Your interactive prototype in just a few weeks

When developing an application, every entrepreneur faces the question: Is it worth it? Will my digital product be a success?

The more concrete the answer to this question, the easier it is to decide on the initial costs for developing or further developing a product. A prototype is the best way to validate the potential success of an app before implementation, in a short time and at very low cost.

What our customers appreciate about prototyping

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Gathering user feedback

Even with partially functional prototypes, usability tests can be carried out and weaknesses identified.

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A picture is worth a thousand words

Convince potential investors with prototypes that make even complex functionality understandable and tangible.

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A common understanding from the outset

A prototype facilitates communication between all parties directly involved in implementation and development.

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Reduced development costs

A well-thought-out and tested concept keeps subsequent costs low and avoids unnecessary expenses.

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Engagement & commitment

Holding “your app” in your hands—even if it only displays core functionality—feels just the same. Being able to show your own app to colleagues, stakeholders, customers, or simply close friends inspires enthusiasm and strengthens the commitment of those involved.

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Aha moments

Testing the “app” on others leads to many ideas for further development and the backlog: people express wishes or encounter operating problems that had never been considered before.

What do you get as a result?

Depending on your requirements, we offer different levels of prototypes. Which prototype is best for you depends largely on its goal and purpose. We would be happy to discuss with you whether a static wireframe or an interactive, clickable prototype is right for you.

The 2 phases of prototyping

Getting to know & understanding

Common understanding

• What data is already available?

• What product is already available?

• What design is available?

• What should the product achieve/vision?

• What is the customer benefit?

• What is the intended use of the prototype?

Persona development (optional)

• Which users does the app want to appeal to? We will work this out in a joint workshop.

Technical analysis (optional)

• Which technical concepts could be useful? If time is of the essence, we can start working on the technical concept right away.

Develop proof of concept

Sketching

• UX designers develop simplified sketches

• Relevant parts of the user journeys are presented (with scribbles, mockups, wireframes)

• Simplified layouts without colors and images are created

Storytelling

• UX designers present initial results and ideas, taking into account the vision, intended use, and target audience of the prototype

• Repeated consultation points

Illustrative prototyp

• After this feedback loop, there is a visual clickable prototype without logic, i.e., each clickable area is permanently linked to an “image” to be displayed.

User Tests (optional)

• Check results/obtain feedback: Qualitative user tests depending on prototype, benefit, goal.

Tested prototype: What happens next?

The prototype has been tested and the prospects for success are promising. At this point, it may make sense to build a minimum viable product (MVP).

The construction of an MVP involves a stable and market-ready product that is reduced to its essential functional scope. This means that the MVP may have less functionality than the visual prototype. Depending on the scope of the visual prototype, the MVP may be less comprehensive, but it will have “real” functions and logic. The structured development of the prototype makes MVP creation much easier – because we now save a lot of time and money in developing the basic ideas for the MVP and know what works and what doesn't.

With a lean scope and functionality, the design, development, and testing of an MVP takes only a few months. The product is then ready for testing.

If these MVP tests are successful, i.e., if they show that sustainable added value is being generated, further functions can be added or replaced step by step. A scalable and well-thought-out architecture pays off particularly well from this point on.

You can find out more about MVP construction at farbenmeer in our blog article on the subject.

Way is prototyping?

In the context of digital product development, a prototype is a representation of basic functionalities in a form that closely resembles the application to be developed. More specifically, interaction concepts are made tangible in order to enable feedback—in other words, a proof of concept. The focus is on functionality and usability with a simple, proven look and feel.

Why choose farbenmeer?

For more than 10 years, we have been supporting companies on a long-term basis and on an equal footing in the design, development, and expansion of digital structures. In doing so, we have not only gained expertise with various business models, growth phases, company sizes, and industries, but have also created efficient working methods for the development of digital products that save time and money.

Like a well-oiled machine, our colleagues with market experience, UX expertise, design talent, and development know-how work together to quickly and skillfully guide you through the evaluation and implementation of your idea. Full-stack prototyping—that's us. The user is always the focus.

We are a small, family-like company and greatly appreciate this atmosphere. That's why you will have a dedicated contact person from the start of the project – and beyond.

Is prototyping right for you?

Our experienced UX designer Steffen will be happy to advise you on all questions relating to prototyping.