August 19th, 2010 | 
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Fifteen years ago, there was almost no website prototyping. At most, people used to draw a rough sketch of the appearance of the page. Fortunately, this has changed a lot, and we can create prototypes to a high level of detail.
Let’s detail how they can be and what are their uses.
Paper and pencil prototype
The first prototypes. Most usability tests still use them, although there are better ways to do that. In a framework that involves software to prototype, paper can be used to sketch, doodle ideas and cut out the best ones.
Of course, this requires a great amount of imagination to understand a website, or great drawing skills.
Some people also use other simple wireframing tools.
Low fidelity prototype
These are prototypes that work as websites. Some fields change according to users reactions, data can be manipulated, events occur according to designated behaviours.
These can be used to identify features of the programs, define requirements and make everyone understand what the project is meant to be. There is yet no need to use full detailed graphics, real text or perfected animations.
It requires the use of software or HTML coding hability.
High fidelity prototype
It’s almost the final website, quickly coded. It requires software to be build, such as Justinmind Prototyper. A fully functional high fidelity prototype of a website can have pop-ups, data entries, sums, conditional behaviour such as a link that only works when you type the right password, embedded objects such as detailed images, graphics, videos or Flash animations.
The main difference between a prototype and the final coded project is that today, human coded software is still better organized and smaller. However, to test with final users, present to clients or other co-workers, it is perfect, and has a smaller development time.
Can I use just one software from wireframe to prototype?
Justinmind Prototyper is designer to be used from the first wireframe drafts, mind maps and navigation flowcharts to the final presentation of the high fidelity prototype. It also allows the collaboration between all the professionals involved in the development, and manages requirements, comments and version control to allow it to be produced as quickly and organized as it can be.
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Tags: Detailed Graphics, Fifteen Years, Flash Animations, Level Of Detail, Low Fidelity, Pop Ups, Prototypes, Usability Tests