The Balance Between Low and High Fidelity in Design

Published May 31, 2024

The Power of Low-Fidelity Explorations
In my recent job search, I’ve noticed a common requirement for senior designers to excel in designing and prototyping high fidelity in Figma. While I champion high fidelity prototyping, I also deeply appreciate and utilize the potency of low fidelity explorations.

I never underestimate the impact of a low fidelity storyboard, which often elicits high fidelity feedback from stakeholders.

When is the right time to use low fidelity explorations?
It depends. The choice hinges on the depth of understanding of the problem, the components and usability patterns at hand, and the constraints of the platform I’m designing for. Designers should be empowered to determine when low fidelity or high fidelity is optimal.

Personally, when I’m approaching a problem with little prior knowledge, I default to low fidelity. This allows me to explore ideas, engage in discussions with stakeholders, and assess if the problem is genuinely a problem. It helps in pinpointing its location, understanding its existence, and contemplating potential solutions.

The Downsides of Low-Fidelity Explorations
The primary drawback of low fidelity is the risk of it being the sole design artifact. If another designer needs to reuse or adapt it, the absence of a high fidelity version poses challenges. How does it integrate into the design system? Should developers be responsible for converting it into a high fidelity prototype and creating interactions?

Anticipating future needs is a core responsibility of a product designer. Low fidelity explorations lack the interactivity and visual polish necessary for detailed usability testing, making it hard for users to grasp the final product’s functionality.

The Downsides of High-Fidelity Prototypes
High fidelity prototypes come with higher costs and require more time and specialized skills in Figma. However, my proficiency in creating interactive components in Figma has improved significantly with practice, enabling faster and more efficient high fidelity prototyping.

When do I Use Each Low-Fidelity Prototypes:
Ideal at the beginning of the design process for brainstorming, initial concept validation, and quick iterations. They foster collaboration and early feedback without the need for detailed design.

High-Fidelity Prototypes:
Best used once basic user flows and functionalities are established. They are crucial for detailed usability testing, refining interactions, and presenting a polished vision to stakeholders and developers before final development.

Balancing low and high fidelity approaches allows for a more flexible and effective design process, catering to different stages and needs of product development.