Template Prototyping
A template prototype is a draft version of a website used briefly to test layouts.
Prototypes are done at the same time as Visual Planning—and they help with the Visual Planning process.
It is done using a dev site with a Starfish Starter Site.
Prototyping Layouts and Templates
Loading in a template and adding a few photos to it is easy, doing so early on in the project will help set expectations.
It will help you see if the template is truly suitable, or are there any kinks that can’t be seen in the screen grabs of the template in the visual plan.
What to do
You have to adapt the template a little to the content you have to see if it fits.
You can add extra sections, adapt colors, etc.
You have to spend some time adapting, but you have to know when to stop and go back to visual planning in FigJam.
Getting visual feedback
The whole point of this exercise is to give you ideas on how to carry the visual plan forward and what mistakes to correct. You may need to try other templates.
Working in conjunction with Visual Plans
You can screengrab the template prototype and bring it back into the visual plan.
Ideas can be assembled more efficiently with a realistic idea of what will be finally produced.
Don't keep making improvements in the prototype
You should not keep working in the prototype beyond the point of its purpose, which is testing and exploring a little.
Show the prototype to the client
A prototype will help manage the client’s expectations and help the client to guide you on how they wish to see the site function or look.
Clients like checking early prototypes, and doing so will help avoid future disappoint.