Designers can use a prototyping tool to combine visuals, navigational elements, and interactions to create a solid representation of how a design will feel and behave. It is an indispensable tool for any UI/UX designer. Here’s a list of top prototyping tools that are used by the top designers in the field.
You can test things and refine the details with prototyping. The prototyping tool is a great way to communicate to decision-makers and stakeholders how the different elements of an idea will work together.
10 Prototyping Tools to aid UI/UX Designers
These 10 prototyping tools will help you in your design process.
1. Figma
Figma is a prototyping tool that enables collaboration and accessibility for UX designers and developers. It is available in a browser-based and cloud-hosted format. Figma is similar to Sketch and makes it simple to start using.
Figma’s flexible styles allow you to manage the appearance of text and grids across your project. Figma is enhanced by a number of plugins such as Autoflow to illustrate user flows and Figmotion to create animations.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Product Design A Success!
2. InVision Studio
InVision was released in 2011. Their reputation for delivering new functionality and adding to the design platform has made them a favorite among many designers.
InVision offers designers the ability to quickly create functional prototypes and share them with others using a variety of well-designed tools. There are many great features in InVision, such as a vector drawing tool, repeatable parts that can be modified site-wide, and tools to create animations and other dynamic visual effects.
InVision’s strengths include collaboration and communication. InVision’s strengths include collaboration and communication. LiveShare allows you to display a prototype with complete interactivity. InVision allows team members to connect and work together during a project.
3. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a vector-based tool for building prototypes. It includes tools to create interactions, transitions, and other dynamic functionality. It’s vector-based so it is easy to scale and resize elements.
Adobe XD works well with other Adobe apps such as Illustrator and Photoshop. It is nice to be able to edit Adobe images right within the application.
Adobe XD offers all the tools a designer needs, from conceptualization to high-resolution prototypes. They keep it updated with new functionality every month.
4. Webflow
We are, as you may have seen. We understand that you desire a faster and more efficient design process.
Webflow can handle two tasks at once. You’re not only designing and building a prototype but also creating a live website with all the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You won’t get a mockup, you will have the real thing.
Webflow allows you to create professional-level websites with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a powerful CMS.
Webflow is a fast way to create and prototype quickly. It doesn’t require any programming knowledge, so it’s a great prototyping tool regardless of your level. Webflow allows designers and marketers to collaborate.
5. Axure RP 9
Axure 9 combines the power of wireframing with prototyping in one package. This allows designers to create interactive prototypes with low- to high-resolution websites and apps without needing to code.
Axure RP 9 provides everything you need to create visuals, interactivity, and organization. It also includes a comprehensive documentation tool that makes it easy to keep track of tasks and notes and makes them easily accessible for those who are interested.
Axure RP 9 allows developers to have a more seamless handoff by allowing a prototype with all its code specifications and other assets to be published on their cloud.
Axure RP9 is designed for designers who want more out of their prototyping tools.
6. Origami Studio
You can build an app for your Facebook designers if you don’t have one. Origami Studio was developed for Facebook designers, and Facebook generously shared it with all of the design community.
Origami Studio is a powerful prototyping tool for mobile apps and websites. Origami Studio’s core feature is the patch editor. This allows you to create logic, behaviors, and animations as well as interactions. The site suggests that you will use only 15-20 prebuilt patches for prototyping.
Origami Studio has a steep learning curve, which can seem daunting at first. It is worth the effort to learn how to use their prototyping tools and create sophisticated prototypes. Origami Studio is a powerful tool that allows designers to do more than standard prototyping.
7. Justinmind
Justinmind is a very popular tool for prototyping. There are many reasons why Justinmind is so popular. From drag-and-drop functionality to the ability to create simple to complex apps and web prototypes to the support like videos and blogs to help with how to use it, to the ease of use, to the extensive support such as videos and blogs. Although Justinmind isn’t as popular as other prototyping tools, they are certainly an up-and-coming tool.
Justinmind includes a user interface prototype tool, templates, and libraries, along with many other useful features. You can create logic for conditional navigation. It also allows you to perform user testing and facilitates design team management. Justinmind can be integrated with Adobe Suite, Azure DevOps Server, and Jira to create a workflow.
Its simplicity makes it an ideal starting point for UX designers but also provides enough options for advanced designers.
Also read: How to Develop A Successful Mobile App?
8. Sketch
Many UX designers use sketches in their workflow — and it’s a good thing.
Sketch’s functionality is based on uniformity and consistency. With a smart layout feature, reusable elements can be reused across the site. It changes their dimensions according to what content they contain. Easy use is another benefit. Sketch has a user interface that is well designed and a lot of shortcuts to help you speed up the design process.
Sketch is a standard in wireframes and prototyping. Many designers consider it a preferred tool. Sketch’s user-friendly interface and feature-packed design are just two reasons that so many designers use it.
9. Fluid UI
FluidUI’s software allows for rapid prototyping. Fluid UI prototyping tools have a wide range of libraries that can be used for material design, gestures, Windows, and iOs. Fluid UI’s simple interface makes it easy to combine these components.
10. Marvel
Do you need a tool to quickly create apps and websites? It’s free! Marvel offers a complete set of prototyping tools without sacrificing functionality.
Marvel allows you to go beyond static mockups. It allows for interactivity and dynamic transitions, as well as gestures, to bring prototypes to life and create a user experience. The handoff tool allows developers to access all the code and assets from their current version and then create a live website.
Marvel’s collaborative features allow anyone on a design group — regardless of how far apart they are or what stage of production — to add notes, make changes and share ideas in real-time.
Leave a comment