A new experience in user experience?
Does your job involves designing websites and apps? If not, then XD will mean nothing to most. For digital designers, however, XD lets you quickly design and prototype by using tools and workflows similar to those in other Adobe CC applications. It lets UI/UX/Web designers prototype apps and websites on the fly, that can easily be updated when required. Design happens in real-time, so users can share their interactive prototypes with colleagues.
Speed up your design process with intuitive tools that let you draw, reuse and remix elements to create wireframes, visual designs, interactive prototypes and production-ready assets all in the same application.
Add interactions and animations to accurately test how users will experience your design. Switch easily between design and prototype without leaving the application.
Eliminate guesswork by previewing your designs complete with transitions. Make changes and see them immediately applied so your experience looks just the way you want it.
Send a link to team members and get quick feedback on your designs. Share production-ready artwork with developers so they can build to your specifications.
The downside for me regarding this application is that it’s missing the basic Adobe tools: Layers, rule and guides. Also if you’re prototyping, linking items together is very simple but the functionality is very limited. For example you’re not able to set sticky elements or fade in screen as an overlay or show scrollable areas, which other prototype applications have.
I get the feeling that Adobe have rushed this application out door. Not because the market place needs it but probably to stop current Adobe users from leaving and migrating over to “Sketch” to finish off their UI/UX/Web designs. At the moment Adobe XD has rolling regular updates once a month.
That said, after only scratching the surface of Adobe Experience Design I’ve got to say it has potential. It’s basic just now but that’s a starting point and it’s enough to keep me, a CC (Creative Cloud) user anyway, interested to see how this application evolves. I will definitely use this application on my next project.
Pete Berry
Tags: prototyping with adobe xd
July 25th 2016