Low-fidelity

Published Jun 8, 2022Updated Dec 21, 2022
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Low-fidelity refers to the intentional absence of detail in a design. Low-fidelity design deliverables, such as sketches and wireframes, contain few design elements and are often a rough draft of what the final product could look like, with emphasis on what content will be used and where it will be used.

A design is considered low-fidelity when it contains little to no decorative elements and user interactivity. Low-fidelity wireframes are useful for gathering feedback on basic structural elements, such as information architecture on a site or hierarchy of elements within a page, without the potential distraction of visual design factors like colors and typefaces.

Low-fidelity wireframes help answer questions like:

  • In what order should the content blocks on the page appear?
  • Does the hierarchy of page elements differ between desktop and mobile?
  • Should a series of products be displayed as a grid or a list?
  • What is the most important message users should take away from this page?
  • Will this page be heavier on text or images, or balanced between both?
  • What are the main calls-to-action (CTAs) or links on this page?

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