Interactive Prototypes That Prevent Costly Development Mistakes

A prototype costs a fraction of development but reveals the same usability problems. IBM research shows post-development fixes cost 10x more than fixes during design. We build interactive prototypes that simulate real product experiences so you can test, iterate, and validate before committing to code.

10x

higher cost to fix problems after development versus during design -- prototypes catch issues at the cheapest point in the process

IBM Systems Sciences Institute/Toptal, 2020

Prototyping

Interactive prototypes ranging from clickable wireframes to high-fidelity simulations that let you test user flows, validate interactions, and gather usability feedback before development begins.

What's Included

Everything you get with our Prototyping

Interactive Prototype

Clickable, interactive prototype that simulates real product navigation, user flows, and key interactions for testing and stakeholder review

User Flow Simulation

Complete task flow simulations that let test participants attempt real tasks and reveal where the experience breaks down or confuses users

Prototype Testing Report

Findings from prototype testing with specific usability issues, user quotes, and design recommendations prioritized by severity and frequency

Our Prototyping Process

1

Scope & Fidelity Planning

We determine which user flows need prototyping and what fidelity level serves each purpose. Navigation validation needs clickable wireframes. Interaction design needs medium-fidelity. Usability testing and stakeholder demos need high-fidelity.

2

Prototype Construction

We build the interactive prototype in Figma with realistic navigation, transitions, and interaction patterns. Key user flows are fully interactive, allowing test participants to attempt real tasks without hitting dead ends.

3

Testing & Iteration

We test the prototype with representative users, observing task completion, confusion points, and navigation patterns. Findings drive rapid design iterations within the prototype, which is far faster and cheaper than iterating in code.

4

Validated Design Handoff

The tested, validated prototype becomes the definitive reference for development. Your team builds from a design that has been proven to work with real users, not from untested assumptions that may require rework.

Key Benefits

Risk Reduction Before Development

Every usability problem caught in a prototype is a problem that does not require development rework. Prototypes let you test assumptions, validate flows, and verify that the design actually works for users before committing development resources. This consistently saves multiples of the prototyping investment.

Stakeholder Alignment Through Experience

Static mockups leave stakeholders imagining how the product will feel. Interactive prototypes let them experience it. This tangible experience dramatically improves feedback quality and accelerates approval because stakeholders can evaluate the actual experience rather than a representation of it.

User Testing at Minimum Cost

Prototypes enable realistic usability testing without building anything. Users can attempt real tasks, reveal confusion points, and provide feedback on an experience that feels real but costs a fraction of production. This is the most cost-effective way to validate design decisions.

Research & Evidence

Backed by industry research and proven results

UX Fix Cost Study

Fixing a UX problem after development costs 10x more than fixing it during design

Toptal/IBM Systems Sciences Institute (2020)

First Impression Study

Users form aesthetic judgments about web pages in 0.05 seconds

Behaviour & Information Technology (2006)

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools do you use for prototyping?

We primarily use Figma for interactive prototyping because it supports collaboration, handles complex interactions, and produces prototypes that feel realistic on both desktop and mobile. For highly interactive or animation-heavy prototypes, we supplement with tools like Principle or ProtoPie.

How realistic do prototypes need to be?

It depends on the purpose. For testing navigation and flow logic, low-fidelity clickable wireframes are sufficient. For usability testing with external users, medium to high fidelity produces more reliable results because users react to the experience rather than the prototype quality. For stakeholder presentations, high fidelity builds confidence.

Can prototypes be used by our development team?

Yes. Figma prototypes include inspect mode with CSS values, spacing measurements, and asset exports that developers can reference during implementation. The prototype serves as both a testable experience and a specification document for development.

How many rounds of testing should we plan for?

One round of testing with 5-8 users reveals the majority of usability issues. We recommend a minimum of two rounds: the first to identify issues, then design iteration, then a second round to verify the fixes work. For complex products, three rounds with progressive fidelity increases provide the most thorough validation.

Test Your Design Before You Build It

Free consultation. No commitment. Get a custom ui/ux design strategy in 24 hours.