Which of the following best describes a wireframe?

A wireframe is best described as a simplified visual guide that represents a skeletal framework of a layout. It serves as a blueprint for the structure and functionality of a design, focusing on the arrangement of elements without delving into details like color, graphics, or text. This stripped-down representation allows designers and developers to visualize the core components of a project and establish the flow of information.

Wireframes are essential in the initial stages of design because they help stakeholders understand the project's direction and ensure that user experience considerations are prioritized. By emphasizing functionality and layout, wireframes facilitate early discussions concerning usability and navigation, allowing for adjustments before more detailed design work begins.

The other options focus on aspects that go beyond the scope of a wireframe. Detailed visual designs help to flesh out the aesthetics, while fully functional prototypes involve working systems that incorporate all design elements. A marketing strategy, on the other hand, pertains to the promotion of a design rather than its structural layout.