Skip to main content
joaosp
joaosp
Inspiring
January 31, 2019
Answered

Which screen size should I start making a wireframe from?

  • January 31, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 1306 views

Usually, browsing on Behance, Dribbble or other online stuff like those, we see wireframes only for desktop or only for mobile, so I'm still in doubt about something: when we need to make a wireframe (and considering the "mobile-first"), where should I start from? Desktop to tablet to mobile or the inverse?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dan Rodney

It depends on the project, but the idea of "mobile first" is that more some sites (many sites in fact), more people browse on mobile devices than on a desktop. Designing for the "norm" first makes sense. With that in mind though, if more people will be browsing the specific site on desktop, that could be what you design first.

You also don't have to think mobile or desktop first. When I design, I practice what I call "simultaneous design", where even if I'm designing for one size, I'm always thinking of (or mocking up) how this will work on the other size. This gets easier the more you design, as you learn issues that could arise for other screen sizes.

I hope that helps.

1 reply

Dan Rodney
Community Expert
Dan RodneyCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 1, 2019

It depends on the project, but the idea of "mobile first" is that more some sites (many sites in fact), more people browse on mobile devices than on a desktop. Designing for the "norm" first makes sense. With that in mind though, if more people will be browsing the specific site on desktop, that could be what you design first.

You also don't have to think mobile or desktop first. When I design, I practice what I call "simultaneous design", where even if I'm designing for one size, I'm always thinking of (or mocking up) how this will work on the other size. This gets easier the more you design, as you learn issues that could arise for other screen sizes.

I hope that helps.

— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
joaosp
joaospAuthor
Inspiring
February 1, 2019

That's exactly what I needed to know. I asked it actually based on a scenario I have here: I made a design test for a job position (I was not approved hahaha) which consisted on creating a landing page, just a desktop version. After a while, I decided to improve that design to show it on my Behance profile as I liked the work and it's good, but as I've seen and with this new "UX" wave in the current market, almost all designs I see on Behance "take care" of mobile approaches, so I thought I shouldn't publish something without some "ux research bla bla bla" and showing a mobile version of what I've done, to help me proving to the recruiters I can do mobile too. In this case specifically, I didn't make a wireframe before delivering the test, and since it's a good practice, I need to show some wires in order to make a good impression to recruiters so they won't think "he didn't know what he was doing on that design" or "he does not know what a wireframe is" etc. Then, I have the final design and now I need to display at least 1 wire, that's why I asked to myself "so now, which screen should I start?".

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices