User Interface Prototyping and Wireframing Tools
A website prototype or wireframe is used in interface design to suggest the layout, structure and content of an individual page, or an entire website. Prototypes and wireframes allow for the development of variations of a layout to maintain design consistency throughout the site. They help to reflect and create user expectations, and provide a means for evaluating and making changes to Web pages. Wireframes can range from simple drawings to high-fidelity simulations that allow navigation among several pages. Frequently, wireframes are used to facilitate communication between management, potential users and designers.
Visio
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/default.aspx
Workflow for Microsoft Visio
Export clickable prototypes
Define your clickable areas, hit "Generate Prototype" and BAM - you have a working simulation of your work!
Best of all, the files generated are all HTML and JPG so they can be viewed in any modern browser, uploaded to a server, or even compressed and emailed to a client.
Axure
The chart below compares design tool features divided into 5 key benefits:
Design efficiently.
Experience your design early to test ideas.
Engage stakeholders to gather valuable feedback.
Automate specifications avoiding tedious documentation.
Enable design collaboration.
While other tools are OK at getting the job done, Axure RP excels at delivering these benefits without exceeding project constraints.
Balsamiq Mockups
http://www.balsamiq.com/products/mockups
Using Balsamiq Mockups feels like you are drawing, but it's digital, so you can tweak and rearrange controls easily, and the end result is much cleaner. Teams can come up with a design and iterate over it in real-time in the course of a meeting.
Improve your Usability: Explore Different Designs in Minutes.
Get to Agreement Early with a tool everyone can use.
Cut down spec-writing time: Spend your time coding, not churning.
Use it with your clients: Let them help you bring their vision to life.
Integrated in the way you work.
$79
ForeUI
ForeUI is a handy UI prototyping tool. It can rapidly create static or interactive, skinnable UI prototypes of your website or software. You can use ForeUI to:
Create mockup for the GUI in your mind and make others understand quickly.
Make working prototype of website or software to collect feedback from potential users.
Perform usability testing before releasing the beta version.
Generate the schematics that can be inserted in the design documents.
Cost: $79
HotGloo
The Online Wireframe Application
Sprout Builder
http://sproutinc.com/solution/sprout-builder/
Sprout Builder is a visual authoring studio that allows creative professionals to quickly and easily create branded, rich-media content and widgets.
Sprout Builder is a great solution for independent designers tasked with building mash-up applications and widgets as well as creative agencies looking for a solution to quickly build mock-ups of Flash content.
Cost: Range from $19 to $299 a month
Uhuroo
http://www.uhuroo.com/home.html
With Uhuroo, multiple users can save, share and modify information at a central online location. What's more, your information is categorized and easily accessible anytime, anywhere, making document management easier. It's your solution for all those messy email exchanges which are difficult to keep track of. Manage your data with Uhuroo.
