In the realm of user experience (UX) design, high-fidelity prototypes play a pivotal role in transforming static mockups into interactive experiences. These prototypes provide a realistic representation of the product’s functionality and user flow, enabling designers to gather feedback and refine the design before investing significant resources in development.
Step 3: Adding Interaction Details
Having laid out the mockups and connected the screens, it’s time to breathe life into the prototype by adding interaction details. This involves defining the triggers, actions, and destinations that will guide users through the product.
Triggers: Initiating the Interaction
A trigger is the event that initiates an interaction within the prototype. It could be a mouse click, a touch gesture, or even the elapse of time on a particular screen. In Figma, triggers are defined using the first drop-down menu in the interaction details panel.
Actions: Defining the User’s Path
An action determines what happens when a user interacts with a hotspot. This could involve navigating to another screen, opening a link, or triggering an animation. Figma offers six actions to choose from, including the commonly used “Navigate To” action for transitioning between screens.
Destinations: The End Point
The destination is the final point of the interaction. It could be another screen within the prototype or an overlay that appears above the current screen. In the example of the “book appointment” button, the destination would be the first book appointment screen.
Step 4: Adjusting the Animation
Animation settings dictate how the prototype transitions from one screen to the next. This is where designers can add motion and visual polish to enhance the user experience. Figma provides eight animations to choose from, including instant, slide in, and slide out.
Selecting the Right Animation
The choice of animation depends on the desired user experience. For example, an instant animation might be suitable for quick transitions, while a slide in or slide out animation could provide a smoother and more natural feel.
Enhancing Wayfinding with Gestures and Motion
Gestures and motion can play a crucial role in guiding users through the product. By consistently applying similar animations for opening and closing screens, designers can create a cohesive user experience that makes navigation intuitive and effortless.
Step 5: Completing for All Screens
Once the interaction details and animations have been defined for one screen, the process is repeated for all remaining screens in the prototype. This ensures that the user experience is consistent and engaging throughout the entire product flow.
Step 6: Sharing Your Work
With the high-fidelity prototype complete, it’s time to share it with stakeholders and gather feedback. Figma allows designers to easily share their work with others, enabling collaborative review and refinement.
Conclusion
Creating a high-fidelity prototype in Figma involves a series of steps, from laying out mockups and connecting screens to adding interaction details and adjusting animations. By carefully considering each step, designers can transform static designs into interactive experiences that provide valuable insights into the product’s usability and user flow.
Check out these resources from Figma to explore features you can use to make your user interactions more engaging: