Digital product prototype tools
Do you create interactive prototypes to demonstrate them to stakeholders or use the early-stage prototype for testing?
I do both. That said, I haven’t found any tools with which I am happy. Last year I jumped in and bought a design and prototype tool as soon as it was released. What I was interested in was how the tool could create the code behind the scene (design). It was true, but it also required coding knowledge. I tried to improve my skills, but shortly after, I discovered the code which the software creates wouldn’t be useful to the developers, and I also couldn’t afford any more time to learn.
These days most of the known prototype tools provide CSS properties so that the developers take the information from the shared artwork directly without specification documents from designers. Therefore the designers should be precise and consistent in design.
Now, have you experienced that when the developer sends you a link having a look at what they have built was indescribable? The reason I’m asking this question is because I have experienced this problem quite often. It makes me frustrated, and I want to do it myself, but I have to keep calm and concentrate on my duties. I start looking for a prototype tool which can provide basic HTML, CSS, even JavaScript for the basic structure behind the design. We need practical, realistic prototype tools to minimize gaps between design and actual product outcomes so that developers can concentrate and spend more time on the integration side.
These tools could help us discover patterns and to have a consistent layout and page structure in the early stage. Take out some necessary coding from the prototype and working on only minor adjustments. Avoid developers’ “pixel-push-request” aversion.
The quality of tools that can create interactive prototypes has been improving. Designers can express to demonstrate animations and interactions to bring everyone on the same page. I am hoping the tool will reduce the gap that pixel push requests; exchanging emails, Slack, JIRA messages. Is it time for designers design with HTML? Static design “mockup” screens are not enough for us to churn out features at such speed with digital products.
Should designers learn how to code? — Yes, we should. There may be a tool for designers to design in HTML soon.
