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Wireframe & Wireframe Design in 2012

Posted On : Dec-26-2011 | seen (398) times | Article Word Count : 724 |

If your users want an interactive and personal experience, your wireframes will have to reflect this.
The wireframe is a useful tool to help you visualize the layout of your website. As technology is set to advance even more in 2012, will we still be able to use wireframes in the same way? Here are a few things you will have to consider in the future when coming up with your wireframe designs.

Wireframes and touch screen computing

Many consumers already have touch screen phones and devices, such as the iPad, but 2012 is going to see an increase in the number of these users. With the introduction of the Kindle Fire, a new, more affordable tablet device will be available on the market. Operating systems such as Windows 8 and Mac OS X Lion focus heavily on interactive elements. For example, the login process for Windows 8 will see users tap or circle the elements of a picture that they find important. This demonstrates just how innovative manufacturers are becoming in their efforts to make computing personal and interactive.

How will this affect the way we use wireframes?

If your users want an interactive and personal experience, your wireframes will have to reflect this. The wireframe can no longer be designed with only the mouse and keyboard in mind. Wireframes must be created for a range of platforms and users. You must consider whether your wireframe translates well to all types of devices. Are the button sizes in your wireframe the right size for touch-screen users? Is your wireframe representing a user interface that simple and easy to navigate? With new hardware being produced at extraordinary speed, there will always be a new device or operating system to consider. One of the benefits of wireframes is that you can create a fundamental wireframe prototype, which you can then adapt according to the different operating systems.

Wireframes and bendable screens

Phones with flexible screens may well be introduced in 2012. What does this mean for the future of mobile devices? It means there will be even greater potential for user interaction, as users will be able to bend their screens to zoom in or out of a web page. This sees technology moving towards a more durable and interactive future. There could even be potential for screen sizes to adjust to the size of both phone and a tablet. A new challenge for wireframes to incorporate varying screen sizes. Do we need a new type of digital wireframe to represent these advances?

How will this affect the way we use wireframes?

Wireframes are used to help us visualize what our websites and apps will look like, but most importantly wireframes help us consider how our users will respond to our designs when we use the wireframes for early user tests. With the introduction of flexible screens, phones will inevitably be more durable in the future. This means devices will be used in even more contexts than currently. When creating your wireframe, you will have to consider the person who is using your app or visiting your website. Already we have to consider that people using a tablet device often have other distractions around them. That means your wireframes have to be simple and easy-to-use.

Wireframes for the innovative

As more and more types of hardware are hitting the market, users will get used to new methods of interaction. It’s important that this is reflected in the way you use wireframes. You can no longer use wireframes with a standard PC in mind. Instead you must consider people with mobile and touch screen devices. Wireframes can be developed from the initial stages of your concept and be adapted according to the device the application will be used on. As technology moves forward, also consider how you can use new technology when creating your wireframes. Can you prototype your wireframe on an interactive device? Think of the advantages of being able to see your wireframe on the device it is being created for. You may consider layout changes in your wireframe that you never considered before. Ultimately wireframes should be used to get your prototypes made as quickly and as effectively as possible. Remember you should use wireframes as a tool to help you be as innovative, creative and efficient as possible in getting your designs up on screen in 2012.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Wireframe & Wireframe Design in 2012_124612.aspx

Author Resource :
Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Wireframe, Wireframes, Wireframe Software, Interface Design Software, Online Wireframe Tool, Wireframe Tool, Interface Prototyping, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing and Digital Paper Prototyping. User centered design for improved UI Design.

Keywords : interface design, wireframes, user interface design, UI design, interface design software, interface design tool, wireframe ,

Category : Computers : Software

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