Glossaries
Mockup
What is a mockup in user research?
A mockup is a visual representation of a product or interface design that is more detailed than a wireframe but less functional than a prototype. It's used in user research to gather feedback on visual design elements and layout before investing in full development.
Synonyms: Visual design, High-fidelity wireframe, Design comp, Visual prototype
Why mockups are important in user research
Mockups play a crucial role in the user research process by bridging the gap between early conceptual designs and more advanced prototypes. They allow researchers and designers to:
- Visualize design concepts quickly and cost-effectively
- Gather user feedback on visual elements and layout
- Identify potential usability issues early in the design process
- Communicate design ideas more effectively to stakeholders
How mockups are used in user research
- Visual feedback: Researchers present mockups to users to gather opinions on colors, typography, and overall aesthetic appeal.
- Layout testing: Mockups help evaluate the effectiveness of information hierarchy and content placement.
- Concept validation: By showing users a more realistic representation of the final product, researchers can validate design concepts before moving to prototyping.
- Iterative design: Feedback from mockup testing informs design iterations, improving the user experience before development begins.
Examples of mockups in user research
- Website mockups: Detailed visual representations of web pages, including colors, images, and typography.
- Mobile app mockups: High-fidelity visual designs of mobile application screens and user interfaces.
- Product packaging mockups: Realistic visualizations of product packaging designs for consumer testing.
- Dashboard mockups: Detailed visual layouts of data visualization and reporting interfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a wireframe and a mockup?: Wireframes are low-fidelity sketches focusing on layout and structure, while mockups are high-fidelity visual representations that include colors, typography, and images.
- How long does it take to create a mockup?: The time varies depending on complexity, but typically ranges from a few hours to a few days.
- Can mockups be interactive?: While mockups are primarily static, some tools allow for limited interactivity to simulate user flows.
- What tools are used to create mockups?: Popular tools include Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma, and InVision.