Participatory Methods
Wireframe
Wireframe gives teams a repeatable qualitative research practice. It keeps everyone aligned around design & prototyping by helping you design and present application or website content structures, communicate with clients, and prepare for the creation of interactive prototypes and testing. Grounded in participatory methods, the method turns insight into tangible next steps.
Goal
Design & Prototyping
Group
Qualitative Research
Users
Indirect User Involvement
Overview
A Wireframe is a low-fidelity visual representation of a webpage or application's layout and functionality. By outlining the structure, content placement, and navigation, Wireframes serve as a blueprint for design and development. They are valuable in user interface design, website planning, and prototyping, where defining the fundamental framework guides collaboration, user testing, and iterative refinement. Wireframes bridge the gap between conceptual ideas and functional design, fostering alignment and efficiency.
Step-by-Step Procedure
5 steps to complete
1
Step 1
Start by sketching out the basic layout on paper to get an idea of what the page layout will look like. You can proceed manually or use a special editor.
2
Step 2
Consider the content hierarchy of the pages or application.
3
Step 3
Choose a visual background for working with the spaces between the boxes (e.g., grid) and place the individual boxes. Determine the format and hierarchy of headings and boxes.
4
Step 4
Final adjustments and highlighting of individual parts are typically made in shades of gray.
5
Step 5
Present and test the wireframe. With each iteration, the wireframe may become more complex. When it is merged with graphics, it becomes a mock-up.
Method Complete
Real-World Examples
See how this method is applied in practice
Understanding Deal Discovery Behavior
Research conducted with Groupon users to understand how they discover and evaluate local deals. Participants included frequent buyers in the Food & Drink and Health & Beauty categories, as well as occasional users. The study revealed that users rely heavily on personalized recommendations and location-based filtering, with visual imagery and merchant ratings being key decision factors. Users also expressed interest in occasion-based browsing like "date night deals" or "weekend activities."
Local Merchant Experience Research
Study with restaurant, spa, and fitness business owners to understand their experience with Groupon's merchant platform. Participants included both new merchants in onboarding and experienced merchants running multiple campaigns. Findings showed merchants struggled with understanding optimal pricing strategies, setting deal capacity, and interpreting performance analytics. Many requested competitive benchmarking and seasonal promotion guidance.
Deal Redemption Experience Study
Research with Groupon customers who recently redeemed deals at local businesses. The study focused on the in-person redemption experience, including showing vouchers to merchants, handling booking requirements, and resolving issues. Insights revealed that users felt anxious about merchant acceptance and wanted clearer communication about what to expect during redemption.
Deliverables
What you'll produce from this method
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Rough sketches or simple digital designs of the website/app layout to illustrate the basic structure and key elements of the user interface. Typically, low-fidelity wireframes are used in the early stages of the design process.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Detailed, pixel-perfect, and often interactive digital representations of the final user interface design, showcasing the final layout, content, and navigation structure. High-fidelity wireframes are used to review designs with stakeholders and for usability testing.
Wireframe Annotations
Detailed notes and explanations accompanying wireframes, explaining the purpose, rationale, and functionality of specific UI elements and interactions, aiding communication among team members and stakeholders.
Clickable Prototypes
Interactive wireframes, often created using high-fidelity designs, that allow users to navigate through the app or website to test its functionality and usability. Clickable prototypes are used for usability testing and stakeholder demonstrations.
User Flow Diagrams
Visual representations of the various paths users can take within the app or website, based on the wireframe design. User flow diagrams help identify possible issues and opportunities for improvement in the user journey.
Responsive Design Wireframes
Wireframes that showcase how the app or website will adapt to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring a seamless user experience across multiple platforms.
Wireframe Version History
Documentation of the different iterations and versions of the wireframes throughout the design process, providing a clear record of changes made and decisions taken during the course of the project.
Usability Testing Results
A summary of the findings from usability testing conducted on wireframes or clickable prototypes, capturing user insights and feedback to inform design improvements and iterations.
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