I’ve been mulling this one over in my head for sometime. We all know that we, as a profession, are in this state where the Wireframe defines us to outside communities. When we interview for jobs we are asked about our wireframing skills. When businesses talk about us they say “and you’ll do the wireframes”. This has been an ongoing problem in our world, and it is one that I see coming to a head.
Of course the big problem with this view point is that we are SO MUCH more than wireframes. We know that, and we also know that what goes into creating a wireframe is so much more than mere drawing skills. But outside of the UX kingdom, our message is not being heard. Instead the message that we are the Wireframe is becoming ever stronger to companies thinking about budgeted projects and setting dollars to project activities. I believe that we are slowly but surely either being folded into the low paying wireframe only business, or that we are being pushed out of it completely, in lieu of more low budget staff.
I think there are a couple of ways to approach this. First we could just all start outsourcing wireframes. I ask you, what would this mean to the UX community? How would this work out for us in positive way, if at all? Another option is that we hold on to the wireframe more tightly and let it take over our entire being, something that I doubt many of us wants.
Therefore, I’m raising the question. Is the wireframe process outsource-able, and should it be outsourced in order to rid UX of the term wireframer (gah I hate that one)? Is it time that we started looking at and dissecting our profession, as other businesses do for us, and shave off the shaveable parts? Can the process even be outsourced? What would the outcome be of this process? Maybe it would just harm the profession overall?
From my point of view I would say Yes this work should absolutely be outsourced in some way, but I’m wondering if I’m jumping to conclusions. So, I’m looking to you, the UX community to tell me what you think… and don’t hold back.