Digital.gov Guide

Developing and communicating your design

This guide provides tools and approaches for developing and communicating your design.
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Prototypes

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    Method: Prototypes

    What

    A prototype is a low-fidelity version of the experience you are planning to build. It shows how the design will look and work, without full detail.

    Why

    Combined with other methods like usability testing or a cognitive walkthrough, prototypes help you test whether a design concept will work. You can create a prototype using different materials and to create specific outcomes.

    • Static prototypes help you get feedback on users’ intentions and various design elements. They are often done on paper.
    • Functional prototypes help you observe how users interact with the product. They are often clickable and coded in an online wireframing tool.

    Unlike wireframes, prototypes show interaction.

    How to do it

    1. Create a rudimentary version of your product. It can be static or functional. 
    2. Show structure and relationships between elements.
    3. Avoid detailed styling.
    4. Show the major interactions. Not all interactions need to be functional. 
    5. Prototypes are often used for usability testing.
    6. Iterate. Prototypes should be quick to create and even quicker to discard.

    Time required

    2 to 4 hours

    Wireframes