Mockups are sketches representing key GUI features. They are specially used early in the design process to order ideas and to get feedback from the user. Traditionally, they were made of cardboard but now there are several software tools to make the process of creating them much faster. In this article I would like to tell you my experience with Balsamiq Mockups, a tool we used at Design vs Art for our last project.
Note: following our request, Balsamiq sent us an activation key to fully test the product.
The big thing
After trying several mockups tools, what it got my immediate attention was that the elements bar is located on the top of the window. Elements like buttons, containers, text and others for the iPhone are represented by huge icons that users only have to select and place on the mockup to make use of them. It doesn’t seem to be an important feature but it actually is, I have problems with other tools at the moment of looking for elements.
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Balsamiq Mockups window
The elements bar
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The "sketchy" look is great
I like the sketchy look so much because it turns attention away from details and allows users and testers to focus on the content and functionality. With this feature everybody understands that the presented "web" is just a test (what it also encourages users to criticize without fear).
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Mockup Example
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A few problems found
I have found two main negative issues:
- The property inspector is a floating bar appearing and disappearing as the user clicks on an element. I wish it was just a normal bar that is there without moving around, the fact that it is "blinking" all the time distracts users when they working.
- It is no possible to link mockups among them. This is a key feature that many other tools offer and Balsamiq should too. The company is already working on this (as I read on forums).
Conclusion
We are probably going to keep on using Balsamiq Mockups and I would totally recommend the tool but linking mockups is a feature that Balsamiq should offer to keep next versions competitive.
I have used and liked balsamiq, and found the same weakness as you did, I did come across a very similar project which does allow licking prototypes called flairbuilder. it is currently in beta but I have not had any problems with it http://www.flairbuilder.com/ IThe ability to link pages allows me to start testing interactions much earlier in the process.
I usually just make very quick sketches of interfaces on paper before doing them to work out how it should look and work. How would you say Balsamiq compares to using paper sketches? Is it just as easy and quick or would this require more effort?
Hi Dmitry,
I think making paper sketches still a good fast option when you are discussing about a new interface with colleagues. On the other hand, making sketches with a tool like Balsamiq could take longer but the user experience at the moment of testing could be more realistic.
Thanks for comments!
Alex
I really like Balsamiq, very cool and easy to use.I do agree that linking would make it perfect. Just a bit more emulating interactivity and it would be fantastic!
Hi Monica, we just released 1.6 which includes simple linking between Mockups! Check it out! http://www.balsamiq.com/blog/?p=1181
Hey Peldi, that sounds great! Let’s try it…