What are the software prototyping tools?

Prototyping is a crucial part of the process of turning ideas into designs . There are often designers who may ask ,“ Which prototyping tool is the best ”？ In fact, this is a wrong way to ask questions , Especially at present, there are many kinds of prototype tools , This is especially true in the environment where different demands have their own advantages . As far as designers are concerned , What I care more about is “ Which prototyping tool is the best for my goal at this stage ”？ ad locum , The author listed in 3 Recommended list of the most appropriate prototype design tools for common scenarios , I hope it helped you .

1. Low fidelity in design 、 Rapid interface prototyping

in 、 Low fidelity prototyping generally refers to limited functionality and interactive prototyping . They are more often used to describe assumptions 、 Design scheme and interface layout , The purpose of these prototypes is mainly for the initial presentation of ideas 、 Communication and presentation . The best tool for this scenario should be that it can be done in a short time , A tool that can visually display the whole experience process .

Features of the scene ：

• An initial presentation of ideas （APP/ Applet /Web/html5）
• Make fast

Tool recommendation ：

1. Balsamiq

Mainly used for making low fidelity 、 Wireframe sketch . In the field of low fidelity prototypes , especially Web Prototype design field ,Balsamig Especially popular . Use Balsamiq The prototype drawings are hand-painted images , It looks beautiful 、 Refreshing . It can be said that this product is designed for low fidelity prototypes , This piece of experience is incomparable to other products .

If you want to create complex interactions , Let's forget it ,Balsamiq The interaction of is basically an operation , namely “ Link to another page ”.

1. POP（Prototyping on Paper）

More alternative products , You can sketch by hand , Then take photos and transfer them to the software , Set the hot spot in the photo and add interaction . It is surprisingly convenient to design low fidelity prototypes . Its mobile terminal based playing method is unique among the software I listed . obviously , Operating on the mobile phone is its advantage , It's also a disadvantage . In a specific demand scenario , This product is sure to surprise you .

Two 、 Build responsive experience design

When your prototype project 、 When the design draft needs to be applied to different project sizes , At this point, you need a prototype design tool to support responsive layout . Implementing responsive layout has always been a difficult problem for prototype tool products , Most prototype tools operate by making several drafts for different screens , The following two products' unique responsive layout ability can help you faster 、 It is easier to realize one design while meeting the prototype design requirements of different platforms .

Features of the scene ：

• Build multi platform product prototype （APP、 Applet 、Web、html5、Pad）
• Time saving and high efficiency
• Ability to make complex interactions （ This type of project , Most of them need ）

Tool recommendation ：

1. UXPin

stay UXPin When designing a prototype , You can set your own breakpoints , And make style adjustment for each breakpoint interval . In preview , You can also switch breakpoints to see the effects of different sizes . Except for the response , The software also provides programmable components , State and logic , Version control and other functions , Is a very comprehensive high fidelity prototype design tool .

1. Imitator RP

Imitator RP It is a new prototype design tool launched by domestic tool manufacturer Moke . It integrates rapid design 、 Powerful interaction 、 Vector editing in one , And it's completely free ！

Imitator RP In terms of the layout function of the response book Uxpin More powerful and intelligent ： Just open the drawing board when making / The response of the group will automatically turn on the responsive layout . After opening , Drawing board / The components contained in the group will also automatically turn on the responsive layout , It's very simple “ Multi purpose for one draft ”.

3、 ... and 、 High fidelity prototyping

What is a high fidelity prototype ？ The simple understanding is ： Prototype design drafts similar to actual products .

It requires three elements ：

a. Realistic and meticulous design ;

b. Fill in the content as realistically as possible ;

c. As rich and comprehensive as real products .

This type of prototype is mainly used for professional explanation 、 User actual measurement and other scenarios . With the development of prototype tools , The time cost of making high fidelity prototypes is getting lower and lower , I will list three prototype tools , They are among the best tools for making high fidelity prototypes .

Features of the scene ：

• High fidelity is required
• Comprehensive functional support and efficient output capacity

Tool recommendation ：

1. Axure

The most famous prototype tool , It was as early as 、 How many product managers love and hate the most authoritative prototype tool . The comprehensive and powerful functions make it incomparably competitive in the industry , But high prices 、 Complex operations have also dissuaded many product managers or designers . Of course , If you are a product manager who pursues strong interaction and details , It would be a good choice .

1. Imitator RP

Once again, there is a mocker RP. Don't be surprised , As a prototype design tool tailored for the product development team , Imitator RP It can achieve rapid output and fine design . In terms of high fidelity design capability , Imitator RP Very good performance ：

a. Imitator RP Preset thousands of icon resources and components , You can choose at will , Its components have their own interactive properties ;

b. Support 13 Two ways of interaction , Almost all interaction requirements are covered , It's true “ What you see is what you get ”;

c. With professional vector drawing function , Support pen tool and Boolean operation , With responsive layout 、256 Design functions such as magnification and pixel level alignment , Can easily handle high fidelity design ..

Apart from the above advantages , Imitator RP Support flow chart 、PRD Documentation , The product manager can handle the needs of writing and creation in one stop . The most important thing is ： It is not limited to functions 、 Unlimited pages 、 No time limit , Absolutely free .

1. Flinto

stay Framer、Principle、Pixate And other foreign design tools ,Flinto Is my most recommended prototype design software , On interface design , You have to admire its design team ： concise 、 The atmosphere 、 The exquisite feeling will come at the moment when you open the software . But compared with the previous two tools ,Flinto The user base in China is too small , Learning materials and template resources are very scarce , Therefore, it is only recommended to users with strong hands-on ability .

summary ：

just as Facebook Design Director Julie Zhuo When we forecast the next ten years ：“ Future design thinking , It's product thinking ”. For designers , Should be more focused on design than tools . What needs to be communicated in the design process 、 Show what 、 Test what ？ What modules need to be built ？ What level of fidelity is needed ？ When focusing on design goals , You'll know what tools you're going to use .

It is recommended that all designers , Should be widely involved in the use of current mainstream prototype tools , Once needed , You can use . meanwhile , I believe that the best tool , You should have “ faster ”、“ It's simpler ” The characteristics of , Serve the design thinking , Let designers not be tired of tools .

Need to quickly create prototypes 、 Partners expressing design ideas , Do you have any ideas now ？