Have you ever wondered how to make an application mock-up? Or why do companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft invest billions of dollars in creating prototypes before launching them on the market?
This initial step proves to be a wise investment, saving both time and money by avoiding committing to products that may not meet market expectations. Apple has a wealth of prototypes that never saw the light of day. Google Glass is a striking example.
Mock-ups, or design models, serve this purpose. Present your ideas and design objectives before starting development with mock-ups. Impress customers and showcase your team’s capabilities while avoiding unnecessary adjustments. Functional mock-ups take this a step further.
But what exactly is a functional model? And how do you create one?
What is a functional mock-up? How do I create an application mock-up?
A mock-up is widely used in the design world to demonstrate a design or the result of a product. It’s simply an opportunity to demonstrate the design to customers before you start work.
But functional mock-ups are different. Unlike static mock-ups, which usually end up as printed documents or JPEGs on a slideshow. Functional mock-ups are initial prototype that allows customers to test the functionality of your design and see what it might look like when completed.
A majority of design teams don’t use functional mock-ups to show their designs to customers, as the whole procedure requires a lot of time and effort. It simply wasn’t a good idea, but it was worth the effort. However, this is no longer the case.
There are a myriad of software tools that enable users to create beautiful, functional mock-ups, without having to write a single word of code.
Benefits of designing functional mock-ups
Static mock-ups are ideal for visualizing your designs for your customers. But, once fully developed, these designs may not perform in the way your customers had hoped. This often translates into the need to make changes to your designs, and sometimes having to start from scratch.
If you were to use a functional mock-up or prototype to demonstrate the functions of your designs, your customers will have reasonable expectations of the result, and you’ll be able to develop a product that meets their demands. Because a functional mock-up or prototype is the closest you can get to the final product.
Another advantage of designing functional mock-ups is that once you’ve got the green light from your customer, you can easily hand over your mock-up to a development company (like CodeMyViews ) and turn it into the highest quality product possible.
This way, you can have your designs developed without having to employ a development team for your agency or even having to deal with terrible freelancers.
Here are some of the best mock-up tools you can use to design incredibly beautiful functional mock-ups.
Balsamiq Mock-ups: How to make an application mock-up?
Balsamiq defines its program in terms of a fast wireframing tool that helps you work faster and smarter. And that’s exactly what it does. It can be used as a desktop application or as a web application to easily create mock-ups.
Balsamiq Mock-ups work like a real whiteboard, allowing you to sketch the mock-ups you want to create according to the way they appear in your mind. It’s like drawing with a pencil. Then the software takes over, transforming these drawings into wireframe mock-ups almost instantly.
Key features of Balsamiq
Smooth user interface: Balsamiq Mock-ups boasts an attractive user interface, with drag-and-drop functionality that lets you create your mock-ups effortlessly. It’s much more efficient with drawing tablets, too.
Group collaboration: The whole group can use Balsamiq mock-ups to design more efficiently.
Designed for creatives: Using Balsamiq Mock-ups is like writing your thoughts on a sheet of paper. Creative designers will find it more beneficial.
What you can do with Balsamiq:
Balsamiq Mock-ups is ideal for creating rapid prototypes and mock-ups that have basic functions and design. It’s ideal for presenting your ideas in the very first phase of a customer meeting.
It can be used to create mock-ups for websites, interfaces, mobile device applications, software, and much more.
The cost of Balsamiq mock-ups starts at $89 per license for one user.
How do I make an application mock-up with Bubble?
Bubble.io is an open platform that allows users to develop an application or website without writing code. Developers can use Bubble.io to create personalized interactive websites. Without having to write a single piece of programming. If you’re just starting and looking to create things online, this is perhaps the most efficient and simplest way to go about it!
If that’s not enough, it offers free hosting and integrated marketing tools. Like SEO tools, your content gets noticed by users all over the world! There’s no cost and it’s free to sign up and start building your website today. These tools are more than enough for you to create your blog on Bubble.io.
Why create a blog on Bubble.io?
There are many reasons to create a blog using Bubble.io. But where do you start?
Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider creating a blog with Bubble.io:
- Your blog is simple and mobile-friendly for a beginner or experienced blogger
- A social media enthusiast who likes to share photos, videos, and ideas on your favorite topics
These are just a few of the many benefits you’ll enjoy once you start blogging on Bubble.io!
You’ll be able to use a platform that covers all the features you need. From social media integration to an easy-to-use interface.
How to create an application mock-up with UXPin?
UXPin is a prototyping tool created with the product team in mind. Unlike Balsamiq Mock-ups, UXPin works exclusively on the web, allowing you to create more sophisticated, interactive wireframes without the need to write code.
UXPin also features an innovative user interface, with a wide range of options for advanced users and thousands of pre-built elements for designing your mobile, desktop, and mobile products.
Key UXPin features
Interactive wireframes and user flows: You can create both interactive and static designs with UXPin. The UXPin editor also lets users import images directly from Sketch or Photoshop.
Enhanced team collaboration: UXPin’s key feature is its team collaboration function. Not only is it possible to design mock-ups in collaboration with your team and colleagues. But you can also comment directly on designs, inform teammates, check concepts, and much more using UXPin.
Project tracking: You can also track the status of each project using the UXPin dashboard, and modify your workflow with an editable status.
Extensible design system: UXPin: UXPin also lets you create context-specific documentation using annotated prototypes, and modify an updated component anywhere in the world.
What you can do with UXPin:
UXPin is a tool for creating basic and advanced functional prototypes. These include wireframes, user testing, and much more. The ability to include animated and interactive components in mock-ups makes UXPin an ideal tool for creating prototypes in the advanced phases of your design projects.
UXPin’s basic plan starts at $19 per month for each user.
Webflow: How to make an application mock-up?
Webflow is not only an online tool for designing layouts, but also a CMS (Content Management System) and hosting platform that allows you to create layouts for your websites, then complete development and host the website on the same system.
Over 380,000 talented professionals currently use Webflow to create and host stunning websites.
Key features of Webflow
Design and develop in one place: Webflow lets you create stunning websites using its drag-and-drop editor. Then turn them into fully functional websites without writing any code.
Create websites with a visual CMS: You can also use Webflow’s visual CMS to create beautiful blogs and organize your content, editing, and writing directly on the web page.
Integrated Web hosting service: Once you’ve finished creating your website. You can place it on Webflow using the Webflow hosting service.
What you can do with Webflow
Webflow is an excellent tool for individuals and small design agencies alike. It’s ideal for site design and prototyping. Webflow web hosting helps developers.
Webflow offers a free plan that lets you work with two unhosted projects. There’s also a professional plan for 35 per month, for 100 hosting projects.
How to make an application mock-up using Froont?
Like Webflow, Froont is a mock-up and development tool that lets you create and design websites without writing code.
It’s easy to create a mock-up of your website, show it to your customers, make any necessary changes, and turn it into a fully functional website in just a few minutes with Froont.
Key features of Froont
Drag-and-drop visual editor: The flexible and powerful editor available with Froont lets you quickly create websites the way you want them. Then make changes directly on the web page you’re creating.
Host your websites on Froont: Once you’ve finished designing, you can publish your site using Froont. Then you can save the code.
A library with a plethora of components: Froont has a vast library of various components. These include effects and animations, allowing you to explore and create stunning-looking websites.
What you can do with Froont
Froont is ideal for quickly prototyping and building static websites, such as publication pages and landing pages. Even 10-year-olds can create websites with the editor’s visual interface.
Froont’s pricing plans start at $17 per month to develop five projects and include domain hosting.
There is no universal solution for creating mock-ups. These tools can help you find the one that best fits your needs. Feel free to experiment with them and select the one that best suits your design process. For further information, please contact Altcode.
