top of page

UX Prototyping techniques: A powerful tool for great design

  • Writer: Rosie Berrecloth
    Rosie Berrecloth
  • 5 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Illustration of man looking at prototype

Our Senior Designer, Lee, wanted to level up his User Experience (UX) design skills. Here’s a peek into his journey and the top things he’s learned along the way!



Prototyping is one of the most valuable steps in UX design. By using UX prototyping techniques, designers can quickly test, refine, and perfect ideas before development.


Put simply, prototyping helps turn abstract thinking into real experiences – helping teams spot issues early, improve usability, and collaborate more effectively. In this post, we’ll explore why prototyping matters, the different types of prototypes, and how to make the most of them in your design process.


What is a prototype?


A prototype is an early version of a product – a working model that brings ideas to life. It’s a way to explore, experiment, and get feedback before anything is final.

In UX design, prototypes act as a bridge between concept and reality. They let teams see how people actually use a product and make improvements based on real feedback, not just assumptions.



Why prototyping matters


Prototyping offers huge benefits for designers, developers, and stakeholders alike. It helps make smarter decisions, reduces risk, and leads to products that users genuinely enjoy. Here’s how:


  • Better design quality: Seeing ideas in action helps reveal what works – and what doesn’t.

  • Spot issues early: Testing early means finding usability problems before they become expensive to fix.

  • Lower risk: You can validate concepts before investing in full development.

  • Save time and money: Fixing problems at the prototype stage avoids big reworks later.

  • Evidence-based decisions: Real user feedback replaces guesswork.

  • Improved collaboration: Visualising ideas brings everyone – designers, developers, and stakeholders – onto the same page.


Prototyping builds alignment and confidence


Prototypes are also brilliant communication tools. They show how a product will look and behave, helping everyone understand and contribute to the vision.

When stakeholders can see and use a prototype, discussions become clearer, feedback is more focused, and decisions are easier to make. High-fidelity prototypes, in particular, can showcase the full potential of a design – helping secure buy-in and confidence in the direction you’re heading.



Understanding UX prototyping techniques: Low, medium, and high fidelity


Choosing the right UX prototyping technique depends on what you need to learn at each stage – from sketching rough layouts to building interactive simulations.


Not all prototypes are the same. Different stages of the design process call for different levels of detail – or fidelity. Here’s a quick overview:


Low-fidelity prototypes: Fast and simple


Low-fidelity (low-fi) prototypes are quick sketches or basic wireframes. They’re rough, but they help you test early ideas fast. Use low-fi prototypes to:


  • Explore big-picture ideas and user journeys

  • Check whether users understand the structure

  • Test navigation before adding visual detail


They’re quick, cheap, and flexible – but not great for testing interactions or visuals in depth.



Medium-fidelity prototypes: Testing the details


Medium-fidelity (mid-fi) prototypes add more structure and interactivity. They usually include layouts, buttons, and text, so you can test how people actually move through an experience. Use mid-fi prototypes to:


  • Refine user flow and layout

  • Check if content and messaging make sense

  • Get early feedback from users or stakeholders


Mid-fi prototypes strike a nice balance between speed and insight – detailed enough to be useful, but still easy to update.


High-fidelity prototypes: The near-final experience


High-fidelity (hi-fi) prototypes look and feel almost like the finished product. They’re often built with real design tools or code, allowing for realistic interactions and animations. Use hi-fi prototypes to:


  • Test polished designs and functionality

  • Show the product to stakeholders or investors

  • Give developers a clear blueprint to build from


Big brands like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram rely on high-fidelity prototypes to test new features before launch. They help teams understand how real users will react and fine-tune every detail for a smooth experience.


Bringing it all together


Prototyping bridges the gap between vision and reality. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a detailed simulation, each stage helps you learn, adapt, and create better experiences for users. By combining different UX prototyping techniques, teams can confidently move from concept to final design with clarity and precision.



At Threerooms, we believe the best designs are clear, simple, and human. If you want to create digital experiences that people love using, get in touch – we’d love to help bring your vision to life.


❓Need some help? Get in touch today.


Follow us on LinkedIn for more brand strategy insights.


A specialist brand agency: an extension of your team


Is your brand truly hitting the mark? If not, we’re here to help.


For over 20 years, our multi-award-winning branding agency, Threerooms, has been optimising brands and helping businesses and marketers stand out and thrive. Whether you're crafting a new brand or refining an established one, our team is dedicated to delivering transformative brand solutions tailored to help you achieve your goals.


Recent posts

Don't miss out!

Join 3000+ subscribers and get monthly brand and marketing inspiration sent straight to your inbox.

bottom of page