Prototype
An interactive, clickable simulation of a UI used to test flows and gather user feedback before writing code.
What it is
A prototype is a mockup that you can actually click through. Buttons respond, screens transition, and flows can be tested — but no real code is running behind it. Prototypes are used for usability testing, stakeholder demos, and catching UX problems before development begins. Figma, Framer, and InVision are common prototyping tools.
When you would use it
When you need to test how a design actually feels to use, or demonstrate a flow without building it.
Common operations
- Conducting user testing sessions.
- Validating a flow before a developer builds it.
- Presenting an interactive demo to stakeholders.
Related terms
Where this is taught
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