Prototyping Tools for non-programmers - Expression?

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We are looking for a prototyping tool to allow our business analysts (and myself) mockup sites. Some people have suggested using the MS Expression suite of tools for this. I am worried it might be a bit too technical for the non-programmers.

Does anyone have any experience using Expressions Web (or Blend) as a prototyping tool? Is there anything else anyone would recommend.

Epergne answered 5/2, 2009 at 18:47 Comment(0)

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I would not recommend that. You should use something that isn't intended for real application design. Mockups shouldn't look real, and your mockup tool shouldn't be difficult to use. When mockups look real, users get confused when the actual product looks different.

Pedaias answered 5/2, 2009 at 18:52 Comment(1)

+1 And with real looking mockups you'll get all kind of design feedback you really want to avoid at this point – Madeleinemadelena 30/6, 2013 at 7:40

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Take a look at Balsamiq Mockups.

Very easy to use, and the resulting mockups actually look like mockups.

Diehl answered 5/2, 2009 at 18:57 Comment(2)

+1 Balsamiq mockups is one of the best applications I've ever used, from any genre. – Triciatrick 10/2, 2009 at 22:15

The developer formerly was with Macromedia and then Adobe, before going solo. His blog makes for a very interesting read. – Diehl 11/2, 2009 at 15:17

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I would not recommend that. You should use something that isn't intended for real application design. Mockups shouldn't look real, and your mockup tool shouldn't be difficult to use. When mockups look real, users get confused when the actual product looks different.

Pedaias answered 5/2, 2009 at 18:52 Comment(1)

+1 And with real looking mockups you'll get all kind of design feedback you really want to avoid at this point – Madeleinemadelena 30/6, 2013 at 7:40

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Visio works well for this. Usually for mockups you should be looking at what pieces of information go on a page, general layout, menu at the top, content in the middle kind of things.

If you build your mockup in HTML you may spend to much time fiddling around with things that do not matter early in the project, colors, exact spacing etc. Since it is a "real" form you will also get a lot of feedback on these items.

Hygeia answered 5/2, 2009 at 19:58 Comment(0)

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You don't even need a computer, just get GUI Mags.

Cankered answered 10/2, 2009 at 22:15 Comment(0)

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If you are familiar with Eclipse then take a look at WireframeSketcher. It's a plugin I am developing for quickly sketching screen mockups.

Cockaleekie answered 10/2, 2009 at 23:18 Comment(0)

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There is a comprehensive list of such tools here.

Some of those are targeted for non-programmers (as my own, MockupScreens, it's also on the above list) but most can be used by business analyst, UX designers and the like.

The real difference is whether the tool is aimed at communication (e.g. clarifying requirements together with users) or at application design (ie. mockups being as precise and as complete as possible)

Madeleinemadelena answered 30/6, 2013 at 7:48 Comment(0)

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Axure RP is the best tool I've seen for this.

It's expensive (free trial available), but it's absolutely wonderful. Goes way beyond static wireframes, allows you to mock up interactions, navigation, behaviour and the like. Resulting prototypes are viewable/usable from any web browser, and it'll let you annotate them and generate static documentation (Word docs, etc.) directly from the prototype.

Irradiance answered 10/2, 2009 at 23:25 Comment(0)

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