What's the best program to use to create wireframes?

Introduction

So, you want to wireframes using an Adobe product but you’re not sure where to start, luckily you’ve stumbled upon this guide!

In this short overview I’ll explain to you which of the multiple Adobe programs is best suited for you to start to create your wireframes, so let’s get started.

If you’re unsure why you should wireframe your next digital product, take a look at this guide here to explain the advantages.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe released its Creative Cloud ecosystem in 2013. An expansive set of tools designed for the creative mind. Before the online version (Cloud) there was the Adobe CC suite and even before that there were individual programs, but for the sake of this article, I’ll concentrate on the Creative Cloud set of programs.

If you stand back and take a look at the lineup of Adobe programs in 2020 you could probably pick out 3 which would be “suitable” for wireframing your next project.

They are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe XD. I’ll be completely honest with you, the first 2, Photoshop and Illustrator technically can do the task, but they are the wrong tools. Adobe XD is the correct tool and is set up specifically to allow its users to produce interactive wireframes in an accurate and timely manner.

Adobe XD

Adobe XD is the new kid on the block when it comes to prototyping software. However it’s quickly become the goto bit of kit for creatives, especially as it’s integrated so tightly into the Adobe ecosystem, but on top of that, it’s also free for none Adobe subscribers. You can download a copy of Adobe XD here.

Adobe Wireframes

Creating wireframes using XD is as simple as blocking out your page using the shape tool. Adding text and placeholder form inputs and then linking them together using the prototype tool.

The prototype tool is what makes Adobe XD such a powerful application. It allows you to create interactive hotspots which when clicked take the users to another page or section of the current page.It allows you to create hover effects and auto animations (essentially tweening between 2 different states of the same shape or component).

With these simple pieces of functionality, you can create interactive and understandable wireframes.

If this all sounds like too much effect. You can buy pre-created wireframe kits such as heywires. We’ve developed heywires to allow you to copy and paste pre-created components to build up your page.

You can then simply link these together to create your interactive adobe wireframe.

There are so many great resources to learn to create wireframes and websites on the internet. If I was you’d check out YouTube for relevant resources or even purchase a course on Udemy or a similar marketplace.

If you have any questions about Adobe wireframing, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or on our social media accounts, Facebook, or Twitter.