Why prototypes are the foundation of good design

A prototype is a simplified version of a product that makes it possible to test ideas before building the real thing. Instead of investing months developing something that might not work, designers can quickly create something concrete to evaluate, discuss, and improve.

Prototypes bridge the gap between strategy and reality. They transform abstract concepts into something users can actually interact with – and that’s when the real insights start emerging.

In this guide, we cover different types of prototypes, when each works best, how to create them effectively, and how they connect to user testing.

---

What is a prototype?

A prototype is a representation of a product or feature that simulates how the final version will look or function. Prototypes can range from simple sketches on paper to fully interactive digital models.

What matters isn’t how polished the prototype is – but whether it answers the right questions at the right stage of the project.

Prototypes are used to:

• Visualise and communicate design ideas
• Test usability and flows before development
• Gather early feedback from users and stakeholders
• Identify problems while they’re still cheap to fix
• Create shared understanding within the team

---

Different types of prototypes

Low-fidelity prototypes

Simple, fast, and cheap. Perfect for early stages when many ideas need evaluation.

Examples: sketches on paper or whiteboard, simple wireframes in Figma or Sketch, clickable greyscale layouts without visual design.

Advantages: quick to create (minutes to hours), easy to change without emotional investment, keeps discussion focused on structure rather than aesthetics, users feel more comfortable giving honest criticism.

Best suited when: the concept needs validation, multiple directions are being evaluated in parallel, the team needs quick alignment.

High-fidelity prototypes

More detailed and realistic. Simulates the final product more convincingly.

Examples: interactive prototypes with real design, animated transitions and micro-interactions, prototypes with actual content instead of placeholder text.

Advantages: provides realistic user experience during testing, easier to present to decision-makers, reveals problems that only appear in detail, can validate visual design.

Best suited when: the core concept is already validated, detailed interactions need testing, the product is approaching development phase, stakeholders need to see “the real vision.”

Functional prototypes

Sometimes simulation isn’t enough – actual working code is needed.

Examples: HTML/CSS prototypes, simple React or Vue components, no-code solutions like Webflow or Framer.

Advantages: tests real performance and responsiveness, can be reused in development, reveals technical limitations early.

Best suited when: the interaction is complex or time-critical, developers need to be involved early, animations and micro-interactions are central to the experience.

---

Prototypes and user testing – an inseparable pair

Prototypes exist to be tested. Without feedback, they’re just guesses in digital form.

The key is matching prototype fidelity to testing goals. In the concept validation phase, paper wireframes work perfectly for understanding whether users grasp the basic idea. For structure testing, clickable low-fidelity prototypes reveal whether navigation and flows make sense. Design validation requires high-fidelity work to determine if the product feels intuitive and appealing. Final evaluation calls for functional prototypes that prove everything works in reality.

The rule of thumb: the earlier in the process, the simpler the prototype. The closer to launch, the more realistic it should be.

---

How to create effective prototypes

1. Start with the question, not the tool

Before opening Figma – define what you want to learn. Is it whether the concept works? Whether the navigation is logical? Whether users understand a specific feature?

The question determines what fidelity you need.

2. Start simpler than you think

Most designers over-produce prototypes. A sketch on paper can reveal the same fundamental problems as a polished Figma prototype – in a fraction of the time.

Save the details for when the foundation is solid.

3. Use real content early

“Lorem ipsum” hides problems. When actual text, images, and data are used, issues like text that doesn’t fit, images that don’t work, or data that’s confusing become visible immediately.

4. Prototype the critical path first

Don’t build everything. Focus on the flows and functions that are most important for the product’s success. If users can’t complete the core task, everything else is irrelevant.

5. Make it easy to iterate

Choose tools and methods that make changes simple. The best prototype is one you’re willing to throw away and rebuild – because you’ve learned something new.

---

Common pitfalls in prototyping

Premature polish. Too much time spent on visual details before the structure is validated. Results in emotional attachment to solutions that might need to change.

Prototype as specification. Using the prototype as a complete specification for developers. Prototypes show intent – they rarely capture every edge case and state.

Testing only the happy path. Only prototyping the ideal user journey. Real users take wrong turns, make mistakes, and encounter errors.

Skipping the ugly phase. Jumping directly to high-fidelity to impress stakeholders. Misses the opportunity for cheap, early learning.

---

Prototyping tools – a brief overview

The market is full of tools, but the right choice depends on your needs.

For quick sketches and low-fi: Pen and paper, Whimsical, Balsamiq.

For interactive prototypes: Figma, Sketch + Principle, Adobe XD.

For high-fidelity and animation: Protopie, Framer, Origami Studio.

For functional prototypes: Webflow, Framer, code (HTML/CSS/JS).

The best tool is the one your team knows well and that matches the fidelity you need.

---

FAQ about prototyping

How detailed should a prototype be? Detailed enough to answer your current question – no more. Over-building wastes time and makes changes harder.

Can you user test a paper prototype? Absolutely. Paper prototypes are excellent for testing concepts and flows early. Users understand they’re seeing a work in progress and often give more honest feedback.

When should developers get involved? Earlier than most teams think. Developers can identify technical limitations and opportunities that affect design decisions. Involving them during prototyping saves time later.

How many iterations are normal? There’s no fixed number. The goal is to iterate until you have confidence in the solution. Some projects need two rounds, others need ten.

Should the prototype match the final product exactly? No. The prototype is a tool for learning and communication – not a pixel-perfect specification. Some divergence is normal and expected.

---

Conclusion

Prototypes transform abstract ideas into something tangible and testable. They’re the fastest way to learn what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change – before expensive development begins.

The key is matching fidelity to purpose. Start simple, test early, iterate often. The goal isn’t a perfect prototype – it’s a product that works for real users.

Teams that prototype effectively ship better products, faster. They make mistakes earlier when they’re cheap to fix, and arrive at development with confidence rather than assumptions.