Prototyping has been around for a long time, but with new tools and techniques, it has recently become mainstream. Let’s talk about the benefits of adding prototyping to your design process, and why you won’t regret it.
Prototyping has become an essential part of the design process for website builds and mobile applications. It helps clients, stakeholders, and internal teams assess and understand the functionality and interactivity of a site during the build. To better understand the benefits of a prototype, let’s start with what classifies as a prototype.
A design prototype is a simulation of what the user will experience on a website or interactive design project. There are two varieties of prototyping: low-fidelity and high-fidelity.
A low-fidelity prototype can be as simple as using a pen and paper to show the progression and intended functionality of a page. This prototype approach sets the groundwork for interactivity, and it can also be used as a precursor to a successful high-fidelity prototype.
A high-fidelity prototype is a much more detailed, clickable model that users can interact with. It is often created using programs such as Adobe Experience Design (XD).
Prototyping tools make it easy to get your interactive ideas “on paper” and allow you to better explain your thoughts on project functionality.
There are many programs available that designers can use to make streamlined, well-developed prototypes. At Imarc, we recommend Adobe XD, Invision, Sketch, Figma, Keynote, Google Slides, and of course old-fashioned pen and paper.
Most programs allow users to click between design screens that mimic user interaction. All in all, the programs create a better sense of what the user will experience in the finalized design: sticky navigation that scrolls with the user, parallax imagery, rollover effects, and so much more.
For someone who hasn’t had much experience with the process, prototyping may seem daunting. But don’t let that deter you! In reality, there is a wide range of prototyping techniques for all skill levels, and you just need to find the one that works best for you. No matter what, adding a prototyping phase to your projects will greatly improve your process by taking the guesswork out of your functionality.
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Edited by Kelly Morrison // Originally published on imarc.com