What Is a Prototype in UX Design?

What it applies to

Any new website, major redesign, or new feature where user flows need to be validated before development begins. Prototyping is especially valuable for complex interactions, multi-step forms, and checkout flows.

Types of prototypes

• Paper prototype: Hand-drawn sketches of screens — useful for early ideation with zero investment.
• Low-fidelity clickable prototype: Wireframes connected with click interactions in Figma. Tests user flows and navigation logic without visual design.
• High-fidelity prototype: Full visual design with realistic interactions. Used for stakeholder approval and formal usability testing before development handoff.

How to build a prototype in Figma

• Design your frames (screens) in Figma.
• Switch to Prototype mode in the right panel.
• Draw connection arrows from interactive elements (buttons, links) to the destination frame.
• Set the transition type (instant, dissolve, slide) and trigger (on click, on hover).
• Click "Present" to view the prototype in full-screen and share the link with stakeholders or test users.

Usability testing with a prototype

Give test participants a specific task ("Book a demo") and observe — without helping — as they attempt to complete it using the prototype. Where they hesitate, click the wrong element, or ask questions reveals exactly where the design needs improvement before a single line of code is written.