 Welcome to What Are Prototypes. In this learning module, you'll be introduced to what prototypes are, how they're used during usability testing, and what results they can provide. Every user experience designer understands the importance of getting participant feedback. It's essential to understand how the website or application works in the hands of real users, and this feedback has to be in before the final product goes live. The most effective method for getting this feedback is by using a prototype, which is a draft version of a website or application. Instead of building the entire project, a slimmed down version is created in a short period of time. It can represent the full blown site, or it can simply include a few specific pages. These draft versions save money, and programming time, and prevent wasting resources. Prototypes play an important role in user experience design. At this stage of the project, feedback from other types of usability testing methods, including card sort, wire frames, and research has already been incorporated to create personas identifying the user's needs and wants. These guide development and help determine what the website or app actually looks like. The draft versions can range from simplistic paper sketches to computer-based mockups of websites or applications. A variety of computer software programs can also be used to create visuals. All prototypes are designed to show the intention behind any design. They showcase an entire concept or only a few pages. This flexibility allows any designer to get the necessary feedback to finish developing the project. Creating the first prototype shouldn't be a long process, and it will undoubtedly be different from the final product. It should be considered a work in progress. Prototypes are essential because they're less expensive, less time-consuming, better at communicating the design, more user-friendly, and allow for valuable feedback and idea generation. In addition, they provide the stakeholders and testers a preview of the final product. A prototype brings the website or application to life. This glimpse garners enthusiasm from stakeholders because it allows them to see the vision. These models simulate the look, feel, and flow without the cost of developing the full site. They're also a great way to encourage feedback and idea generation. The mock-up puts the user in the environment, creates specific feedback for the user-experienced designer to make relevant changes. Using prototypes during usability testing ensures the final project meets or exceeds expectations. Today, we've examined what prototypes are, how they're used during usability testing, and the results they can provide. Overall, they help you gather feedback from actual users, make changes quickly, and improve upon your designs. Prototypes are an essential tool for all user-experienced designers. You have completed what are prototypes.