When it comes to app development, there are many tedious steps to get through before the fun and games can really begin. After thinking of the idea and objective, refining the concept, and designing a user roadmap and architectural blueprint, the excitement can get underway.

This excitement is in the form of designing a prototype. Before mockups can be given to the developmental team for execution, the designs and prototypes must be explored, tested, and adapted. This means a lot of more hands-on work and trying out different things until the best formula is met. Essentially, it is a time to play with the concepts and see what potentials lie ahead in usability.

Prototyping is basically the act of creating models and giving things a test run from simple sketches to actual product interface, prototyping covers all basis before the wireframing can begin.

As for app development, prototyping is much easier and much more fun today than it ever has been before. With many software tools available, it means that designers can invest productive time in prototyping without wasting it on the actual development phase.

Technology makes prototyping much more simple as it means less time sketching and erasing, and more time drawing on a screen and clicking buttons to adjust things. The enhanced speed and efficiency of the prototyping stage is good news for app development as a whole.

A prototype can really be played with and experimented with after all the market research and key features have been sorted out. These provide crucial information that needs to go into the prototype.

When it comes to prototyping, there are some steps to follow that will ensure the success at the other end. These steps include:

  • Paper prototyping and sketching a rough idea (not too much detail) on paper
  • Using the initial wireframe as a review and sharing it for feedback and critical development
  • Create user case scenarios to address potential problems before they arise
  • Check the flow of the prototype and keep an eye out for any glitches that may occur

After these steps, designing an interactive prototype happens next. This initial interactive screen should focus on the interface and emphasise the main visual elements of the prototype.

Once the prototype has proven successful at this stage, the next step is the coding. Coding should first happen in a static mode. Once there is coding language established, the stakeholders get the first look at the prototype and see if it is truly user friendly and on the road to success. After the stakeholders, the more people who test the app prototype and try it out the better. Getting feedback from family, friends, and coworkers is crucial in app development and helping the prototype progress to the next level. All of this comes back to the main objective of the prototype, that being usability and user friendliness.