Starting From Scratch: Prototyping
Microsoft Azure Suite
Starting totally from scratch, we began with static wireframes to establish basic layout and ideate around different content types and features.
Given the limited amount of content and site structure, we opted to roll our own wireframe solution, developing static deliverables Photoshop. For more complex projects, I typically rely on Axure or a client’s prototyping tool of choice.
Next Steps
We were able to move directly to hi-res prototypes from a couple rounds of very general wireframes since our content types were easily established and relatively simple. For more complex products, I recommend decoupling structure and design and doing a round of low-res prototyping with something like
Style Tiles developed in parallel.
For this stage we relied on
InVision, a great tool for bridging the gap between static comps and all the interaction inherent to web design.
Final Design
Working as efficiently as possible, and moving to real working deliverables early in the process enabled us to design, develop, and launch a net-new site in under two months. Being willing to adapt our process to produce deliverables with real value at every step was essential in quickly arriving at an MVP we were ready to go live with.
