A Look into Website Building – Prototyping and Website Mockup

The ultimate blueprint

Website mockup is the final blueprint of an application. It is the last design stage where the website is not functional yet. It is not polished as the website or the webpage that runs. They can include some placeholder data. Many mockup design tools are available in the software field to help with the design. Some of them are Adobe XD, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, InVison Studio, and Adobe Photoshop.

How to create a mockup?

Creating a mockup is better if there is a clear vision. This can be attained by following the steps listed below:

1. A wireframe creation is not a necessary step in creating mock-ups. A person can always feel free to skip this step. It is better if this is included. Wireframes are created focusing on the general layouts and not on the designs. They need not be digitally made. They can be made with sketches or printouts. They can also be built on mobile platforms.
2. Once the wireframe is done, it is converted into a digital mockup tool that lets the user move the components into place. Visuals are added to the frame. These include page elements, color scheme, typography, content, layout, navigation, and consistency.
3. Once mock-ups are done, user testing ensures that the design is eye-catching and user-friendly. Feedback should be taken from the other team members, and their suggestions should be considered. Based on the suggestions redesigning is to be done.
4. Once the client and the team members find the work satisfactory, the website mockup is converted into a prototype.

Prototype as a continuation of website mockup

Prototypes are not the running programs. They are the early models for the release of a product built. They help us to do the usability tests. We can also find new areas for improvement and redesign the site accordingly. Prototyping is of various types, as given below:

• Iterative involves repeated testing for the product design until the team arrives on equal terms.
• Parallel prototyping is more of a concept-based method. Several designs are initially drafted and compared to select the best type of prototype.
• Rapid prototyping involves some aspects of iterative. It is made accessible for 3D printing technologies and product designers. This accessibility makes them fast to process and hence the name rapid.

Pros and cons of such models

Some advantages are missing, confusing, or difficult functionalities that can be easily identified. They aim to improve the quality of specifications and requirements provided to the customers. However, the efforts put in for building prototype models can go wasted if they are not appropriately monitored. Though these methods are adopted to decrease software and project failure, they have underlying risks. A person, after witnessing, would have made up their expectations mentally regarding the launch. The client should be made aware of the purpose as well as the limits of the prototyping model.

Also Read: A Look into Website Building – Prototyping and Website Mockup