Two interface prototype design tools

I have been engaged in interface design and development for many years and have been engaged in a varietyInterface prototype design toolsHere, I would like to share with you some of my experiences. In the past, most of the impressions used Visio or some UML tools to describe the interface prototype design. The effect and interaction were poor, however, the two well-known prototype design software I have used in China is very easy to use. I hope all of you can try it.

GUI Design Studio

* Latest: 4.5
* Free Download

Interface Model DesignGUI Design Studio, a very practical tool, allows the interface to implement basic interaction for demonstration and communication. Recommendation requirements, software interface design and development, and other interface prototype related personnel.

GUI Design Studio provides a majority of C/S and B/S components, which can be used in combination. In the general software interface model Design stage, it can basically meet the needs.

Axure RP

* Latest: 6.5
* Free Download

Undoubtedly the most popularQuick prototyping softwareIt is a set of auxiliary tools specially designed for website or application planning, which can be used by application website planners or website interface designers, quickly and easily create Web AP and Website, flowcharts, prototypes, and specifications.

Axure draws on the office interface to help users get started quickly. It also provides a wide range of component style modifications, allowing users to create interfaces with low fidelity, high fidelity, and even close to the actual effect. However, Axure's rich script modes allow you to quickly interact with interface elements, such as links, state switching, and dynamic changes by clicking and selecting, this allows Axure to generate prototypes that are very close to real products. On the other hand, Axure can import component libraries created by others, so that Axure can meet the design requirements of most types of products.

Although Axure RP is now available in Chinese, Chinese support is still unfriendly. When inputting a small number of components, it is often necessary to switch the input method repeatedly like luck, undermining the designer's user experience.

In addition, some prototype tools used by the interface interaction designer include:VISIO, Mockups, Dreamweaver, penpencil sketchI will not go into details here. If you are interested, try it.

Summary

These two prototype design tools are both very useful and have their own merits. Axure RP is mostly based on the page prototype design. Although it is very practical for websites, it is a little tedious to design the process of the software interface. GUI Design Studio has a different path. It can directly establish an association between elements to automate the creation of action flows, greatly improving the efficiency of software interface prototype building.

In the end, I would like to explain whether you advocate hand-painting or using prototype software, the most important part of interface design is the idea. The tool is only used to help implement the idea. You don't have to pursue technology or visual performance too much. You just need to focus on the product logic, page interaction, layout structure, and the rest of the work!