Prototyping is the process of developing a system model. It's an experimental method in which design teams translate ideas from paper to digital form. To capture design concepts and test them on users, teams create prototypes of varying degrees of quality. Prototypes are used in information systems to help system designers create an efficient and easy system for end-users.

It's an important element of UX design that normally happens after ideation, when the team has come up with and chosen concepts that can help users solve their problems. Prototyping is the process of creating a simple experimental model of your proposed product so that you can see how well it meets the development requirements.

During usability testing, prototypes are critical for identifying and fixing user pain points with participants. UX teams may visualize and enhance the user experience during the design process by testing prototypes with end users.

Prototyping has several advantages, including a more efficient and effective design process. Because prototypes allow firms to test their designs in a real-world situation, it's easier to see possible problems and avoid costly mistakes later on.