The feature in Adobe XD that allows you to create clickable prototypes is Prototype mode.
Understanding Adobe XD's Prototype Mode
Adobe XD is a powerful tool for UI/UX design, and a core part of its functionality is creating interactive prototypes. While the initial visual design work happens in the Design mode, the magic of making your designs interactive and clickable occurs when you switch to the dedicated Prototype mode.
As the reference states: "In design mode, we create the design for our application using XD tools and design features. Then we switch to prototype mode to specify the interactive links between artboards and components."
In this mode, you define the flow of your user experience by linking different screens (artboards) and interactive elements (components). This transforms static designs into dynamic simulations of how the final product will behave.
How Prototype Mode Works
Prototype mode allows designers to simulate user interactions such as:
- Clicking: Navigating from one artboard to another or triggering actions by clicking buttons, images, or other elements.
- Hovering: Changing the appearance of an element when the mouse hovers over it (using Component States).
- Dragging: Simulating swipe gestures or drag-and-drop actions.
- Time-based transitions: Automatically moving to the next screen after a set delay.
These interactions are created by drawing "wires" from a source element (like a button) to a destination artboard or a different state of a component. You can then define the type of trigger (Tap, Drag, Time), the action (Transition, Auto-Animate, Overlay, Scroll To, Playback, Speak), and the transition type (Dissolve, Slide, Push, Auto-Animate).
Key Benefits of Using Prototype Mode
Utilizing Prototype mode is crucial for the design process because it allows you to:
- Test User Flows: Validate how users will navigate through your application or website.
- Gather Feedback: Share interactive prototypes with stakeholders and users for realistic testing and valuable input.
- Communicate Design Intent: Clearly demonstrate complex interactions and animations to developers.
- Identify Usability Issues: Discover potential problems in navigation or interaction design early in the process.
| Mode | Primary Function | Example Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Design Mode | Creating visual layouts and assets | Drawing shapes, adding text, importing images, building components |
| Prototype Mode | Defining interactions and navigation flow | Linking buttons to screens, setting up transitions, adding animations |
In conclusion, while Design mode is where your visual concepts come to life, it's Prototype mode that makes those designs interactive and allows you to build clickable, shareable user experiences in Adobe XD.
