How do I turn my product idea into something profitable?

How do you turn a product idea into your initial wireframes?

• Say you've got an idea for what a web product should do, and want to turn into concrete screens and interactions. How do good designers approach the process?

• Answer:

  Todd's answer says a good deal about the context around making wireframes and I agree with all those points. Looking at it from the "How-To" perspective there are some additional considerations, options and nuances. What is the purpose of the wireframes?  -user acceptance testing?  -demo to investor?  -communicating to the developers? Do a first draft in pen and paper. Make a Map First make a map/list of all the screens/modes. Arrange them down the middle of the page in the order of the typical use-case/scenario. Leave room in between for additional subscreens that come up as you go. Use room to the sides for common deviations from the standard and common error cases. Draw lines/arrows between them with the name of the action/button that triggers the screen/mode change. e.g. "Save". You can use the tiny sticky notes here. Try to keep the whole map on one sheet of paper. Cards for Screens Use one card or large sticky note for each screen. These can be place later in the center of a piece of paper to write call-out notes without writing on the "screen" itself. Detail the button/menu and tool placements in approximate sizes. In addition to black on white feel free to use white on black for high contrast highlights or grey on white for secondary actions.  Anything that will factor in usability tests. If it doesn't work in black and white (greyscale) it doesn't work. Keep Color Palette Separate Colors evoke an emotional response in people who can perceive them. The site colors are separate from usability, but very important to your identity and how you are perceived. Choose them like you choose a logo. Generate a dozen key colors. Choose the best four. Generate a small complimentary color palette for each. Select the best set from the four. The paired comparisons method can be useful here. Final Note Keep it fast and simple so you can do as many iterations as possible before settling on a final set. This is the least expensive time to add design quality; before you write a single line of code.