Keep in mind that a mobile app prototype is essentially a visual representation that looks like the real thing, but doesn\u2019t have any code. Its purpose is to demonstrate an app\u2019s function and design. While a mobile app prototype can be as simple as a sketch on paper or as high fidelity as a digital mockup, we\u2019re going to take a look at the entire process and everything involved.<\/p>\n
Mobile App Prototyping \u2013 Getting Started<\/strong><\/h2>\nBefore getting on to the exciting design and layout phase of your mobile app, you\u2019ll want to first identify and lay out all of the key requirements. While it\u2019s easy to have an idea of what you want in your head, you should meticulously go through every function and feature of your application.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a lot to think about and organize, but a simple list works great. You\u2019ll then want to prioritize the items by \u201cmost important\u201d and \u201cnice to have\u201d.
Here is an example of what this\u00a0list<\/a>\u00a0might look light for an app like Facebook:<\/p>\nFriends<\/b><\/p>\n\n- The ability to pull contact list from smartphone<\/li>\n
- Add friends through a \u201cfriend request\u201d<\/li>\n
- Deny a \u201cfriend request\u201d<\/li>\n
- Ability to unfriend or block friend<\/li>\n
- Ability to send a friend a message, photo, or video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Wall<\/b><\/p>\n\n- Wall is a sort of message board or forum where content is displayed<\/li>\n
- Wall can be viewed by friends or friends and the public<\/li>\n
- Wall can be set to private<\/li>\n
- Certain friends only can view wall<\/li>\n
- Ability to post text message, photo, or video to the wall<\/li>\n
- Ability to tag friends on a message, photo, or video<\/li>\n
- Allow friends to post on user\u2019s wall<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As you can imagine, for an app like Facebook this list can be exhaustive. This is just a quick glimpse at some basic \u201cfriend\u201d and \u201cwall\u201d functionality and doesn\u2019t even begin to get into things like notifications, liking, groups, events, marketplace, and other Facebook features.<\/p>\n
While this can be a tedious step, it can also be a great time to brainstorm and really flesh out your ideas. It\u2019s easy to say \u201cI want a social networking app\u201d, but you\u2019ll quickly see how much functionality is involved once you start physically writing or typing everything out.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also a good idea to take time on this step and prioritize everything the app can do before moving on to the design and prototyping process. Remember,\u00a0apps like Facebook and Instagram where much smaller\u00a0<\/a>than what they are today, offering more limited features and functionality.<\/p>\nRather than biting off more than you can chew, it\u2019s smart to launch an app with the key essential features and add more to it later, once you have a better idea of what users like and don\u2019t like.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/architsingh.com\/webioticnew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image2-1-1.png\")
<\/p>\n
Mobile App\u00a0Prototyping Vs Wireframes<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re getting ready for the design and mockup phase of your mobile app, you\u2019ve probably run into two big terms: wireframes and prototyping. So what\u2019s the difference? While terms like mockup, wireframe, and prototype often get used interchangeably, they\u2019re actually different steps in the design process.<\/p>\n
Wireframe<\/h3>\n
A wireframe is a very basic presentation of your app that demonstrates the structural layout, some design elements, and content. You can think of a wireframe as a blueprint\u2014it\u2019s the first low-fidelity representation of the building, or app in our case.<\/p>\n
A wireframe can be as simple as a sketc<\/p>\n
h in a notepad, or you can take advantage of the wealth of online wireframing tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, etc. The great thing<\/p>\n
about wireframes is that they\u2019re simple, low-cost, and quick to complete.<\/p>\n
Here is an example of what this\u00a0list<\/a>\u00a0might look light for an app like Facebook:<\/p>\n
Friends<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wall<\/b><\/p>\n As you can imagine, for an app like Facebook this list can be exhaustive. This is just a quick glimpse at some basic \u201cfriend\u201d and \u201cwall\u201d functionality and doesn\u2019t even begin to get into things like notifications, liking, groups, events, marketplace, and other Facebook features.<\/p>\n While this can be a tedious step, it can also be a great time to brainstorm and really flesh out your ideas. It\u2019s easy to say \u201cI want a social networking app\u201d, but you\u2019ll quickly see how much functionality is involved once you start physically writing or typing everything out.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a good idea to take time on this step and prioritize everything the app can do before moving on to the design and prototyping process. Remember,\u00a0apps like Facebook and Instagram where much smaller\u00a0<\/a>than what they are today, offering more limited features and functionality.<\/p>\n Rather than biting off more than you can chew, it\u2019s smart to launch an app with the key essential features and add more to it later, once you have a better idea of what users like and don\u2019t like.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re getting ready for the design and mockup phase of your mobile app, you\u2019ve probably run into two big terms: wireframes and prototyping. So what\u2019s the difference? While terms like mockup, wireframe, and prototype often get used interchangeably, they\u2019re actually different steps in the design process.<\/p>\n A wireframe is a very basic presentation of your app that demonstrates the structural layout, some design elements, and content. You can think of a wireframe as a blueprint\u2014it\u2019s the first low-fidelity representation of the building, or app in our case.<\/p>\n A wireframe can be as simple as a sketc<\/p>\n h in a notepad, or you can take advantage of the wealth of online wireframing tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, etc. The great thing<\/p>\n about wireframes is that they\u2019re simple, low-cost, and quick to complete.<\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/p>\nMobile App\u00a0Prototyping Vs Wireframes<\/h2>\n
Wireframe<\/h3>\n