Pens and Paper? But we're building apps here!

Prototyping is a way to take an idea and test it, so when the shots are ready to be called it's easier to make an informed decision about how things should work.

Prototypes are basically applications that are built fast and simple to test out any areas that you are not sure will work, or what issues you might run into.

To create a prototype you need an environment that invites change and ideas to flow and Xamling are the masters of diving into the unknown to help see these ideas come to life.

How it all works...

It all starts with an idea, we take that idea and build on it, throwing around anything that springs to mind no matter how crazy and ridiculous it might sound. This is brainstorming and is seriously good fun.

Next we sketch! Pens and paper at the ready, we start to draw out these ideas into the form of an application, where things might sit and how they might interact.

Now we have a pretty good idea of how the app works, but it's pretty hard to communicate how it all comes together,  and even harder to test the concepts. Sketchflow, which is part of the Microsoft Expression Suite, is an awesome tool that we take full advantage of around here to create interactive prototypes that are simple to change and can grow as rapidly as the ideas flow.

At this point you can really start to see your ideas come to life.  The interactive prototype, although not all functionally working, is enough to start testing the usability of the application and start showing off the ideas around the place.

We can also throw in some shiny graphics to give a bit of wow factor when people are seeing it for the first time.

The benefits...

Building a prototype is a great way to prove to everyone else that your great idea is actually great! It's much easier to show someone an application than have them try to imagine one.  And the best part... at the end of the prototyping process, you have already nutted out the bugs and have a great interface ready to go.  You're most of the way there!

More Information...

Let's face it- a little more information never went astray.
Contact us.