Agency Dictionary

wireframe

nounPronunciation: /ˈwaɪər.freɪm/

In Portuguese: wireframe

Design

What does “wireframe” mean?

A skeletal visual guide that outlines the basic structure, hierarchy, and functionality of a user interface.

Etymology

From wire plus frame; the design sense extends from the literal object, a frame made of wire, to describe a skeletal visual guide that outlines the structure and hierarchy of a digital interface without colour or imagery.

Usage note

A wireframe shows structure and layout without colour or imagery; it precedes a mockup, which adds visual styling, and a prototype, which adds interaction.

Synonyms

outline
sketch

Rhymes with

game
name
flame
same

Usage examples

Creating wireframes and prototypes in order to test initial iterations is usually fundamental to visualize the scope of the project.
Design.3 - The Disciplines of Design
We have Canva to easily manipulate images and graphics, Figma for wireframes and interfaces, Capcut to edit videos and audio, ChatGPT to help with research and ideas for writing, Grammarly to help with…

Concepts

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Words of the same theme

recipientnoun: The person who receives something. In communication, the one to whom a message is addressed and who interprets it, as opposed to the sender who composes it.
Superfluousadjective: Exceeding what is sufficient, necessary, or useful.
iconnoun: A simplified image that represents a thing by resembling it. In semiotics, a sign that signifies through likeness; in digital interfaces, a small picture that stands for an object or a function.
symbolismnoun: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, and the set of meanings that a form, an image or an object carries beyond its literal sense.
Desaturationnoun: The progressive loss or removal of chromatic intensity, rendering a color closer to a neutral gray.
Artisannoun: A skilled craftsperson who manufactures tangible or digital goods with exceptional manual dexterity and care.

Also from these editions: terms

Buttonnoun: A physical or graphical control element that triggers an immediate action or command when pressed or clicked. In software interfaces, buttons communicate system affordances through visual boundaries and labels.
vocationnoun: A strong innate inclination or sense of purpose toward a particular career, craft, or calling.
Consumernoun: An individual or group that acquires, purchases, or consumes physical or commercial goods and services for personal use. In marketing, consumers are studied for purchasing patterns and brand preferences.
Astronautnoun: A person trained and equipped to travel and operate beyond the atmosphere of the Earth. In space exploration, astronauts perform scientific experiments and navigate spacecraft under extreme conditions.
Typographynoun: The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. It encompasses typeface selection, point size, line spacing, tracking, and spatial kerning.
Screennoun: A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
stakeholdernoun: A person or group with an interest in a project or an organization and affected by its results, such as clients, managers, investors or users.
Rendernoun: A finished two-dimensional image or video generated from a three-dimensional mathematical scene by computer software. It synthesizes geometric coordinates, lighting algorithms, textures, and shading into final pixels.
Tangibleadjective: Perceptible by the sense of touch or capable of being physically grasped and measured in concrete physical reality. It distinguishes concrete material products from virtual or intellectual entities.
pain pointnoun: A specific problem, difficulty or frustration that a person experiences when using a product or a service, and that design or marketing sets out to solve.
briefingnoun: A concise set of instructions or background information provided to guide a project or creative assignment.
Mjolnirnoun: In Norse mythology, the hammer of the god Thor, forged by dwarfs and known for its short handle. It is the weapon with which he defends gods and humans.