PROTOTYPING
The prototyping process involves creating tangible representations of potential solutions. These prototypes serve as visual or interactive models that allow teams to test and refine their concepts, gathering valuable feedback to iteratively improve the design, facilitating a more practical understanding of how the solution will ultimately leading to a user-centered product.
WIREFRAMES
Wireframes are basic, static representations of a webpage or app, showing the structure and layout without detailed design elements. They are quick to create and focus on content and functionality, making it easy for stakeholders to provide feedback. Early to mid-stage design to refine layout and functionality.
Static wireframes are stitched together comps that are generally created in a graphic rendering tool like Visio, Omnigraffle, or PhotoShop. These tools are especially helpful when product teams are looking for features that look to tailor a very precise interaction or business flow.
HTML MOCKUPS
These are more advanced than wireframes, as they allow users to interact with the prototype, but they don't have real functionality. They give a more realistic sense of the final product, helping users understand flow and interaction. The primary use is for mid-stage designs to demonstrate user interaction.
The expertise demanded of experience designers who are asked to create coded, interactive mockups goes beyond click and drag design. Knowledge and hands-on experience with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript libraries are necessary for some product teams, specifically when designing for Accessibility compliance like WCAG 2.0, Level AA or AAA.
INTERACTIVE TOOLS
There are many specialized software tools, such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, and Axure, that are designed specifically for creating interactive prototypes. These tools often have built-in features for collaboration, user testing, and sharing with stakeholders.
These tools and their output can be applied throughout the design process, and in a variety of stages in the design process - from early wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes.
SERVER LAYOUTS
LUsing a content management system like Adobe Experience Manager streamlines the prototyping process for product teams by providing a user-friendly interface to create, manage, and test digital content.
It enables designers and developers to rapidly iterate on product concepts, ensuring a seamless and user-centric experience before final implementation, ultimately saving time and resources in the development lifecycle.