidelity wireframes demand a higher level of detail; thus, you need to use top-notch tools to create them.
5 Instances When you can Use High-Fidelity Wireframes
The Last Stage of the Design Process
Only craft high-fidelity wireframes once you are entirely sure how the design will look. It will be based on several low-fidelity drafts. There should be minor visual changes to the high-fidelity wireframes, for example, the addition of photos, colors, and branding. Also, the functionality must appear at the forefront of the design conversation.
Test Complex User Interactions
With high-fidelity wireframes, you can communicate the different qualities of the product more conveniently. Since there will be more details, it will facilitate a more accurate judgment of the user interface (UI) attributes.
High-fidelity wireframes let you see the product’s form and function. It enables you to spot its strengths and weaknesses and make changes accordingly.
A High Budget
You should know one important thing – high-fidelity wireframes can consume plenty of design time and is generally very expensive to produce. Thus, you can go ahead if you have the budget and the right website designer.
Impress Investors
Preparing a high-fidelity wireframe will showcase your professionalism and potential. It can also help a prospective investor comprehend the utility of your project and clear doubts related to it. They can get a better visualization of the outcome.
Additionally, they will feel that you have correctly addressed the project's nuances and are now helping them better understand its workings. There is something that you should refrain from doing here – do not go with a high-fidelity version for wireframe fidelity.
You can opt for a medium-fidelity wireframe instead at first since it is less time-consuming. Use it to make a good first impression on your investor and, later, take things forward with the most detailed wireframe. It can undoubtedly be beneficial to you.
Long Project Timeline
High-fidelity wireframes are generally created last. Go for them If you have a long project timeline and can engage in an additional wireframe (other than low-fidelity and medium-fidelity ones).
With these wireframes, you can get what you want without too many modifications to the design while it is in production. You require high-fidelity wireframes to produce a great final product. Thus, they are worth the cost and time.
You will receive input from several experts that you can use while creating these wireframes. They are time-consuming, though, and thus, may not be suitable for projects with short timelines and restricted budgets.
Final Thoughts
The three types of wireframe fidelity versions are thus crucial for a successful website design. If you have trouble implementing them, you can acquire the services of a professional web design company.
