What are the different types of UI prototypes and when should you use them?

1 Low-fidelity prototypes

Low-fidelity prototypes are the simplest and quickest way to create a UI prototype, as they use basic shapes, colors, and text to represent the layout, functionality, and content of your design. They are often made with paper, sketches, or wireframes, and they are useful for generating and iterating on ideas, testing concepts, and getting early feedback. Low-fidelity prototypes are ideal for the early stages of the design process, when you want to focus on the structure, flow, and usability of your design, rather than the details, aesthetics, and interactions.

2 Medium-fidelity prototypes

Medium-fidelity prototypes are more refined and realistic than low-fidelity prototypes, as they use more accurate elements, colors, and fonts to represent the UI design. They are often made with digital tools, such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, and they are useful for testing and validating the visual design, content, and navigation of your design. Medium-fidelity prototypes are ideal for the middle stages of the design process, when you want to fine-tune your design, align with your brand guidelines, and present your design to stakeholders and users.

3 High-fidelity prototypes

High-fidelity prototypes are the most detailed and interactive type of UI prototype, as they use realistic elements, colors, fonts, images, and animations to represent the UI design. They are often made with advanced tools, such as InVision, Framer, or ProtoPie, and they are useful for testing and simulating the functionality, behavior, and feedback of your design. High-fidelity prototypes are ideal for the final stages of the design process, when you want to evaluate the performance, usability, and accessibility of your design, and showcase your design to developers and clients.

4 Interactive prototypes

Interactive prototypes are a special type of UI prototype that allows users to interact with the UI design, such as clicking buttons, entering text, scrolling pages, or swiping screens. They are often made with low-fidelity, medium-fidelity, or high-fidelity prototypes, depending on the level of interactivity and complexity required. They are useful for testing and demonstrating the user flow, logic, and transitions of your design, and collecting user feedback and data. Interactive prototypes are ideal for any stage of the design process, when you want to validate your assumptions, identify problems, and improve your design.

6 Animated prototypes

Animated prototypes are another subset of interactive prototypes that use motion, transitions, and effects to enhance the UI design. They are often made with medium-fidelity or high-fidelity prototypes, and they are useful for testing and illustrating the behavior, feedback, and emotion of your design. Animated prototypes are ideal for the middle or final stages of the design process, when you want to add personality, delight, and engagement to your design, and impress your audience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?