Prototype is one of the most critical steps in Product Design!
That's why this article will describe what a UX prototype is.
We'll also go over its uses, methods and tools.
In the end, we'll also see how a good UX prototype can optimize design projects.
What is UX Prototyping?
The core goal of UX Prototyping is to leverage visual capabilities to simulate the experience of a final project.
Prototyping tests and validates ideas, functionalities and product goals to ensure alignment across teams and stakeholders.
It's also great to ease design handoffs and guarantee every step of the process follows a same structure.
This step also helps identifying and addressing user needs and pain points and redirect efforts to solve them.
By usability testing prototypes with final users, UX teams can guarantee final solutions cater to actual needs.
A well-made prototype can also help to reduce costs and production times.
Where to Start with UX Prototyping
A blank canvas can be overwhelming after receiving a 50-page document.
Let alone receiving clients' disorganized comments, sketches on napkins or blackboard photos!
Prototyping blends data and ideas even before translating into potential solutions.
Collecting data details before putting the pen on the paper is essential.
This raises the question: "What are the steps to follow to create a good UX prototype?"
A robust procedure should start by asking key questions to get a clear image of what you're trying to achieve.
Some basic questions include:
- What are the goals of the project?
- Who is the product audience? What are their goals?
- What product type and what device is it for?
- What competitor products are people using?
- Are there standards or regulations to follow?
Types of UX Prototyping
Prototypes go through several iterations to get the best possible solutions.
These iterations often involve two main types of prototypes:
Lo-Fi UX Prototyping
Low-Fidelity prototypes are a quick way to translate a design vision into something tangible.
While they're often black and white with a lack brand elements, lo-fi focuses on structure.
Likewise, Images and texts are replaced with placeholders.
The goal is to ensure a solutions validates assumptions without heavily investing in design.
Hi-Fi UX Prototyping
If your prototype has survived the first round of comments, it's Hi-Fi time
A high-fidelity prototype showcases more detailed and tangible elements.
Here, every elements is located in the place where it should be in the final version.
Likewise, these prototypes also include final interactions and animations.
The main purpose of this is to visualize the product as a whole before further steps.
Approaches to UX Prototyping
We already classified prototypes on to fidelity level.
Yet, that's not the only choice you need to take to ensure good UX prototyping!
You'll also may have to select how to delve into both Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi prototypes.
Are you better on paper, digital tools or even HTML code?
First, there is Paper UX Prototyping, which involves drawing the structure by hand on paper or a blackboard.
This type is ideal for a first impression of the concept as it doesn't need a high-capabilities or tools.
Although they seems easy, Paper UX Prototyping must focus main areas and leave advanced interactions for later.
Contrariwise, Digital UX Prototyping is a straightforward way to have all steps within a same platform or tool.
This approach also enhances collaboration, as many tools allow several team members to work on a project.
Lastly, HTML UX Prototyping leverages HTML, CSS and JavaScript to get accurate results.
Yet, these prototypes take time, money and technical expertise.
Choose the best option considering both personal strengths and collaborative process.
You can also choose UX storytelling to test user workflows and journeys.
Putting yourself on the shoes of your users help acknowledge their roles and the challenges they may face!
Benefits of UX Prototyping
UX prototyping helps designers and teams picture ideas before wasting resources and time.
Likewise, prototypes help confirm assumptions, giving a clear concept from the beginning.
What's more, prototyping evaluates usability to balance it with potential profitability.
In short, the UX prototype helps to reconcile a better alignment with product teamwork.
When creating UX prototypes, it's essential to add meaningful content and interactions.
Mapping, testing and iterating is crucial for products destinated to thrive!
Conclusion
Prototyping is fundamental for the success of any UX project.
Visualizing and testing your ideas in early stages ensures intuitive, user-friendly products.
Looking to build future-proof UX prototypes? Get in touch!
