Tips on Rapid Mobile App Prototyping

There are many great tools and utilities to help get your app ideas into a feasible product. Today, we're going to share with you our favorite tools we use at Apperian. These tools range from free to just under a hundred dollars. With so many features and details, you need to utilize these tools to organize and plan for your app.

• OmniGraffle

This is by far our most utilized tool at Apperian. We use OmniGraffle for all of our wireframing documents. It's easy enough our Project Manager feel conformable editing and modifying these documents. Packed with amazing stencils and templates, Omnigraffle allows you to quicky mock up wireframes, decision/flow charts, and storyboards.

If your looking to get more out of Omnigraffle, definitely check out GraffleTopica for third-party Stencils and Templates.

• Mind Node

When it comes to organizing, collecting and outlining your thoughts, MindMode bring a super simple approach to mind mapping. Available for free, this powerful tools allows you to layout ideas in a connective node based UI. With OPML and FreeMind import support, this one is worth checking out.

• App Cooker

Utilizing the iPad, App Cooker is an app that allows you to design, mockup and prototype interfaces directly on the iPad. Using a WYSIWYG methodology, the graphic editor is top notch allowing you to drag and drop preset or custom vector elements. This app feels like a powerful editing tool, and it has great extra like the App Idea Planner, Icon Editor and Pricing Tool. Packed with loads of icons, screens and native elements, this App is definitely worth checking out!

• Flair Builder

As a browser based wire framing tool, Falir Builder offers powerful features to wireframe apps and websites. Offering a free 15-day trail, you can test drive this Adobe Air app in a few minutes. This app is clean and simple to use. Used by major industry players, it packed with loads of components and common functions. Flair Builder offers a interactive approach to prototyping. With a wide range of available "on mouse" functions, you can bring your wireframes and prototypes to live! Check it out!

These are just some of the tools we use on a daily basis. We hope you check these out! Have some interesting tools you want to suggest? Drop us a line below!

• OmniGraffle
• Mind Node
• App Cooker
• Flair Builder