How to save your budget through the use of prototyping

Overview

Did you know that 59% of apps don't generate enough revenue to break even on development costs? According to the Annual Developer Survey, many app owners lose their investment because their products don't yield expected results. However, there's a proven way to minimize these risks: prototyping.

What is Prototyping in Design?

Prototyping is the process of creating a schematic model of your future product, whether on paper or using specialized tools. This crucial step allows designers and stakeholders to:

• Identify visual bugs and functionality issues early
• Reconsider product concepts before development
• Test and validate ideas with real users
• Make informed decisions about feature sets

Think of prototyping like planning an apartment layout - the more efficiently you plan the space initially, the fewer surprises you'll encounter during construction.

Types of Prototyping

Low-Fidelity Prototypes

Low-fidelity prototypes are quick to create and focus on basic concepts rather than visual polish. They include:

Paper Sketches

• Quick and flexible ideation tool
• Perfect for early concept exploration
• Easy to modify and iterate
• Helps communicate ideas to UI/UX designers

Wireframes

• Black and white layouts showing key elements
• Demonstrates interface hierarchy
• Shows placement of buttons, icons, and content
• Focuses on functionality over aesthetics

High-Fidelity Prototypes

High-fidelity prototypes are created with specialized UX/UI tools and provide a much more realistic experience:

• Interactive and clickable
• Closely resembles the final product
• Can be tested with real users
• Perfect for stakeholder presentations

Key Benefits of Prototyping

1. Expediency Evaluation

Identify weak points and technical issues before development begins, saving time and resources.

2. Quality Improvement

• Test usability early
• Verify navigation flows
• Ensure proper visual hierarchy
• Validate user interactions

3. Idea Clarification

Gather feedback from potential users to refine your product concept and inform your marketing strategy.

4. Cost Reduction

• Fix issues before development
• Reduce revision cycles
• Minimize feature rework
• Prevent scope creep

5. Risk Mitigation

Test your product concept with real users before investing in full development.

6. Investor Pitching

Create compelling demonstrations for stakeholders and investors, showing your product's potential in a tangible way.

7. User Feedback

Collect detailed insights about your product's usability and functionality before committing to development.

Our Prototyping Process at BrainDead Agency

Phase 1: Wireframing

• Create black and white sketches
• Focus on layout and functionality
• Gather initial client feedback
• Typical duration: 1 week

Phase 2: Static Prototyping

• Use Sketch for detailed designs
• Implement visual design elements
• Create component library
• Define interaction patterns

Phase 3: Interactive Prototyping

• Convert to InVision prototype
• Add clickable elements
• Create realistic user flows
• Enable collaborative feedback

Phase 4: Testing & Iteration

• Conduct user testing
• Gather stakeholder feedback
• Make necessary refinements
• Prepare for development

Conclusion

Prototyping is not just an optional step in product development - it's a crucial investment that can save your budget and increase your chances of success. By identifying issues early, validating concepts with users, and refining your product before development, you can significantly reduce costs and improve your final product's quality.

Ready to start your prototyping journey? Contact our team to discuss how we can help bring your product vision to life efficiently and effectively.