What is Mobile App Prototyping?: Guide to Create App Prototype

Developing a winning application requires thorough planning before the actual coding begins. It starts with a dream: a dream that is backed up by a comprehensive strategy.

Your hack for this strategy? App prototyping! This phase transforms your concept into actionable steps. It helps evaluate the app and its functionality even before it is fully developed. Resultantly, you can mark out the points of probable trouble so that you don't spend much time and energy correcting errors later.

This blog will discuss why you must put your full faith in the app prototyping process, and what steps can help you make the most out of it.

What is Mobile App Prototyping?

Mobile app prototyping involves developing models of your planned applications. These can range from rough drawings on paper to digital schematics. The purpose is to show how the app will work or what it will look like. By providing a proper visualisation of the concept, it helps keep all project members on the same page.

In other words, a mobile app prototype serves as a blueprint. It shows the app’s layout, design elements, and user flows.

By building a prototype, you can test ideas, make adjustments, and ensure the app meets user needs before moving into development. It reduces the risk of costly mistakes during and after development.

Why is App Prototyping Important?

There are several reasons why app prototyping is such an important step.

First, it provides a complete picture of the look to be aimed for by the end of the project. It can thus help you navigate the project in the right direction.

Second, it helps determine essential features which you’d require for testing and feedback collection at the beginning of the design stage. This way the problems are first detected during the development of a prototype and not later—when it can spill out of control.

Third, it improves communication among team members. Everyone can see and interact with the prototype, making it easier to collaborate and share ideas.

These benefits, in turn, bring in a ton of other uses, such as-

• Reduction of Risks

Prototyping assists in the early identification of design errors and the practical problems that a user may face in the future. This minimises the likelihood of having to make costly redesigns in the later stages of development.

• Enhanced User Experience

When you test the prototype with actual users, you can be sure that the app design meets their needs. You can follow the user experience principles for designing intuitive apps that pass the prototyping phase!

• Less Wastage of Resources

Addressing problems during prototyping is cheaper, easier, and less time-consuming compared to during or post-development.

Types of Mobile Application Prototypes

There are different types of app prototypes you can create, depending on your project’s needs and detail requirements. Each type, as discussed below, serves a specific purpose in the development process.

1. Low-Fidelity Prototypes

These are basic drawings or prototype screens. They are characterised by less emphasis on the specifics of structure and architectural layout.

Low-fidelity prototypes have proven to be useful for rough conceptualisations and preliminary meetings. They assist in conveying the ideas and concepts at the earliest, without detailing too much into the nuances.

2. High-Fidelity Prototypes

These prototypes are more detailed and include intricate interactive elements. They are preliminary models that give a very close representation of the final product’s form and operation.

High-fidelity prototypes are employed for the assessment and reception of feedback. They let users engage with the app and subsequently bring in more precise information for the developer.

3. Clickable Prototypes

These are web-based models that let users click through multiple screens of the app at the same time. They simulate user interaction and help in quick navigation across the app.

Clickable prototypes are used especially in investment or collaboration meetings and in front of stakeholders.

4. Interactive Prototypes

Such prototypes hold animations and transitions. They offer an immersive and real experience of how the app will perform when developed.

These prototypes help in testing and refining UX (user experience).

Now that you’re through with the benefits of app prototyping, it’s time you understand how exactly you can harness them!

7 Steps to Create a Successful Application Prototype

Creating an app prototype involves a few straightforward steps. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:

• Step 1: Start with an Idea

First of all, define your goals and needs for the app you are planning to develop. Next, specify the problem your app is going to solve and your target audience. It will help in the process of prototyping and will make sure that the application is relevant to the users.

• Step 2: Sketch Your Ideas

Begin with simple sketches. These don’t have to be perfect. The goal is to get your ideas on paper and start visualising the app.

• Step 3: Choose the Right Tools

Select a prototyping tool that suits your needs. There are many tools available, ranging from basic wireframing apps to advanced security tools.

• Step 4: Create a Low-Fidelity Prototype

Start with a low-fidelity prototype of your app, based on the layout done in the structure. The plan is to find out the basic architectural issues as early as possible.

• Step 5: Develop a High-Fidelity Prototype

When you are done preparing the low-fidelity prototype design, proceed with the high-fidelity type. Preferably, this prototype should look and work as closely as the final version. This is a prototype to use whenever one wants to conduct testing and gather feedback.

• Step 6: Test Your Prototype

Collect information about the design, ease of use, and experience. Use these recommendations as a basis for any change that may be required in addition to structural improvements.

• Step 7: Refine and Iterate

As suggested by the users, make improvements to the prototype. Ensure it satisfies all the requirements and has a pleasing UI (user interface). The prototype will act as a reference for the development team once the final version is agreed upon.

Best Tools for Mobile App Prototyping

Choosing the right tool is crucial for app prototyping. Here are some of the best tools:

• Figma

Figma is a popular tool for creating both low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes. It’s known for its collaborative features, allowing teams to work together in real time.

• Sketch

Sketch is another widely used tool for app design and prototyping. It’s ideal for creating detailed designs and interactive prototypes.

• InVision

InVision allows you to build interactive prototypes that can be tested with real users. It’s a great tool for gathering feedback and making adjustments.

• Adobe XD

Adobe XD is a versatile tool for designing and prototyping apps. It offers a range of features for creating both simple wireframes and complex interactive prototypes.

• Axure RP

Axure RP is a powerful tool for creating detailed prototypes with complex interactions. It’s best suited for high-fidelity prototyping and testing.

Factors to Consider Before App Prototype Development

To build an effective app prototype, consider these important factors:

• User Needs

Always keep the end-user in mind. Understand their needs and preferences. The prototype should be designed with the user’s experience at the forefront.

• Budget and Resources

Be realistic about your budget. Some tools and processes may be more costly or time-consuming than others, you must pick what fits your needs.

• Complexity

Depending on how complex your app is, you will need a particular type of prototype. A more complex app will call for a comprehensive and high-fidelity prototype.

• Time

Study and sketch your time limitations for the prototyping phase. Some tools and methods take less time than others. Choose a tested method that is ideal for your time frame.

• Feedback

Several cycles of testing should be prepared, as per the feedback you receive. Since prototyping involves multiple iterations of the design, feedback will help in enhancing the outcome.

Wrapping Up

App prototyping is a major activity in applications development. It helps you visualise your app as you design it and before it develops physically. The current prototype enables the provision of ideas, feedback and then make some necessary changes.

It saves time, money and ensures that the final product meets user requirements. Whether you’re working on a simple app or a complex one, a complete model prototyping is crucial.

If this is your first time to do application prototyping or you have an old approach to prototyping that needs improvement, some consultation concerning strategising can be valuable. Contact GrowthJockey today and let us help you iron out the bumps of your prototyping process!

FAQs

1. What is app prototyping?

App prototyping is the process of creating a preliminary version of an app to test and refine its design and functionality.

2 . How to prototype an app idea?

To prototype an app idea, start by sketching your concept, choose the right tools, and develop both low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes.

3. How much should an app prototype cost?

The cost of an app prototype can vary widely depending on the complexity of the app and the tools used. It can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.

4. What are the 7 steps to creating an app?

The 7 steps to creating an app prototype are: Define your goals, research and gather requirements, sketch the basic idea, create a low-fidelity prototype, build a high-fidelity prototype, test and gather feedback, refine and finalise.

5. How do you create a successful prototype?

To create a successful prototype, focus on user needs, choose the right tools, and iterate based on feedback.