Prototypes can help you visualize and test your designs before they reach development, help you understand how users interact with your work and help you spot issues in the flow of your designs. Here are some advice on how to get started with prototypes, along with some top tips to help them stand out.

When does prototyping come in handy?

Usability testing: Allows designers and developers to understand each other better

  • Involving stakeholders: Can test if GDPR consent boxes are displaying properly
  • Impressing clients: Provides client with a hands-on experience
  • Communicating your vision: Communicating the vision through a prototype

Laying the groundwork for successful prototyping

Grab all your notes

  • Gather as much intel as possible on plans and expectations for your prototype before starting
  • Start sketching out the stages of your prototype
  • Polish your draft
  • Even if you get it just right on the first try, you’ll still benefit from having a clear blueprint

Tips and tricks to make your prototypes pop

Quickly add Links

  • Hotspots
  • Set up usability testing
  • Starting point
  • Animation
  • Show or hide prototyping
  • Guide your testers
  • Maintain the Canvas cleanly
  • Create bigger contact spaces behind small icons

Best practices for setting up your prototype

Low fidelity or high fidelity

  • Consider your user
  • Build your prototype from the inside out
  • Think as your user would when interacting with the product
  • List the elements that are most important to your user by order of priority

Sharing your prototypes

With Sketch, you can open your prototype in either the Mac app or the web app, and instantly copy the link to share with others

Creating prototypes with Sketch

Insert an Artboard onto your Canvas.

  • This Artboard can serve as your first frame (a login screen, for example).
  • Continue to add different Artboards that reflect the different screens in your design flow. Once you’re done, connect them by using Links.

Usability Testing

Be clear about what you want to achieve

  • Identify the test objective
  • What will the beta tester need to complete this objective?
  • How much context should you give the beta test?
  • Pick the right audience for tests

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