When Will We Need UI Prototyping Tool?

UI Prototyping tool is for creating UI prototype of your website or software.

Why we need UI prototyping? It may because:

  • We have design in mind but just can't make others understand easily...
  • Beta version is too late to collect user's feedback...
  • We want to make user testing ASAP...
  • We need some figures for design documentation...

The reasons to have a UI prototype may be various, as a result the prototypes can be classified as three levels:

Level 1: Sketching

A sketching of your website or software can represent your idea about that. It can ease the understanding and help communication.

Level 2: Refined Screen Mockup

Screen mockup that has refined rendering of UI, it is suitable of documentation and presentation. During the presentation, a page-to-page browsing may be useful.

Level 3: Interactive Prototype

Interactive prototype is more close to the finished product, it can provide a real user experience. In many cases it will be delivered to potential users to get feedback before giving the project a go.

Examples:

In many cases we will need UI prototypes, here are some examples:

  • Want to outsource software development?

    • You can design what the screens would look like with the UI prototyping tool, with the help of these screen mockups the developers will quickly understand what your requirements. In this case, Level 1 (Sketching) prototype is enough.

  • Plan to launch a new project?

    • If you plan to get approval of launching a new software project, you can use UI prototyping tool to make a quick demo and review it with the sponsors, then decide whether to give it a go. Level 2 (Refined Screen Mockup) prototype is needed in this case.

  • Need more feedback from end user before starting?

    • You can create an interactive prototype and sent to your potential users, they can go through your prototype and tell you whether they like the feature design.

  • Need to contribute ideas in a software team?

    If you are not programmer but you need to contribute your ideas in the R&D team, you can "draw" your idea with UI prototyping tool and share it with others.

There are many other cases that you may need UI prototypes (and the tools to create them). ForeUI provides the solution to create all these 3 levels of prototypes, you can download and try it out.