Prototyping Tools
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Pennsylvania State University *
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331
Subject
Mechanical_engineering
Date
Jun 7, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by spencergross15
Prototyping Tools:
Figma Adobe XD
Sketch
Figma is a prototyping tool used to create UI and UX designs in real time. Pros
Cons
Collaborative
Offline Functionality
Cross-Platform
Pricing
Live Prototyping
Training
Developer Integration
PC Specs
Plugins
Niche
Version History
Figma has an extensive list of positive reasons to use the software. For example, being a cloud-based software allows for multiple team members to work on the same prototype. This allows for work to be done faster and for it to be the vision of the entire team instead of one person. Figma also allows for cross-platform accessibility, which means that no matter the OS of the person using it, they are able to collaborate with other people on their teams. Figma also has live prototyping, which means that designers can create interactive prototypes with transitions and this can all be done while also working in Figma. Designers can see their prototype without having to port it to an internet browser if they were using CSS. Figma also has easy developer integration, where developers can inspect design elements on the prototype to make it easier to port to CSS. Figma also has a great system of plugins that can customize how the work looks. Finally, Figma also has version history saving of prototypes, meaning that Figma saves the progress of the document and users are able to access a version of the document before
it was changed. Figma also comes with its set of downsides. Since it is a cloud based application, its offline functionality is not great. You are unable to work at full capacity without a stable internet connection. Figma is also supposed to be an individually bought software, so prices can get high if buying for multiple people to collaborate. Figma is also easy to learn but hard to master, so employees may need time to learn how to fully utilize the different aspects of Figma.
Adobe XD is a prototyping tool used to create UI/UX design.
Pros
Cons
Adobe Ecosystem
Learning Curve
Repeat Grid
Third-Party Integrations
Voice Prototyping
Non-Adobe Users
Creative Cloud Library
Subscription Based
Auto-Animate
Export Limitations
Adobe XD has a ton of reasons for usage in UI/UX design. It has both cloud-based and local use, which helps when using the service offline and during collaboration projects. It also has great integration with the other applications that are a part of the Adobe Ecosystem, like photoshop and illustrator. Adobe XD also has a feature called the repeat grid, which makes repetitive tasks and consistent patterns very easy to implement. Adobe XD also has voice prototyping to allow designers to allow for voice activated features in their prototypes. It also has integration with other applications from the Creative Cloud Library to manage assets like character styles and other components across Adobe XD and other ecosystem applications. Finally, it has auto-animate, which allows for the creation of smooth transitions and adding different subtle animations to their prototypes. There are some cons to using Adobe XD, like large learning curve to getting to use Adobe XD to its fullest potential. Some users may need time to become proficient in using the full feature set. Adobe XD also has limited third-party integrations, as it is an Adobe application that relies on the other ecosystem applications to perform other integrations. Non-Adobe users that do not have the other applications in the ecosystem may find that the advanced Adobe XD difficult to use. With this also, some advanced features and tools in Adobe XD are paywalled behind a subscription plan. Adobe XD also has some limitations in its export file formats, not being able to export as HTML, but having to go through another app.
Sketch is a prototyping tool for UI/UX design/Artistic Design.
Pros
Cons
Plug-ins
Exclusivity of Desktop App
Artboard Based Design
Prototyping Features Limited
Offline Capabilities
Collaboration Features Symbol Library
Lack of Built In UI Kits
Pricing Structure
Learning Curve for Advanced Features
Sketch is used in UI/UX design along with artistic design. First, its plug-ins are essential to working with Sketch as they are extremely helpful for design and can extend the functionality greatly. Sketch also uses an artboard based design making it easy to locate and organize different screens or projects. The entire application of Sketch is an offline application, so designers don’t need to have an internet connection to do work. Sketch also has a large symbol library making component design extremely easy and changes to
a symbol update over all projects currently open, making design easier. Finally, the pricing structure of sketch is extremely user friendly, as it is a one-time payment, not a subscription based model. The cons of sketch are glaringly obvious. First, the Sketch desktop app does not work on Windows, so Windows users are not able to use the desktop application. The prototyping features of Sketch are also limited, and the native Sketch app is not great. Most designers use third-party tools in order to create advanced prototypes. The collaboration features of Sketch are also poor, as it is an offline application and only macOS users are able to use the desktop versions. The lack of UI kits implemented into Sketch limits the prototyping features. Finally, Sketch’s limited advanced UI/UX design features can be difficult to learn and master. Recommendation: I believe that Adobe XD is the best for UI/UX design. Stakeholders should invest in this application because I believe it is the most professional application. It allows for both offline and online collaboration and some export limitations, but the voice prototyping and repeat grid are both extremely useful when creating prototypes. It creates an easy way to add voice interactivity and allow for
patterns to be easily created. Overall, it combines the best aspects of prototyping with the least impactful problems.
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