Prototypes Introduction

Learn About Low-Fidelity Prototypes

Entering the Prototype Stage

UX design is a cycle of continuous improvement where teams come up with ideas, conduct research, and then update those ideas based on feedback. This process of iteration helps designers create the best possible user experience.

Prototype Phase

Now that you’ve moved through empathize, define, and ideate stages, you’re entering the fourth stage of the design process: prototype.

What is a Prototype?

A prototype is an early model of a product that demonstrates its functionality, without actually building the entire product. A prototype shows stakeholders and potential users what your design idea can do.

Key Benefits

User interaction: Users can interact with the prototype and provide feedback
Early validation: Test concepts before investing significant time and money
Stakeholder communication: Demonstrate functionality to team members and clients
Problem identification: Discover usability issues before final development

Understanding Low-Fidelity Prototypes

A low-fidelity prototype is a simple interactive model that provides a basic idea of what the product would look like. The goal is to make your designs testable so you can collect and analyze feedback early on.

Fidelity Levels

Low Fidelity: Simple, basic functionality with minimal visual detail

High Fidelity: Detailed, polished designs that closely resemble final products

From Wireframes to Prototypes

Key Difference: Interactivity

The biggest difference between a wireframe and a low-fidelity prototype is interactivity - the ability to click from one screen to another.

Wireframes:

Static representations of individual screens
Show structure and layout
No interactive functionality

Low-Fidelity Prototypes:

Interactive models that respond to user actions
Connected screens that users can navigate between
Demonstrate user flow and task completion

Types of Low-Fi Prototypes

Paper Prototypes:

Interactivity through human acting as computer
Manual changing of designs in real-time during testing
Physical manipulation of paper screens

Digital Prototypes:

Connected wireframes with clickable elements
Click on button takes user to next screen
Simulates real product navigation

Prototype Activities in Design Process

Align Research and Project Goals

Re-examine initial research conducted earlier in the project
Ensure research aligns with current project objectives
Ask key questions about goals, audience, competition, and deliverables

Create Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Develop user flows showing how users meet their goals
Identify user inputs and outputs
Sketch wireframes connecting information architecture to visual design
Create wireframe structures with basic content placeholders

Create High-Fidelity Wireframes

Digitize low-fidelity wireframes using tools like Figma
Add look and feel through visual design, content, and interactivity
Prepare for transition to clickable prototypes

Create Clickable Prototype

Add interactive components to high-fidelity wireframes
Enable users to click through and view connections between pages
Test interactions and connection points for each behavior

Create Functional Prototype

Support full functionality including microinteractions and animations
Enable features like drag and drop
Create experience that acts as closely as possible to final product

Purpose and Benefits

Visualization Tool

Demonstrates actions the product performs at any given point
Shows interactive elements and their functions
Illustrates how the product will function when live

Communication Aid

Presents ideas more easily to stakeholders
Explains functionality to developers and cross-functional teams
Creates shared understanding before coding begins

Testing and Iteration Platform

Allows user testing before development and launch
Helps detect unintended scenarios and usability problems
Enables iteration based on research and feedback
Transforms concepts into testable reality

Problem-Solving Tool

Works through design problems systematically
Identifies issues that aren’t apparent in static wireframes
Tests assumptions about user behavior and preferences

Low-fidelity prototypes are essential stepping stones toward creating successful products. They bridge the gap between static design concepts and functional user experiences, allowing teams to test, iterate, and refine their ideas before committing to full development.