What is the purpose of creating a prototype in the UX design process?

Creating a prototype in the UX design process serves the essential purpose of demonstrating the product's functionality. A prototype is a tangible representation of a product or system, allowing designers and stakeholders to visualize and interact with the design before it is fully developed. This step is crucial for testing how the product works and for gathering feedback on usability, navigability, and overall user experience.

Prototypes can vary in fidelity, ranging from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity interactive models. They help identify potential issues and areas for improvement and provide a platform for stakeholders to engage with the design. By simulating user interactions, prototypes facilitate discussions about feature requirements and functionality, thus refining the end product before extensive development and investment take place.

In contrast, while researching user needs, defining user problems, and brainstorming new ideas are all integral parts of the UX design process, these activities happen earlier in the design cycle. Prototyping specifically focuses on showcasing and testing functionality, making it a key phase for moving from abstract concepts to practical application.