Black and White Mockups
The vast majority of users scan Web sites therefore starting with a black and white mockup helps focus the client on the most important element of a Web site – content!
Over the last many years working as a Web designer and developer I’ve come to realize how valuable a black and white mockup is to the overall design process and removing the imagery, colors and other visual elements allows the client to focus on the layout, content and identifying the various “calls to action” we want the user to take. It’s really all about the user experience (UX) and providing key information that’s meaningful and useful to them.
Many designers, especially if there expertise is in graphic design tend to focus on the visuals and not usability, but no matter how visually engaging your site is if the content is poorly written or fails to meet the user’s needs then your competitor is just one-click away.
Based on my experience clients really appreciate the attention given to the site’s content, and together after the visuals are added the entire presentation helps to support and compliment the company’s overall messaging and brand.

#1 - Comment permalink December 8th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Hi Mario,
I would agree that detailed mockups with lots of color and visual eyecandy can be confusing for the client. Actually my expertise is in graphic design, however I tend to focus on usability and content in the first phases of a web project.
What to you prefer for creating mockups, a wireframing tool or just pen on paper?
Regards,
Ole Fredrik
#2 - Comment permalink December 8th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Ole,
I usually start with a simple sketch (pen & paper) and then create then actual graphic mockup in Fireworks. I’ll develop the homepage and one to three core pages (i.e. About, Services and Contact) and then add some hot spots to the main nav for each mockup so the client can easily move back and forth between designs.
I have my own server therefore I push the files to the development environment so the client can review and provide direction throughout the project’s life cycle. Of course, I use Basecamp
Kind regards,
Mario
#3 - Comment permalink January 27th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
this information most important for me.
thanks…
#4 - Comment permalink January 27th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Makinalari for taking the time to visit my blog and I’m delighted you found the information useful and beneficial.
-Mario
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