There are quite a number of (flashy) prototyping applications becoming available. So, while trying out the new ones, I thought I'd share my experiences.
For the sake of completeness, I'll be going from paper to the most expensive trial version I can get my hands on!
The prototyping tool candidate list so far:
- Paper
- PowerPoint
- Inkscape
- Visio
- Axure
- JustInMind Prototyper 2.6
- Adobe Fireworks
Things I'll be looking out for:
- Quick, easy and intuitive: Is it quick to install? Do you need to be a whizz kid, or can anyone pick this up and go without feeling lost and out of their depth? How much of a learning curve is there?
- Communication: Is the result an effective communication tool? Does it need to be supplemented with other documentation? Can it express interaction? - Anything that eliminates the need for extensive text descriptions is good to get projects moving.
- Flexibility: Low-fi, hi-fi, compatibility between operating systems, browsers, export to HTML, PDF etc.
- Complete: Does the application have everything necessary to get going? Are there stencils or (free) downloads available? Are there online tutorials to help advanced users get the most of the application and quickly shoot up the learning curve?
- Robust and error-resistant: Does it crash? Delete pages too keenly? Can I recover earlier versions?
- Ergonomically gentle: Too much drag and drop with the mouse is a killer and can lead to or aggravate Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Are there keyboard shortcuts? Is there a balance between drag, drop, click, type? Can other peripherals be used?
- Value for money: Are the most expensive applications worth their licence fees? Is there a free alternative?
So, let's get started. Today: PowerPoint.
1. PowerPoint
- PowerPoint?! For prototyping?!
- Yes, I had to use it once for a project, a requirement of the client!
Reasons for using PowerPoint for prototyping
- You're new to prototyping and don't have a specialist application installed.
- If your client is very Microsoft Office oriented (it happens), and wants to be able to modify the documents, it may be one of the few compatible formats available for client - consultant collaboration.
Who should or would use PowerPoint for prototyping
An expert user of PowerPoint for presentations new to prototyping.
If you know how to set up templates, make graphically attractive presentations, use animation and links, you won't lose too much time and the end result can be decent.
It can be quicker than trying to figure out Visio say, especially if you download these web controls and widget stencils (without them, I would probably not bother).
Pros and cons of prototyping in PowerPoint
Pros:
- Being a visual format, it can be a good way to communicate users' needs.
- You can copy-paste away - images and text.
- Colours, animation, images and links can give it quite a bit of life and dynamism.
- Just about everyone has some way of viewing a Powerpoint document, even if in Google Docs, Open Office...
- It's fairly stable and can handle a lot of images (I've done 150+ page benchmarkings full of screen shots and not had any trouble with it crashing).
Cons:
- Unless you're all using the same version of PowerPoint, things will inevitably move out of place.
- It's not meant for prototyping, so there aren't a great deal of stencils available, although this number does seem to be growing.
- It's not likely to have the slick, professional look other prototyping or graphic design tools can offer, especially if you're using anything prior to Office 2007.
- If you have barely used Powerpoint, it's not going to be the best prototyping tool for you as it is not intuitive.
- It's not a tool user interaction designers can use if they want their peers to take them seriously! It's not a cool kids' tool!
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