Easy to use, web-based wireframe rendering tool | Mockingbird Review

Introduction

Wireframing is one of the most vital steps in design and development processes. And choosing an ideal tool determines the time and effort it takes to create quality application prototypes. However, with more and more UX tools hitting the market it is increasingly becoming overwhelming to identify the best platform for design projects. In reality, most of these tools come with features that suit varying needs hence no clear winner for all. Among the alternatives available for wireframing Mockingbird has continued to earn some reputation for it relatively balanced features.

What is Mockingbird?

Mockingbird is an easy-to-use, web-based wireframe rendering software tailored to allow users to work on their designs efficiently. Talk about creating, previewing, merging, and sharing web or application mockups, it caters for a frictionless creative experience. It provides an extensive list of features and series of commands that can be executed without limitation. With this tool, creative individuals can collaborate and brainstorm on various aspects of their projects and effectively work towards building unmatched designs.

Features

UI interface

Mockingbird has one of the most comprehensible UI interfaces for anyone to work on. Considering it employs an inbuilt JavaScript interface, you do not require any additional plugins to use its advanced features. The interface is drag and drop enabled giving way to rapid wireframing. Users can easily rearrange, edit, and execute the various commands Moving from a simple idea in the mind to concrete mockups is possible in minutes.

Export

With Mockingbird it is easy to save and export your work as PNG or PDF files. You can also edit these files to match different needs. The effectiveness of the editing feature further makes it stress-free to present mockups as professional-looking as possible.

Link and click between pages

This enables users to link multiple mockups together in simple touches. Users can preview the series of interconnected mockups and get a feel of the interactive visual impression from the apps.

Collaboration

Mockingbird offers sufficient team collaboration and interactive solutions for wireframing. Team members can collaborate live on the project, share links, edit mockups in real time. Edit and view features are designed to give users total control because the settings can be customized by giving view only or view and edit rights to others on shared wireframes.

Widgets

Mockingbird offers many types of widgets including video plugins, volume sliders, map integrations, and navigation arrows among others. The components can be annexed to mockups thereby allowing the development of virtually any element of websites. All the widgets can be resized to specific pixel dimensions and thanks to the screen-layering possibility some widgets can be superimposed over others. For instance, smaller graphics can be layered on top of larger images. This makes it easy if you need to add say a logo to a particular spot on your screens. So you can bring a little professionalism by adding registered trademark or copyright logo to your templates. Mockingbird’s ability to snap widgets in line with other added functions is also worth highlighting because it .enables an even symmetry in the process of development.

Link sharing

Thanks to this users can automatically share project items with others.  Link sharing eliminates the need for back and forth emails hence speeding up the design process.

Platforms and synchronization

Mockingbird is a web-based and is compatible with any computer system. You only need an internet connection to make use of it.

Pros:

• Has intuitive super easy to use interface so even newbies won’t find it challenging to master
• Produces clean results
• Has an impressive collection of widgets
• Great tool for wireframe mockups presentation
• JavaScript-based thus no plugin required

Cons:

• Unfortunately, it offers no desktop or offline version
• Team features are pretty basic

Pricing and license

Mockingbird is available under subscriptions plans for a full range of features and a free demo version. You can always cancel your subscription at will.

Personal

• $12 per month or $11 billed yearly
• 3 active projects
• Unlimited archived projects
• Unlimited collaborations

Team

$20 per month or 17$ billed yearly

10 active projects

Pro

$40 per month or $32 billed yearly

25 active projects

Unlimited version

$85 per month or $68 billed yearly

Unlimited projects

Other Tools

Apart from Mockingbird, there are plenty of other tools which designers can use to create wireframes. Moqups, MockFlow, OmniGraffle, LucidChart are a few which are also popular among designers. There is no hard and fast rule as to which tool a designer needs to use. They can use tools that suit their process, not just because someone recommends them to use a particular tool. Also, sometimes, the best tool to use for your wireframing process is the good old paper and pencil. Nothing beats that.