Mobile App Prototyping

What is a Prototype App? It’s a visual mock-up of a real app which demonstrates its design and function. Prototype apps can take different forms, from wireframe sketches through to a real mobile app installed on your phone. They generate business value by allowing you to thoroughly test an idea before bringing it to market. Note that prototype apps use mock data and do not have a backend.

When is a Prototype App right for you?

If you want to test your product

A prototype app can give you clarity about whether your vision works and what might need adapting. It can often save a significant amount of development cost further down the line.

If you’re seeking funding

A prototype can be highly useful when it comes to demonstrating a product to investors and prospective shareholders.

If you’re looking to iterate quickly

A prototype enables you to cycle through several drafts before developing your software, which can save time and money in the long run.

But how does a 10Clouds prototype app differ from an MVP or a prototype from Marvel or InVision?

The below table should help you decide which solution is the most suited to your product and vision:

AnimationsNative transitionsNative UI and UXCode to use in next stage of the product lifeSupport of native functionalitiesWorks offlineDistribution to testersTime

Prototype App

Full range

Unlimited

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Link

3-4 weeks

Marvel

No

Restricted

Mocked

No

No

No

Link

1-2 weeks

InVision

Limited

Restricted

Mocked

No

No

No

Link

1-2 weeks

MVP

Yes

Unlimited

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depends on sow

Link

8-12 weeks

Prototype App

Marvel

InVision

MVP

Animations

Full range

No

Limited

Yes

The journey of a Prototype App at 10Clouds:

It starts with a proposal

The client approached us for an estimate for creating a prototype app. After an initial consultation with our Sales Team, the query was passed over to me, so that I could conduct an estimate of the time and cost. During this phase, we also propose a solution that may be suitable for the given product. In this case, we recommend Flutter.

Beginning the first stage of development

When the scope of work and all contracts are signed, it's time to start development. This first stage of development involved a small team - myself (the software developer), the Scrum Master/Project Manager, Marcin and the Product Owner and client. We also cooperated with two talented designers and animators.


We began with a Backlog Refinement meeting where we created and tweaked user stories. These explain the ways in which end-users interact with different features of the system.

The core part of development

Once the above points were completed, the core part of development can begin. In a project as challenging as this, every aspect carried something exciting with it. I had a chance to work with charts, game engines, Flutter animations (predefined and custom ones), massive data sets, and real-time refreshing.After each two-week sprint, we met each other, discussed results, applied fixes, and decided what needed to be done next.

The end of the first phase - but it's just the start of something bigger...

My journey with this client has ended for now after having achieved the goals of that first phase of development effectively and on time. But for the client’s team, this is just the start of something much bigger - and I hope that I might be invited to be part of their ongoing journey in the future.

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