Prototyping

Save money and time by testing your designs before development.

Prototyping & High-Fidelity Mockups

Prototyping is an iterative design process that involves creating a simplified interactive version of an app or website design, then testing the navigation and user experience, and continuing to make improvements until the prototype is ready for development. This process results in reduced errors, savings in money and time, and a higher quality final product.

High-fidelity mockups are non-interactive, highly-polished static designs that resemble the final website, app or application. They include all of the visual elements like colors, typography, images and icons.

The Process of Prototyping

1

This process begins with defining user needs and objectives, research and strategy. Digitally drawn black & white sketches (wireframes) are created to visualize primary user journeys, including designing the navigation and basic page layouts, and adding minimal content focusing on essential information.

2

An interactive clickable prototype is created for testing the design and user experience. Usability testing may be performed to observe how users interact with the product. The goal is to identify potential issues and areas for improvement early in the design process, and make necessary adjustments. Comments and feedback can be written directly within the prototype.

3

Once the wireframes are approved, we proceed with high-fidelity design – detailed polished prototypes that will closely resemble the final product. They include elements like colors, styled typography and buttons, icons and imagery. Both a desktop design and mobile design are created for each main layout (not every screen). Once completed, the prototype is ready for implementation by developers.

Prototype or High-Fidelity Mockups

While the development of a prototype can take anywhere from 4 to 26 weeks, depending on the complexity and the level of detail required, my aim is to get feedback early and often, to speed up the design process.

Prototype

Est Timeline

4 – 26 Weeks

Est Cost

$60/hr

High-Fidelity Mockups

Est Timeline

1 – 3 Weeks

Est Cost

From 2,400

Sketching for wireframes
Finance App

What You Get

  • A shareable link to the prototype or high-fidelity mockup.
  • A design that is ready to hand off to developers for implementation.
  • Documentation which includes descriptions of the user flows and any functionality that developers may need to implement.
  • The design specs, graphics and copy that are part of the prototype or mockup, and that developers can inspect, access, and export.
  • A separate style guide for the developers with the color palette, typography and button styles, and icon styles, and annotations for any interactive elements and animations.

FAQs

The clients I choose to work with:

  • Are happy to complete the Discovery Questionnaire within 10 days and maintain timely open dialogue.
  • Appreciate that great design takes time – including thoughtful research, creative exploration, and pixel-perfect implementation.
  • Help keep the project on track by sticking to the original plan and commitments we’ve made together. It makes the process smoother for both of us!
  • Feel confident knowing you’re in good hands. I’ll be guiding the process with my experience and design expertise every step of the way, aligned with your goals.
  • Embrace collaboration and are ready to actively participate to help bring the concept to life.

Costs differ depending on the complexity of the project and level of detail required.

Prototyping may include the following work:

  • Research, content and design strategy
  • Creating a design system for the app, website or desktop application, whether it’s rudimentary or elaborate.
  • Designing elements for each screen
  • Designing layouts for both mobile and desktop.
  • Possible custom graphics and animation for interactive elements
  • The rapid iteration process of improving the designs based on feedback and testing.
  • Organizing and naming layers, elements and components.
  • Linking the prototype together
  • Documentation and Annotations
  • Creating a Style Guide
  • Communication and administrative tasks

The complexity of the project has a lot to do with the amount of work involved. This could be anywhere from 1 to 3 months or more.

The pace of the project depends a lot on how quickly you’re able to complete the initial pre-work, and respond to feedback along the way. With smooth communication, most projects are wrapped up ahead of schedule.

Before I can get started, I require you to complete an in-depth Discovery Questionnaire to ensure I get an accurate understanding of you, your business, products and/or services, target market, goals, vision, style, and the scope of work involved. This pre-work is an integral part of the process.

Once that is completed and sent to me, I will be able to determine whether to proceed with the project or not. Regardless, you will be able to save a copy of your answers. I will then send you my proposal and set up a free 15 min consultation for you to ask any questions regarding the project, proposal and pricing.

Once you’ve accepted my contract and made the initial payment, I can get started with the research and planning phase of the project. I will also ask for things such as login credentials, your logo files in original ai or eps format, copy/text, and any graphics and photos you want displayed on the site. Providing this content early in the process contributes to a more efficient, timely and successful website development project.

I charge $60 per hour for prototyping services.

For high-fidelity mockups, I accept payments in installments of:

  • 50% deposit to secure your project.
  • 50% payment prior to delivery of final files.

If you don’t have available users to test the prototype, you may want to purchase a user testing plan, such as on usertesting.com.

Yes, you can, but it comes with a caveat. A lack of familiarity with the Figma interface and tools may lead to unintentional edits or modifications, like moving, deleting or altering components or styles, resulting in loss of design consistency and possible confusion for the developers.

Absolutely. Just let us know your requirements so we can give you a new quote.

At the start of the project, I’ll provide a clear overview of the process, including key milestones.

I prioritize open communication, collaboration, and timely responses, to keep things running smoothly. If anything on my end ever causes a delay, you’ll be the first to know. Transparency is part of how I work.

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