UX Tools

Here is a list of the necessary ux tools. This is a list that will help you to collect your own set of absolutely necessary tools in the work of the UX designer. From advanced prototyping programs to simple physical materials.

The rapid development of this area is related to the growing demand for IT projects in general, as well as the need to efficiently create web interfaces or mobile applications and also to test them before implementation. This is why prototyping tools, which allow you to almost touch the finished product even before the involvement of programmers, are gaining popularity. At a time when the prices of engineering services are constantly rising, this is a significant saving. These are the tools that are often the most difficult to set up in the process, because they can do anything from sketching, through UI, to animation and microinteraction. In my opinion, however, it is worth using them at the beginning and at the end of the design process, leaving the proper visual design to applications typically for UI.

Trello

The board filled with colourful, self-adhesive cards is a symbol of work in the UX team. Its digital equivalent can be found in Trello - a web tool enabling project management according to the Kanban idea, which belongs to the agile techniques. We have tables and cards at our disposal, which can be freely moved and edited - we can assign labels, task lists, appointments and responsible persons to them, and then filter them.

Axure RP

Axure RP is probably the first program that comes to mind when we think about choosing a tool to create mockups. Indeed, this program is a certain standard in the UX industry and knowledge of its operation is even mentioned as a requirement in various job offers. Anyway, it's a good idea to know him.

What are the advantages of Axure RP? First of all, it is a complex program, which in an intuitive way helps to create sketchy projects of web interfaces. In addition, Axure is a very popular program, so it's easy to find a variety of step-by-step tutorials and tutorials to guide you through the design process. An unquestionable advantage of this program is also a multitude of interface elements, which we have literally at our fingertips.

Proto.io

More and more often, tools dedicated exclusively to mobile projects are appearing on the market. One of them is Proto.io, thanks to which you can easily create advanced prototypes of mobile applications. In addition to basic interactions, the application also allows you to design animations and gestures, so that we can reproduce all the user experience in contact with the product. Therefore, it can serve as a specification for programmers - by mapping the mechanisms of action we will avoid ambiguous interpretations during implementation.

Balsamiq

Balsamiq is a very simple tool for creating mock-ups, a prototype for every UX designer. In simplicity, all its charm. Balsamiq contains a number of elements, usually available on websites, mobile apps and shops. In short, you select the right item from the gallery and drag it to the right place on your screen, adjust the size and repeat the action with the next items until the first model is ready. The way of editing is similar to PowerPiont, similarly you can add more shapes, elements and subpages / screens.

Balsamiqa can be used on many different platforms. From classic Windows and Mac applications to online applications (in the cloud) and plug-ins to Google Drive and Jira. For me as a user the best solution is to integrate with Google Drive, because I can work with other team members on the same file and I have access to projects on any device.

UserZoom

Multifunctional platform for remote usability testing. It provides detailed information on the behaviours and opinions of the recipients of our product. Recruitment of respondents takes place on the website, using a special module - they perform tasks on their device, during the natural use of the website. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research allows us to capture the essence of the problem and lead the way for its repair.

Creately

Creately is a tool that has been created not only for creating mockups, but also for creating diagrams or UML charts. Of course, in any other tool to create mockups we can also create a so-called flow chart, but how much easier is it when you have an application module designed to provide us with such a possibility?

Moreover, Creately contains a very large database of UI components, which may be useful for creating mockups that are visually similar to the appearance of a website. Including the free account option and relatively low prices of paid Creately options is one of the most interesting tools on the market.