In the realm of user experience (UX) design, prototypes serve as invaluable tools for visualizing and refining product concepts. High-fidelity prototypes, in particular, provide a detailed representation of the user interface, enabling designers to gather feedback and ensure a seamless user experience before investing significant resources in development. Figma, a popular design tool, offers comprehensive features for creating high-fidelity prototypes.
This blog post will guide you through the first two steps of creating a high-fidelity prototype in Figma: laying out mockups and connecting screens.
Laying Out Your Mockups
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Copy and Paste Mockups: Begin by copying and pasting your existing mockups into the high-fidelity prototype page. This ensures consistency between the prototype and your design elements.
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Order Screens Based on User Flow: Arrange the screens in the order that users would navigate through the app. This helps you visualize the user journey and identify potential usability issues.
Connecting Screens
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Switch to Prototype Mode: Ensure you are in prototype mode by clicking on the “Prototype” tab in the right side panel. This enables you to create interactive elements.
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Identify Hotspots: Select the item that will serve as the interactive hotspot, typically a button or icon. A blue circle with a plus sign (prototype node) will appear.
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Create Connections: Click and drag the plus sign from the hotspot to the destination screen. This creates an interactive link between the two elements.
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Set Starting Frame: The first connection you make will be the starting frame of your prototype. Ensure this aligns with the user’s initial action in the app.
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Continue Connecting Screens: Repeat steps 2-4 to connect all relevant screens, creating a seamless user flow within your prototype.
By following these steps, you can effectively lay out your mockups and connect screens, laying the foundation for a comprehensive high-fidelity prototype in Figma. Stay tuned for subsequent blog posts that will cover additional aspects of high-fidelity prototyping in Figma.