How to Use InVision for Web Design: A Complete Guide

In this guide, we'll dive deep into how to use InVision for web design—covering everything from setting up your first project to making the most of its collaboration tools. By the end of this article, you'll have a solid understanding of how InVision can transform your web design workflow, help you create stunning prototypes, and foster seamless communication between designers, developers, and stakeholders.

Why InVision Is Important for Web Design

InVision is more than just a prototyping tool; it is a complete design collaboration platform. It allows designers to quickly turn their static designs into interactive, clickable prototypes, making it easier to present ideas, gather feedback, and iterate rapidly. Unlike traditional design tools, InVision focuses on teamwork, making it easier for multiple people to work together and make decisions efficiently.

InVision empowers teams to:

• Create interactive prototypes that simulate the user experience.
• Share design mockups and gather real-time feedback.
• Streamline communication between designers, developers, and clients.
• Manage design assets and workflows in one central location.

Now, let’s dive into how to use InVision effectively for web design.

Setting Up Your InVision Account and First Project

1. Creating an InVision Account

To start using InVision, you first need to create an account:

• Visit InVision’s official website.
• Sign up using your email, Google account, or enterprise login if your company provides one.
• Once your account is created, you’ll land on the dashboard, which will be your home base for managing projects.

2. Setting Up a New Project

After logging in, you can start creating your first project:

• On your dashboard, click on the + Create New button.
• Select the type of project you want to start—either a design prototype, a board, or a freehand sketch.
• Give your project a name (e.g., “Website Redesign”) and choose the format that suits your needs.

InVision allows you to import your web design files directly from design tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma, making it easy to get started on prototyping right away.

3. Uploading Your Web Design Assets

After setting up your project, the next step is to upload your design files:

• Click on Upload Screens to import your design files from Sketch, Photoshop, or other design tools.
• Once your files are uploaded, InVision will automatically convert them into web-ready prototypes.
• You can also use InVision Studio (InVision’s design software) to create animations and interactions directly within the platform.

Creating Interactive Web Prototypes in InVision

1. Linking Screens Together

InVision's standout feature is its ability to turn static designs into interactive prototypes:

• Open your project, and click on one of your uploaded design screens.
• Select the Build Mode in the top right corner, where you can link different screens together.
• Click and drag hotspots on any element you want to make interactive (buttons, images, menus) and connect them to the appropriate next screen.

This simple process simulates how users will interact with your website, making it a crucial tool for user testing and client presentations.

2. Adding Transitions and Animations

To enhance the user experience of your prototype, you can add transitions between screens:

• In the Build Mode, select a hotspot, and you'll see transition options.
• InVision provides various transitions such as Slide Left, Fade, or Push that replicate real-world web navigation.
• By adjusting the duration and easing of the transitions, you can fine-tune the flow of your prototype.

Transitions help users understand how different parts of the website are connected, creating a smooth, intuitive experience.

3. Testing and Previewing Prototypes

Once your prototype is interactive, it's important to test it:

• Click on Preview Mode to simulate how your web design will function.
• Walk through the entire user journey to make sure all interactions work as intended.
• You can also share the prototype link with colleagues or clients to gather feedback on the design and user experience.

InVision allows users to leave comments directly on the prototype, streamlining the review process and ensuring quick feedback loops.

Collaboration and Feedback with InVision

1. Sharing Your Prototype with Team Members and Clients

Collaboration is at the heart of InVision’s platform. Sharing your prototypes with stakeholders is easy:

• Click on the Share button, which will generate a shareable link.
• You can customize sharing permissions—whether the recipient can just view or comment on the prototype.
• Send the link to developers, clients, or other team members to begin the feedback process.

InVision’s Live Share feature allows multiple people to interact with the prototype simultaneously, which is perfect for real-time collaboration sessions.

2. Commenting and Feedback

Feedback is a crucial part of the design process, and InVision makes it seamless:

• Recipients can click anywhere on the prototype and leave comments or suggestions.
• As the designer, you’ll be notified instantly and can reply to comments or make adjustments directly within the platform.
• You can even pin comments to specific design elements, ensuring clear communication about what needs to be changed.

This integrated feedback system eliminates the back-and-forth emails and helps you keep track of design revisions efficiently.

3. Version Control and Design History

InVision also provides version control to help you manage multiple iterations of your designs:

• Every time you update a prototype, InVision automatically saves a new version.
• You can easily go back to any previous version of the prototype, allowing you to compare designs or revert changes if needed.
• Use the History Panel to view and restore earlier versions, ensuring you never lose track of your design progress.

Collaborating with Developers Using InVision Inspect

1. What Is InVision Inspect?

InVision’s Inspect tool is designed specifically for developers, allowing them to inspect design files and export assets directly from the prototype. This streamlines the handoff process, reducing friction between designers and developers.

2. How to Use Inspect for Developer Handoff

Once your design is finalized, you can enable the Inspect Mode for developers:

• Open your project, click on the screen you want to inspect, and activate Inspect.
• Developers can now see the exact CSS, HTML, and style properties for each design element.
• They can also download assets like images, SVGs, or icons directly from the prototype.

InVision ensures that developers have all the information they need to translate your web design into working code without confusion.

3. Exporting Design Specs and Assets

Another key feature of Inspect is the ability to export all design specs in one go:

• Designers can annotate specific parts of the design, providing developers with additional information such as animation behavior or responsive guidelines.
• Use the Export All Assets function to bundle and share all the required files with developers, ensuring that they have everything needed for implementation.

This integrated approach simplifies the web design-to-development workflow and minimizes errors during handoff.

Utilizing InVision Freehand for Web Design Brainstorming

1. What Is InVision Freehand?

InVision Freehand is a digital whiteboard tool that allows teams to brainstorm, sketch, and collaborate visually in real-time:

• It’s perfect for early-stage design ideation, allowing you to sketch wireframes, map out user flows, and gather ideas collaboratively.
• Freehand integrates seamlessly into the rest of the InVision platform, meaning you can easily transfer your sketches into actual prototypes.

2. Brainstorming Design Ideas with Your Team

With Freehand, you can host virtual brainstorming sessions:

• Invite your team members to join a Freehand board, where they can contribute ideas, sketches, or sticky notes.
• Use Freehand to map out user journeys, create flowcharts, or simply sketch rough concepts for the website layout.
• Collaborators can interact with the board in real-time, which is especially useful for remote design teams.

This early-stage collaboration ensures that all ideas are captured before you begin the formal design process in other tools.

3. Exporting Freehand Boards to Other InVision Projects

Once your brainstorming session is over, you can export the Freehand board into other InVision projects:

• Move your wireframes into a prototyping project to start building out the design.
• Use it as a reference point throughout the design and development process to ensure everyone remains aligned on the project’s vision.

Best Practices for Using InVision in Web Design Workflows

1. Keep Feedback Loops Short and Efficient

One of the best ways to improve your web design process is by shortening feedback loops:

• Regularly share your prototypes with stakeholders to gather incremental feedback.
• Address comments as soon as they come in, rather than waiting until the end of the project.

2. Collaborate Early with Developers

Involving developers early in the design process ensures a smoother handoff later:

• Use Inspect Mode early on to give developers a preview of what’s coming.
• Gather feedback from developers about the technical feasibility of certain design choices.

3. Use Version Control to Track Changes

Take advantage of InVision’s version control to keep your design process organized:

• Label different versions clearly to indicate which designs are client-approved, in-progress, or under review.
• Regularly review previous versions to ensure you’re building on the best ideas.

Conclusion

InVision is a powerful tool that revolutionizes the way web designers collaborate, prototype, and hand off designs to developers. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it a valuable asset for teams looking to streamline their web design workflows.

By leveraging InVision’s interactive prototypes, collaboration tools, and developer handoff features, you can ensure your web designs are not only beautiful but also functional and user-friendly. Whether you're working alone or with a team, InVision provides the tools you need to turn your vision into reality.

Start exploring InVision today, and transform your web design process into a more collaborative, efficient, and enjoyable experience.

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