Mockplus Review – Prototyping tool for Designers

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Today, we will be reviewing Mockplus, an innovative new prototyping tool created specifically for designers. Mockplus is a tool that allows to quickly and easily create an application prototype for all types of applications, whether it is a mobile app, web app or desktop app. Let’s look at some of its features to see why Mockplus is an excellent choice for designers.

Code-Free Prototyping

Mockplus allows you to create prototypes without writing a single line of code. If you are a true designer, then you are probably not really a great coder – so you need a tool like Mockplus to help you save time on your prototyping. Mockplus has a drag and drop design that allows you to place components where you need them. Moreover, you can link pages using the drag and drop functionality.

200 Pre-Built Components

Mockplus comes with almost 200 pre-made components, making your prototype work more efficient than ever. Mockplus also contains 400+ icons, and the team behind it has plans to add even more.  Mockplus also contains markup components, allowing you to add markup to your prototypes.

Hand-Drawn Components

Love to draw your prototypes by hand first? No problem! Mockplus allows you to use hand-drawn styled components to give you the most flexibility.

Fast Prototypes & Innovative Features

How long does it take you to make a prototype from scratch? Wait…don’t answer that :) With Mockplus, you can create a prototype is just 5 minutes.  Your prototypes can also be shared and previewed on mobile devices without the need to transfer them via USB or publish the prototypes remotely.

With the “Group” component, you can combined multiple components into your own customized component, speeding up later prototypes. You can also clone pages and components with just one click.

Finally, once you are done creating your prototype, simple and easy to use Mockplus export options allow you to quickly make your prototype HTML ready or export to images.

Helpful Tutorials

Mockplus also has a handy tutorial section that explains how to use Mockplus and its features. Tutorials are in both text and video format, which makes them very easy to follow. These tutorials include things like how to customize buttons and component templates, how to use component grouping, how to create interactive pages and many more. You can view some of those tutorials here: Mockplus tutorials

Screenshots

Curious how Mockup looks inside? Take a peek by checking out a few preview images below:

slide_02 slide_03 slide_04 slide_05

Final Thoughts

We’ve been very pleased with the Mockplus tool and can recommend designers to download and use it. Mockplus is available for both Windows and Mac and can be downloaded here:

Download Mockplus

The post Mockplus Review – Prototyping tool for Designers appeared first on Web Design Blog | Magazine for Designers.



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Useful Prototyping Tools and Good Practices to Follow

Prototyping encourages design review, feedback, and validation activity as well as encouraging teamwork and active stakeholder participation.

The ability to simulate an end product in significant detail generally results in a higher quality product that can be produced in less time than traditional design approaches allow.

Prototyping’s benefits, combined with the use of the best tools and practices, practically guarantees a successful outcome.

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Three Good Practices

  • The Importance of Using Real Content –Avoid the temptation to wait until the end of the prototyping exercise to add real content. Content needs to fit into the overall scheme just as does any other design element. Real content, as opposed to “Loremipsum” placeholder copy, adds meaning to a mockup no matter what the prototyping stage may be, and it is particularly helpful whenever a mockup is to be shared with a client for review and feedback.
  • Test a Prototype Early and Often –Test early and test often, including testing for usability. One of the major benefits of a prototype is it enables testing to be conducted at any time. Early testing can uncover errors or omissions or highlight problem areas that can be quickly addressed, and in most cases can be quickly corrected or resolved. Test for usability throughout, and test on real people as the mockup nears completion.
  • Don’t Forget User Flows –A user flow represents a path a user will follow when navigating a website or app to complete a task. Sketch out user flows ahead of time. There may be one or two or many, depending on the nature of your site. When the flows are incorporated into initial prototypes (lo-fi prototypes), they can then be tested. Defining user flows early on and testing them repeatedly helps to ensure a smooth and streamlined user experience.

Introducing 5 of the Best Tools

Each of these five tools has its unique set of features, and each has its strong points. They represent the best on the market, although your eventual choice will be dependent on you or your team’s needs or requirements. Whichever one of these you choose will serve you well.

Proto.io

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This web-based application is an excellent choice for anyone who is responsible for designing and prototyping mobile apps, whether that person is an individual contributor responsible only to a client, or a member of a team. Proto.io is packed with features designed to produce extremely realistic, interactive prototypes without having to resort to a single line of code. Features include a large library of UI elements, to which you can add your own, as well as functionality to support gestures and transitions, including, swipe, pinch, pan, touch, tap, and tap hold.

Proto.io’s user base is indeed a large one, and one that includes a number of famous brand companies that use this tool to create realistic prototypes before choosing to invest their resources in actual app development efforts. Just as these companies have discovered, you will also discover that this prototyping tool is a genuine time and money saver, and one that will enable you to create higher quality apps for less.

Pidoco

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If you would like to take a quick tour of what Pidoco can do for you, add visiting their website to your to-do list. You will be treated to a demonstration that demonstrates how quickly and easily a working wireframe mockup can be created. 400+ interactive elements and icons are at your disposal, as are functionality supporting mouse, keyboard, and touch gestures in your mockup. In addition, sharing prototypes, design notes and comments is a snap thanks to this tool excellent collaboration features, which include issue tracking, comment collection, screen editing provisions, and most importantly, prototype version control.

Test-driving your prototype on an iOS or Android device, or on a web browser is a simple task as well. Constructing your prototype and running it on a device can be done without any need for downloading or installing code.

InVision

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Transforming static screens into clickable, interactive prototypes without resorting to a single line of code should be a simple task. And when your prototyping not only does that, but allows you to easily share those prototypes with team members and project stakeholders for real-time collaboration—all the while maintaining version control—you have what’s rightly called the world’s most powerful design prototyping tool: InVision.

InVision’s presentation tool, LiveShare, makes that real-time collaboration and rapid prototyping a reality. But to achieve rapid prototyping objectives, workflow bottlenecks have to be avoided—or at least minimized. This powerful tool achieves that by creating to-do lists from team members or client feedback, while at the same time maintaining total version control over a rapidly evolving prototype. InVision will make a worthy addition to your design toolkit.

HotGloo

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One of HotGloo’s key benefits is the manner in which it promotes co-simultaneous design workflow among team members, clients, or other stakeholders. This due to the fact that this rapid prototyping tool is web-based. There is no need to upload or download the latest versions from a server. Stakeholders can review design changes and provide feedback in real time, and team members can work together on certain aspects of a design in real time as well. HotGloo offers an ideal solution whether you are building an app or a large and complex eCommerce web store.

PowerMockup

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Those who have PowerPoint and are familiar with its many uses will find PowerMockup an extremely valuable prototyping tool to have on hand. PowerMockup is a Microsoft PowerPoint add-on, and as such it capitalizes on PowerPoint’s many useful and powerful features such as slideshow, animation, and an ability to create a mockup within Microsoft Word. This tool is extremely intuitive and easy to use. If you are a PowerPoint user, or are thinking of becoming one, downloading a free trial version of this prototyping tool would be well worth considering.

Some Final Thoughts on Best Tools and Practices

Prototyping can get a project off to a fast start. Its highly iterative nature makes resolving design issues a relatively quick an easy task when a given tool’s collaboration features are brought into play. The same can be said for the project management features that are found in the best prototyping tools, such as the one described here. Since design errors or omissions can be caught early on, prototyping tools quickly pay for themselves in terms of savings of time and money. Using a tool that best meets your requirements, together with following best practices in using that tool, not only encourages teamwork, but is also a key to almost certain success.

The post Useful Prototyping Tools and Good Practices to Follow appeared first on Line25.



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Design your way

Nowadays, it’s a lot harder to get a job than you may have originally thought it was, especially since an education can only get you so far.

However, not even an education can provide you with all of the necessary skills that you will need in order to enter the workplace.

Entering the workplace itself can be extremely difficult, especially in terms of how to become a web designer. When you are unsure of exactly where to start in this kind of an industry, standing out in a crowd is certainly no easy task.

Never think that you’ll simply “make it,” because that is something that just won’t happen. In order to become truly successful, you have to put forth a great deal of hard work and dedication.

What you need to know

Photoshop

Photoshop
Image source: Rodaq

This is an option that a great many designers have utilized for many years now. In fact, many front-end developers know how to use the program and can easily extract graphics from many different PSD files. All of the different jobs with Photoshop can be made a lot easier thanks to all of the third-party plugins that are currently available.

Designing With Code

Designing With Code
Image source: Mattia Astorino

Some designers who are familiar with HTML and CSS first started designing in the browser, bypassing the entire Photoshop design process. HTML design essentially comes down to coding. Some designers think it’s perfectly acceptable not to code, while others feel that it’s an absolute necessity. Regardless, it’s important for any and all web designers to know all of the basics of HTML and CSS.

CSS Frameworks

CSS Frameworks

Different frameworks like Bootstrap, Foundation and a few others can provide you with something to build around. Regardless of which type of program you choose to go with, chances are you aren’t likely going to open up any kind of a blank document and construct an application from nothing. These kinds of programs are useful for web designers.

Utilizing Colors

Utilizing Colors
Image source: Nathan Yates

Never make any attempt to copy the color schemes that another web designer has used, especially without first trying to understand exactly how they came to the decision to use that color scheme in the first place. This is because colors and themes always have different meanings to different people.

For example, just because you may personally think that a certain color scheme may convey a sense of innovative technology, that doesn’t automatically mean that someone else will. In the end, you will want to do as much research as you can before you make a final decision about choosing a color scheme for your web design project.

Responsive design

Responsive design
Image source: Adrián Somoza

Responsive design is also sometimes referred to as “fluid grids,” “media queries,” and “flexible images.” This is something that you will need to know as much about as possible in order to ensure that you don’t start off in some sort of an empty hole. Ultimately, becoming as comfortable as possible with your overall workflow will help the design process greatly.

Promote yourself

A Portfolio

A Portfolio
Image source: Soumya Ranjan Bishi

A useful way to showcase your work – past and present – is to create and launch your own website for the world to see. Even if you do not have a great deal of work to showcase at the moment, you still may want to consider thinking of and purchasing a domain name as early as possible in order to ensure that you are ready.

Out of all of the tools that you have, your portfolio is what will be perhaps the most important. This is also where you will want to do as much work as you can and include what you feel are your best pieces. This means you will need to gain as much work experience as you can, even if you have to take on some projects that you will not get paid for.

Seek Out Clients

Seek Out Clients

Any and all potential clients will immediately ask to see examples of any previous work that you’ve completed. This will always be the case whether you’ve decided to complete work on your own free time or for someone else, so be prepared.

Prepare For Social Media

Social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn are great ways to not only seek out certain jobs, but also to let employers know exactly what kind of jobs you’re looking for. Regardless of the platform you choose, make sure that your profile is as clean and crisp as possible, as well as including any recent roles you have held relating to the types of jobs that you are looking for.

Submit Resumes

Submit resume

When you submit resumes to potential employers, be sure to highlight all of the most important skills that you possess. The main point is to let the company know why you should be the one person that they should consider more than anyone else for a position that may currently be open.

You may also want to do some advance research on the company you are applying for and let them know how your skills would fit in with what they’re looking for in particular.

Get Ready For The Interview

Not all interviews for web design jobs are conducted in the same manner. Before taking part in one, ask what it will entail and prepare yourself accordingly. Concentrate on putting as much effort into nailing the interview as possible.

Never Give Up

There is every chance in the world that you may end up getting rejected for a certain web design job. However, don’t think of this kind of situation as being the end of the world, because it isn’t.

All that means is that the company felt that you were not the right person for the particular job that they were hiring for and that they found someone more eminently qualified. Instead of thinking of this as a defeat, think of this as an opportunity to become much more assertive in your job search.

Always Learn Something New

The world of computer technology is changing every single day, which means that a web designer must do everything within their power to stay on top of all of those very changes. Take as much time as you can to learn about everything new that is happening within this field.



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25 Beautiful WordPress Themes for Blogs and Magazines

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Are you looking for some great WordPress themes for blogs and magazines? Here they are! We selected the newest and best designed WordPress themes you can use for your blog or online magazine.

All of these WordPress themes have modern designs, clean layouts and lots of useful features. From typography-centered themes, to grid layouts and templates with large photography, you will definitely find your perfect WordPress theme in this list.

Let us know which ones you like the most and why.

SugarBlog – Clean & Personal WordPress Blog Theme

SugarBlog---Clean-&-Personal-WordPress-Blog-Theme

BeeBlog – A Responsive WordPress Blog Theme

BeeBlog---A-Responsive-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Maple – Responsive WordPress Blog Theme

Maple---Responsive-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Neptune – Theme for Food Recipe Bloggers & Chefs

Neptune---Theme-for-Food-Recipe-Bloggers-&-Chefs

GROOVE – Clean & Modern Magazine Theme

GROOVE---Clean-&-Modern-Magazine-Theme

Gladiolus – A Responsive WordPress Blog Theme

Gladiolus---A-Responsive-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Coast – Flat and Minimalist Blogging Theme

Coast---Flat-and-Minimalist-Blogging-Theme

Norway – Responsive WordPress Theme

Norway---Responsive-WordPress-Theme

Journey – Personal WordPress Blog Theme

Journey---Personal-Wordpress-Blog-Theme

Video News = WordPress Magazine / Newspaper Theme

Video-News-=-WordPress-Magazine-Newspaper-Theme

Hayes – Minimal & Personal WordPress Blog Theme

Hayes---Minimal-&-Personal-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Flavio – A Personal & Responsive WordPress Theme

Flavio---A-Personal-&-Responsive-WordPress-Theme

BloMag WordPress Theme – Exclusively for Marketers

BloMag-WordPress-Theme---Exclusively-for-Marketers

HighCriteria – Flat & Clean Magazine Theme

HighCriteria---Flat-&-Clean-Magazine-Theme

Examiner Magazine Theme

Examiner-Magazine-Theme

Sparkler – Responsive WordPress Magazine Theme

Sparkler---Responsive-Wordpress-Magazine-Theme

Canary – Minimal WordPress Blog Theme

Canary---Minimal-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Tasty – Responsive Blog WordPress Theme

Tasty---Responsive-Blog-WordPress-Theme

CityNews – Comprehensive Newspaper WordPress Theme

CityNews---Comprehensive-Newspaper-WordPress-Theme

TimeLess – Clean Personal WordPress Blog Theme

TimeLess-–-Clean-Personal-WordPress-Blog-Theme

SoftWind – SEO Friendly WordPress Blog Theme

SoftWind---SEO-Friendly-WordPress-Blog-Theme

Forman – Responsive News, Magazine and Blog Theme

Forman---Responsive-News,-Magazine-and-Blog-Theme

Thoughts – Responsive WordPress Blogging Theme

Thoughts-–-Responsive-WordPress-Blogging-Theme

Clementina – Fashion, Travel, Lifestyle Blog Theme

Clementina---Fashion,-Travel,-Lifestyle-Blog-Theme

Anne Alison – Soft Personal Blog Theme

Anne-Alison---Soft-Personal-Blog-Theme

 

The post 25 Beautiful WordPress Themes for Blogs and Magazines appeared first on Line25.



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