Prototype as a way to quickly validate ideas

Proper communication is crucial in the initial stages of a web project. Has it ever happened to you that your idea of the assignment didn't match the customer's expectations?

Depending on the size of the project, a number of people are involved in the web development process, from the designer to the developer to the copywriters. They all need to have a solid point to fall back on. 

An interactive prototype is the most reliable way to handle client requirements. Its visual nature makes it easy for the team and the customer to understand your intentions. The presentation of the prototype is an important milestone because it is often the moment that determines the success of the entire implementation. The customer gets a clear idea if you have taken the right path, which strengthens his confidence.

There are many tools for communicating ideas in web design. Sometimes, to understand the brief, all you need to do is draw a quick sketch or create a concept in the form of a wireframe. Wireframes are a very commonly used tool in the initial stages of a project. They have the advantage of being relatively easy to incorporate changes and quick iterations. However, it can easily happen that the customer gets a different idea of the result than you have. 

Prototypes are a far better means of communication. Compared to a wireframe, a prototype is not as abstract and therefore more easily bridges the gap between the customer's requirements and the resulting website. At solidpixels, we view a prototype as an interactive design in a real browser environment that fully communicates the content and functionality of the site. It can illustrate information architecture, content structure and behavior on different types of devices. Thanks to the interactivity, customers can easily imagine how the website will actually work in the end. Traditional prototyping is time-consuming, so it is usually not used in projects with lower budgets, at least not in the initial stages. However, their creation is a distinct advantage for the customer.

Secure the client with concrete results, show them the prototype

Static designs are too abstract for most clients and the result is hard to imagine. Interactive prototypes, on the other hand, are very close to the final website. This gives the client an immediate idea of how the site addresses the needs of their business. When you present a prototype, you don't describe how the site will work, but you illustrate everything in a real-world environment. In such moments, the client is really impressed and you gain their trust.

At solidpixels, we call such prototypes live concepts. Even without knowledge of technical terms, the client can imagine what kind of output to expect. In a short period of time, you will achieve a very faithful result, thanks to which you present the client with the meaning of the individual parts of the website in the context of the needs of the target group.

• The platform incorporates the basic principles of responsiveness, so you can present the concept on different devices in a realistic environment.
• You can also quickly illustrate more complex features, such as mobile menus, form submissions, or writing articles for a blog.
• You won't be throwing away work on a concept like you would with prototyping apps. Solidpixels brings together tools for different stages of development.
• You can incorporate client requirements in a short time. Working with solidpixels is intuitive and you can easily edit the concept without coding.