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Using Balsamiq in your classroom

Balsamiq Wireframes is the industry-leading rapid wireframing software that combines the comfort and simplicity of paper sketching with the power of a digital tool.

We are proud to offer instructors a long-term, extended trial for Wireframes for Desktop for the duration of your course, free of charge.

Summary

  1. Install and share with your students
  2. Review our lesson plan

Wireframes for Desktop

  • Native apps for macOS and Windows
  • Edit projects locally
  • No internet connection required (after registration)
  • Perfect for individual student use
Request Wireframes for Desktop

Install and share with your students

Once we review your application and you are approved for a free extended trial we will send you a key to share with your students (Desktop).

Wireframes for Desktop

 

Suggested lesson plan

User interface overview

The core of Balsamiq Wireframes is the editor, which is the same in all versions of our products. The editor interface is made up of five primary areas: the toolbar, the UI Library, the canvas, the navigator panel and the properties panel. Each is described below.

The five areas of the editor interface.

Navigator Panel
The navigator panel on the left shows the list of wireframes, assets or Symbols in your project. The currently selected object is highlighted.

Toolbar
The toolbar contains a series of icons for performing actions on other areas of the user interface.

UI Library
Consists of premade UI Controls that can be dragged onto the Canvas to create a user interface.

Canvas
The area where UI Controls are placed and arranged.

Properties Panel
A configuration panel that contains common actions (e.g. alignment, layering) and properties that are specific to each UI Control.

Visit the Editor Overview documentation for more details.

Balsamiq essentials

  1. Application intro
  2. The Toolbar
  3. UI Library + Quick Add
  4. Working with Controls
  5. The Inspector
  6. Images and assets

For advanced use, check out the tutorials and keyboard shorcuts.

Introducing wireframes to your students

In-class activities

1. Create your first wireframe Instructor guide (PDF | Google Doc)  
2. Copy an existing UI to learn how it was designed Instructor guide (PDF | Google Doc) Balsamiq project file (.bmpr)
3. Add a feature to an existing app Instructor guide (PDF | Google Doc) Balsamiq project file (.bmpr)