When you think of a prototype, you probably picture a physical object—the very first version of something new. Maybe it’s not the most polished thing you’ve ever seen. Maybe it doesn’t even work flawlessly. But it has power: a prototype makes an idea—once just a spark in someone’s mind—visible and tangible to others. It lets people finally see the vision, and from there, decide if they can glimpse its future value.
Software prototypes serve the same essential purpose—with their own particular quirks. Unlike physical objects, you can’t just share a screenshot of your amazing app and expect people to “get” it. Without interacting with a digital prototype, it’s hard to understand what your software actually does. That’s why, in digital product development, prototypes aren’t just nice-to-have—they’re crucial for moving the idea forward, gathering feedback, securing investment, and refining your vision for the real world.
All my prototyping happens in Figma. If you’re a designer or developer, you’ve likely heard of it. For everyone else, here’s a quick rundown:
Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool used by teams to create, share, and test everything from websites to mobile apps. It’s built for real-time collaboration, so designers, writers, product managers, and developers can all work together seamlessly—no matter where they are.
Some standout features:
Design systems and components: Build reusable elements that keep your work consistent as your product grows.
Developer mode: Smoothly hand off designs to engineers with specs and assets, bridging the gap between design and code.
Anywhere access: Figma works right in your browser, so there’s no need to download bulky software.
And of course...
Prototyping: Simulate the actual user experience, test flows, and gather feedback before a single line of code is written.
For me, Figma has been a game-changer for bringing Geez to life—week after week, in ways I didn’t expect. For about $200 a year, it’s one tool with a powerful impact. Great value? I think so.
Now, as for Geez itself: We’re ready for user testing. Our prototypes are ready. Test scripts are set. Designs are locked in. We’ve mapped every button, icon, transition, and motion—across hundreds of workflows—to make sure our product is as intuitive and effective as possible. (That’s just for one of our tools—for you to get a peek at.)
Next week, I’ll walk you through our user testing plan. I’m excited to share not just what we’re doing, but how and why we’re doing it. And you’ll find out more how to be a part of the fun.
One last note: You might see Figma in the news soon, as they’re set to go public with their IPO at the end of the month. Personally, I’m planning to jump in for the ride. I’m definitely no stock expert (definitely not), but I believe in companies whose products I use and love. So I like the bet. For me.
Just a heads-up for the curious: they’re currently valued around $13.6 billion (for context, that’s even more than the Lakers!). So as always, caveat emptor. If you do decide to join the ride, don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.