Prototyping
Objectives of the Prototyping Phase
Section titled “Objectives of the Prototyping Phase”- Understand what a prototype is and why it’s useful
- Differentiate between low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes
- Learn about tools for creating interactive prototypes
- Understand the role of a Design System and a UI Kit
- Learn how these tools help save time and ensure visual consistency
Purpose of this Phase
Section titled “Purpose of this Phase”The goal of prototyping is to transform an idea into a testable model, so you can gather feedback before investing time and resources into full development.
Why Prototype?
Section titled “Why Prototype?”- Test and validate concepts early
- Quickly identify and fix design flaws
- Align the vision between designers, developers, and stakeholders
- Improve usability and navigation
- Reduce production costs by avoiding late changes
Types of Prototypes
Section titled “Types of Prototypes”1. Low-Fidelity Prototype
Section titled “1. Low-Fidelity Prototype”A simplified prototype that represents the general idea of the product without detailed graphics.
Characteristics:
- Minimal visuals (basic shapes, no colors or animations)
- Quick and easy to create
- Ideal for early user testing
Examples:
- Paper wireframes (sketches, diagrams)
- Digital wireframes (Balsamiq, Figma, MockFlow)
2. High-Fidelity Prototype
Section titled “2. High-Fidelity Prototype”An advanced prototype, close to the final product, with detailed visuals and simulated interactions.
Characteristics:
- Detailed graphics (colors, fonts, branding)
- Interactive elements and animations
- Ideal for UX/UI testing
Recommended Tools:
- Figma (collaborative and popular)
- Adobe XD (interactive design and prototyping)
- Sketch (Mac only, strong UI/UX tool)
- InVision (prototyping and collaboration)
- Protopie, Axure, Principle (advanced interactions)
Design System & UI Kit: Consistency and Efficiency
Section titled “Design System & UI Kit: Consistency and Efficiency”Design System
Section titled “Design System”A UX/UI reference guide that centralizes all visual and functional rules to ensure consistency across teams.
Advantages:
- Unified visual language
- Time-saving by reusing components
- Centralized updates apply across all elements
Examples:
- Material 3 (Google)
- Carbon Design System (IBM)
UI Kit
Section titled “UI Kit”A library of visual components (buttons, icons, forms…) ready to use for fast interface creation.
Difference between Design System and UI Kit:
| Criteria | Design System | UI Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Components + usage guidelines | Static visual components |
| Evolving | Yes (updates apply everywhere) | No (elements are fixed) |
| Purpose | Consistency and standardization | Fast design process |
- Figma UI Kits
- Search for Design Systems in the Figma Community
Final Summary
Section titled “Final Summary”- Prototyping helps test and refine a product before development.
- Two types of prototypes:
- Low-fidelity → simple paper or digital wireframes
- High-fidelity → interactive mockups close to the final product
- Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch simplify interactive design.
- A Design System ensures visual and functional consistency.
- A UI Kit speeds up design with reusable components.
Next step: user testing to validate and improve the prototype before going live.