Designing visual communications for all of the digital screens in our world is one thing. Designing how they behave? That’s where prototyping comes in. Whether you’re pitching to a client, testing UX, or presenting to developers, a working prototype turns your ideas into something tangible—and that makes all the difference.

Practical Tip:

Use tools like Figma or Adobe XD to create interactive prototypes:

• Link buttons to actions with transitions like “Navigate To,” or “Open Overlay.”
• Simulate flows with scroll interactions, hover states, and mobile gestures.
• Keep it lean: prototype just enough to explain the logic—not every micro-interaction.

In Figma, build your prototype directly in your design file, then use Present Mode to walk stakeholders through the experience. Annotate interactions to keep feedback focused and implementation clear. You can even share an active link with a colleague or peer to test for you.

Bonus: test on a real device using the Figma Mirror app or Adobe XD mobile viewer to make sure everything feels right in hand.

A Historical Perspective:

The push for interactivity can be traced back to the early days of human-computer interaction. Still, it found a design champion in Bill Moggridge, who co-founded IDEO and designed the first laptop, the GRiD Compass. His belief? Great design must be experiential, not just visual. He helped usher in UX as a core design principle (Moggridge, Bill. Designing Interactions. MIT Press, 2007).

Why It Matters Today:

Prototypes bridge the gap between vision and execution. They help users, clients, and teams see your design in action, which builds clarity, confidence, and momentum. So stop presenting still frames. Start showing how your ideas move.

Works Cited: Moggridge, Bill. Designing Interactions. MIT Press, 2007.