Software Prototyping Services
Prototyping is a fundamental service offered at Bitsapphire and an important part of our development process. During this phase, we will primarily work on the user experience, not the low-level system functionality. Our goal is to focus on the horizontal dimension of the prototyping process, in order to provide a broader view of the project/idea/system as a whole.
Differences Between the Software Prototype (Developed) and the Design Prototype
When it comes to software prototypes, Bitsapphire has decided to use the throwaway model, a strategy sometimes referred to as rapid prototyping. This model ensures that no hard emotional attachments are created with the deliverable, keeping stakeholder expectations manageable.
The core difference between our approach and traditional approaches to software prototyping is that we do not code. This way, there is no developer or development cost.
Instead, the whole project is in the hands of the UX team. The UX team will break down the idea, adjust it according to user needs, build its information architecture, design the flow, and convert it into a tangible prototype. This prototype will conduct user testing and validate the experience.
Benefits of Rapid Prototyping
- Rapid Prototyping is the fastest possible way to reach our desired result. The process usually takes 1-2 weeks, if that, depending on the level of detail chosen.
- Engagement level is high, meaning that stakeholders can participate and give feedback. Later on, the UX team will analyze the feedback and decide if it should be implemented into the experience.
- A consensus will be reached quickly, making it easier to eliminate all grey areas.
- Changes will also be applied much faster, as a short feedback cycle will be used, and the sprints are more flexible than the Agile approach.
Our Prototype Offers
We offer low-fidelity prototyping and high-fidelity prototyping, depending on what stage the product is in, and the level of detail the client wants.
Low-Fidelity Prototype
This prototype is generally used during the early stages of a project, especially when no prior user testing has been performed for the system. It is very useful to conduct user testing sessions and validate the initial project experience.
Prerequisites Include:
- User interviews completed. Personas created.
- User stories are written. (preferable in BDD style)
- User flow defined and designed.
- Initial interface sketches.
Low-fidelity prototypes are created using black’n’white screens with clickable hotspots. This makes the prototype navigable, enabling the user to grasp the idea quickly and develop a real feel for the system. Even though the interface looks colorless, it has a defined information architecture and an information applied design. As a deliverable, the client will have the figma (our tool of choice) file containing sketches and the link to the prototype.
If the client has no required assets available (or fulfilled), we can provide assets at a separate cost.
High-Fidelity Prototype
High-fidelity prototypes, on the other hand, are generally used after the experience has been tested and validated by the client. This helps us reach a broader audience and determine if the client is willing to push his project forward. High fidelity prototypes can be highly effective for raising funds and developing superior cost and timing estimates. For larger and more complicated projects, high fidelity prototypes can also be used to perform user testing, since it will help users develop a clearer idea of what to expect. This way, we will eliminate as many unknowns as possible.
Prerequisites Include:
- All prerequisites for low-fidelity prototypes.
- Defined branding colors and interface colors.
- Defined UI framework.
- Any clickable wireframe.
The prototype will be built through JustInMind software, a professional prototyping tool. The deliverables include exported HTML files of the prototype (which the client can host in his own environment), the JustInMind prototype file, and the app-generated shared link of the prototype.
If the client has no required assets available (or fulfilled), we can provide assets at a separate cost.
Prototype List
Below you will find a list of prototypes we’ve built for our clients, grouped based on the level of detail:
- High-Fidelity Prototypes
- Low-Fidelity Prototypes