SynthMock
A still, a video and an interactive prototype give the audience different kinds of control. Choose the medium that answers the design question, then label what it demonstrates and what remains unverified.
Try it in SynthMock
Bring your own screen.
Open the device in the editor and use this article alongside your own artwork.
A paid account is required to export images or videos. View plans
Choose the question before the format
If the discussion concerns grouping, typography or a visual hierarchy, a still lets people inspect the same state for as long as they need. If it concerns a sequence, a video can show the intended order. If it concerns a choice or response, an interactive prototype may be the more useful artifact.
None of these automatically proves the design is successful. A mockup can look polished while an interaction remains unresolved. A prototype can be clickable while still representing only a narrow path. State the artifact's scope so the discussion does not mistake presentation quality for implementation or test evidence.
A decision table for the review
Use a small combination when one medium cannot carry the whole explanation. The audience should understand why each artifact is present.
| Need | Primary medium | Useful companion |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect a layout | A stable image at a readable size | A detail crop with context |
| Understand a planned sequence | A controlled video | A representative still and short description |
| Explore an interaction | An interactive prototype | A clear task and known limitations |
| Verify shipped behavior | The actual product and appropriate evidence | A mockup only for visual context |
Keep the package smaller than the uncertainty
A long animation can conceal a simple unanswered question beneath many polished moments. Start with the smallest artifact that lets a reviewer make the next decision. Add motion when timing or spatial change is actually part of that decision.
For a proposed handoff, provide a primary image, one optional clip and a prototype link only when it is relevant. Name the expected review question beside each. Check that the video has a useful poster and that the still makes sense without playback. Keep account requirements and access to shared materials clear. The result should help someone evaluate the work, not force them through an elaborate tour before they can identify the issue you need resolved.
Final pass
Before you call it finished
- Name the question each artifact answers.
- Describe prototype and recording limitations honestly.
- Provide a stable image even when motion is included.
Put the idea on a screen.
Explore device mockups ↗