Prototype is an early, interactive model of a product or system used to test design ideas, user flow, and functionality before full development. It represents how an application or website will look and behave, without being a complete final product.
In UI/UX design and software development, prototypes help teams validate concepts, gather user feedback, and identify design or usability issues early in the development process. They can range from simple wireframes to highly interactive simulations.
For example:
- A clickable mobile app design is created to test navigation before coding.
- A website prototype is shared with clients for feedback on layout and features.
- UX designers test user flow using an interactive mockup in Figma or Adobe XD.
- A startup builds a prototype to validate a product idea before full development.
Common technologies and concepts related to prototypes include:
- Wireframing
- UI/UX Design Tools (Figma, Adobe XD)
- User Testing
- Mockups
- Interactive Design
- Design Systems
- MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
- User Flow
- Feedback Iteration