What is Mockup in Website and App Development & Its Features?
In the world of web and graphic design, visual presentation is essential. Mockups are powerful tools that allow designers and companies to showcase products, applications or websites in an attractive and professional way.
What is a Mockup?
When asked what a mockup is, it is a visual representation or model of a final design. It is used in the design process to show how a product, website, or application will look once completed, but it is not yet a functional product. It is a static image that reflects the appearance, structure and visual style of the project.
A mockup can include the UI design of a mobile app, a website preview, or even an image of a physical product like a t-shirt or mug with a logo printed on it. These designs help brands visualise what the final result will look like before moving into the production or development phase.
Mockups are essential in web design, as they allow designers and clients to see if the project aligns with visual expectations before making any additional investment.
What is a Mockup for?
Mockups serve multiple purposes in the creative process, helping both designers and clients get a clear view of the final outcome of a product or website. Here are some of the most important functions of a mockup:
Most important features
Preview
It allows you to see how the final design will look without having to make large investments of time or money. This way, if something is not to your liking, adjustments can be made at an early stage.
Professional presentation
Mockups help to present products or projects in a more professional manner, facilitating communication between the designer and the client or between a company and its investors.
Style and functionality tests
Although mockups are not functional, they can show different visual styles, colours, fonts, and element layouts. This is especially useful in web design.
Immediate feedback
They make it easier to obtain feedback from clients, as they can see the project in a tangible way and make suggestions before it is finished.
In short, mockups allow you to visualise, correct and optimise any project before moving on to final development or printing, saving time and reducing costly errors.
What a mockup should have
For a mockup to be effective and fulfil its purpose, it must contain certain key elements. This ensures that both the client and the designers can correctly evaluate the project.
Important components
- Visual clarity: The mockup design should be as clear as possible without overloading it with details. It is important to focus on the fundamental aspects of the design, such as structure, colours and typography.
- Appropriate context: A mockup should be presented in an appropriate context. If it’s a web page design, it should be displayed in a browser frame. If it’s a physical product, it should be viewed in the environment where it will be used (e.g. a t-shirt seen on a person).
- Scalability: The design should be adaptable to different sizes or platforms. This is especially important in web design projects, where the site needs to look good on both mobile devices and computers.
- Realistic simulation: Although it is not a functional product, the mockup should look as close as possible to the final design. This increases its credibility and facilitates decision-making.
- Appropriate format: Mockups are usually created in programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator or Sketch and should be in a format that is easy to edit and adjust according to the client’s needs.
Mockup Examples
To better understand what a mockup is and its practical use, below we present some examples of how they can be used in different contexts:
Website Mockup
Web mockups are essential for showing how the final design of a website will look before it is developed. This type of mockup includes all the key visual elements, such as page structure, buttons, text and images.
Mobile App Mockup
These are visual representations of what a mobile app’s interface will look like. They include splash screens, menus, and interactive buttons, helping developers get a clear picture of the final product.
