On Apr 16, 2008, at 10:20 AM, Connor, Adam wrote: > [..] Here's how I differentiate: > > Wireframes - standalone "illustrations" of screens void of graphic > treatment, with indications of functionality and screen flow. > Prototypes - interactive versions of screens with varying levels of > graphic treatment/fidelity. The interactivity of the screens should > mimic the intended functionality of the final product.
Just came off this discussion at the IA summit. It's really fuzzy when you're discussing wireframes vs. a prototype, as in reality prototypes can be a very broad range of things. However, the one thing the group I was discussing this with agreed on is that a wireframe doesn't have to have a sequence of events, or display a sequence of screens. On the other hand, to be considered a prototype it would need to have some type of sequence, the ability to move from one state/screen/page to another, or the ability to simulate moving from one point/state/screen to another point/state/screen. For instance, a prototype could be made up of a series of wireframes that communicate how a customer/user would move through time and/or space. A wireframe doesn't have that stipulation. This was the one thing we all agreed on. There was some initial disagreement as to whether or not prototypes had to be interactive— half thought yes, half thought no. After we came to the consensus that prototypes required the ability to show/communicate movement through time/space, then there was consensus that prototypes could be built of static screens stitched together w/o having to be truly interactive— they could fake it. Cheers! Todd Zaki Warfel President, Design Researcher Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. ---------------------------------- Contact Info Voice: (215) 825-7423 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AIM: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog: http://toddwarfel.com Twitter: zakiwarfel ---------------------------------- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not. ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
