InVision - Detailed Review
Design Tools
InVision - Product Overview
InVision Overview
InVision is a leading platform in the design tools category, particularly focused on product design and collaboration. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
InVision is built to facilitate collaboration and streamline the product design process. It allows users to create interactive prototypes, gather feedback, and iterate on designs efficiently. The platform supports various stages of product design, including prototyping, development, and testing.
Target Audience
InVision caters to a diverse range of users, from individual designers and freelancers to large enterprises. Its core customer base includes:
- Designers and creative professionals working in industries like graphic design, web design, user experience design, and product design.
- Product managers and developers who use the platform to streamline the product development process.
- Startups and small businesses that need to create prototypes and validate ideas quickly.
- Large enterprises and corporations requiring advanced features and scalability.
Key Features
- Prototyping: InVision allows users to create interactive mockups for wireframes using a drag-and-drop method. These prototypes can be shared with collaborators and stakeholders for feedback, and they support features like hover states and gestures for mobile prototypes.
- Collaboration: The platform enables real-time collaboration among team members and stakeholders. Users can add notes, comments, and feedback directly within the prototypes.
- Design Tools: InVision Studio, part of the InVision suite, offers vector editing, layer styling, and animated drawings. It also supports importing files from other design tools like Sketch.
- Design System Management: InVision DSM (Design System Manager) helps users store and control all their brand and UX components, ensuring consistency across designs.
- Integration: InVision integrates with cloud services like Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox, making it easy to load and share designs.
Overall, InVision is a comprehensive tool that helps designers, product managers, and developers create and refine digital products through effective collaboration and prototyping.
InVision - User Interface and Experience
InVision Overview
InVision, a prominent tool in the design and prototyping space, offers a user interface that is both intuitive and feature-rich, making it highly accessible and effective for designers.User Interface
The user interface of InVision is characterized by its simplicity and ease of use. Here are some key aspects:Dashboard and Workspace
The dashboard is well-organized, showing the exact order of design screens, making it easy to manage multiple projects simultaneously. When you open a project, the workspace provides a comprehensive set of tools for designing and prototyping.
Drag-and-Drop Functionality
InVision uses a drag-and-drop method to add various elements to your project, such as photos, drawings, and designs from different sources like your system, server, or cloud. This feature makes the design process effortless and efficient.
Design Tools
The workspace includes a variety of tools for adding widgets, icons, links between screens, notes, and interactive animations. For example, you can create a widget in just a few steps and add it to your design. You can also link screens together by adding interactions to elements like buttons.
Collaboration Tools
InVision integrates collaboration tools such as chat, annotation, and commenting. These tools allow for clear and fine-grained discussions on the project, enabling team members and clients to provide feedback directly on the design.
Ease of Use
InVision is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those without deep design knowledge.Learning Curve
The learning curve is relatively short. Users have reported being able to achieve their design goals quickly, thanks to the intuitive UX/UI of the tools. Features like Live Freehand for collaborative sketching and the integrated Craft plugin for Sketch further enhance the ease of use.
Step-by-Step Process
The process of creating a project is straightforward. You start by choosing a plan, selecting the device and your role, choosing source files, and then designing your project. Each step is well-guided, ensuring that users can follow along easily.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with InVision is highly positive due to several key factors:Collaborative Experience
InVision facilitates a truly collaborative experience. Clients can deliver feedback directly on the design, even if they are not familiar with design terminology. This feature helps in developing a common language and ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page.
Accessibility and Organization
Projects can be accessed from anywhere via the web-based or desktop application, with cloud storage ensuring that all prototypes and designs are readily available. The ability to organize all projects in a single screen as a private portfolio keeps everything perfectly organized.
Interactive Prototypes
InVision allows you to create interactive prototypes that can be accessed by both designers and clients. Features like hover states, animations, and transitions enhance the dynamic nature of the application or prototype, providing a realistic preview of the final product.
In summary, InVision’s user interface is designed to be easy to use, highly collaborative, and efficient, making it an excellent tool for UX and UI design.
InVision - Key Features and Functionality
InVision Design Tools
InVision, within the design tools category, offers a suite of features and functionalities that cater to various aspects of the design process. Here are the main features and how they work:InVision Studio
InVision Studio is a powerful design tool that allows for vector graphics and pixel-level design. It operates with layers, enabling automatic adjustments across your design when you make changes, such as cropping an image or altering a component. Studio includes animation features like transitions, gestures, and timeline editing, as well as the ability to link layers. It also supports importing Sketch files and runs on both Mac and Windows systems.Design System Manager (DSM)
DSM is a part of InVision Studio and serves as a library where you can store and manage your design components and control the brand and design style. This ensures consistency across your designs by providing a centralized repository for all your UX components.InVision Cloud
InVision Cloud is a platform where you can connect, store, and share your entire product design workflow. It facilitates collaboration by allowing you to manage and share your designs, prototypes, and other design assets with your team and clients.Freehand
Freehand is a tool within InVision that allows for real-time collaboration on designs. It enables teams to work together on wireframes, prototypes, and other design projects simultaneously, enhancing the collaborative aspect of the design process.Specs
Specs is a feature that helps in the handoff process from design to development. It provides detailed design specifications, making it easier for developers to implement the designs accurately.Prototyping
InVision’s prototyping capabilities allow designers to quickly create interactive prototypes from static images. You can upload wireframes of any fidelity level and transform them into clickable prototypes to test UI decisions, transitions, and layout logic. This feature supports applying animations and simulating gestures to make the prototype feel more realistic.AI Integration
While the primary design tools of InVision do not explicitly integrate AI in their core functionalities, the broader context of design tools and workflows can benefit from AI-driven insights and automation. However, the specific AI-driven features mentioned in the context of InVision are not directly related to the design tools but rather to a different entity named Invision AI, which is focused on 3-D sensing and mobility applications using cameras and AI. This technology is not part of the InVision design tool suite.Additional Features
- Craft: This is a plugin that integrates with Sketch and Photoshop, allowing designers to create and prototype designs directly within these tools.
- Enterprise: This offers additional features and support for large-scale organizations, including advanced security, compliance, and scalability options.
InVision - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
InVision is known for its strong performance in prototyping, particularly in creating interactive and high-fidelity prototypes. Here are some aspects of its performance:Prototyping Capabilities
InVision excels in turning static design files into interactive prototypes, allowing designers to add interactions, animations, and transitions. This feature is crucial for simulating real-world user interactions and refining the user experience.Collaboration
While InVision supports collaborative feedback, its real-time design collaboration is not as robust as Figma’s. However, it still facilitates effective communication and feedback among design teams, stakeholders, and clients.Integration
InVision integrates well with other design tools, such as Sketch and Adobe XD, which enhances its prototyping process. However, its integrations are more focused on prototyping rather than comprehensive design work.Accuracy
The accuracy of InVision’s tools is largely tied to its ability to create realistic and interactive prototypes:User Testing
InVision’s prototyping capabilities allow designers to simulate user interactions and test user flows accurately. This helps in refining and perfecting the user journey, ensuring that the final product meets user expectations.Feedback Mechanism
The platform supports feedback mechanisms that enable designers to gather and incorporate feedback from stakeholders and clients accurately, which is essential for iterative design processes.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, InVision has some limitations:User-Friendly Interface
InVision can be less straightforward for new users to navigate compared to Figma. It has a steeper learning curve, which might hinder initial adoption and efficiency.Performance with Heavy Projects
InVision can sometimes be slower to load and less responsive with heavier projects, which can impact productivity.Customer Support
Users have reported slower response times from InVision’s customer support compared to Figma, which could be an area for improvement.Pricing
InVision’s paid plans can be more expensive, especially for larger teams needing advanced features. This might make it less accessible for smaller teams or individuals on a tight budget.Conclusion
InVision is a powerful tool in the design and prototyping space, particularly for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes. Its performance is strong in areas like prototyping and user testing, but it may require additional effort for new users to get accustomed to its interface. Addressing the limitations in user-friendliness, performance with heavy projects, and customer support could further enhance its overall performance and user satisfaction. InVision - Pricing and Plans
InVision offers a flexible pricing structure to cater to various needs and team sizes, particularly in the design tools and prototyping category. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing plans and the features included in each:
Free Plan
- This plan is free forever and does not require a credit card.
- It includes up to 3 Freehands, integration and platform access, unlimited public and private spaces, and support for up to 100 active users.
Pro Plan
- The Pro plan is priced at $4 per user per month when billed monthly, but it reduces to a lower rate if billed annually ($7.95 per user per month according to some sources, though this may vary).
- Features include integration and platform access, unlimited Freehands, unlimited public and private spaces, and support for up to 200 active users.
Enterprise Plan
- Pricing for the Enterprise plan is not publicly disclosed and requires contacting InVision directly for a quote.
- This plan includes advanced team management and security features, integration, unlimited active users, unlimited Freehands, and unlimited public and private spaces.
Additional Notes on InVision Studio
For those specifically interested in InVision Studio, which is part of the InVision suite:
- The free plan allows for one prototype with unlimited collaborators and screens. If you need more than one prototype, you get six days of free access to create unlimited prototypes before needing to upgrade.
Discounts and Negotiations
InVision offers discounts for long-term contracts and tiered pricing plans. Businesses can secure better pricing terms by committing to higher user tiers upfront or by running a competitive evaluation with alternative tools.
This structure allows small teams and individuals to start with the free plan, while larger teams and enterprises can opt for the more feature-rich Pro or Enterprise plans.
InVision - Integration and Compatibility
InVision Overview
InVision, a prominent visual collaboration platform, is well-integrated with a variety of tools and offers compatibility across different platforms and devices, making it a versatile choice for design teams.
Integrations with Design Tools
InVision integrates seamlessly with popular design tools such as Sketch and Photoshop. This allows users to upload design files directly from these tools, streamlining the design review process. For instance, you can import Sketch files into InVision, enabling easy collaboration and feedback collection without the need to switch between applications.
Collaboration and Feedback
InVision facilitates collaboration by allowing users to share works with team members and clients for feedback. It supports features like commenting directly on design files, creating tasks and to-do lists, and viewing design iterations and revisions. This ensures that all stakeholders can engage with the design process effectively.
Microsoft Teams Integration
InVision has an app for Microsoft Teams, which enhances team collaboration further. With this integration, you can create, view, edit, and comment on documents directly from the app. Additionally, you can add InVision document links to Microsoft Teams for easy access, making it simpler to manage design projects within a unified workspace.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
InVision is a web-based platform, which means it can be accessed from any device with a web browser. This cross-platform compatibility ensures that designers and stakeholders can collaborate and access design files from anywhere, whether they are using a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
Real-Time Collaboration
InVision supports real-time collaboration through features like Freehand, a digital whiteboard tool. This allows teams to brainstorm and work on ideas together in real-time, regardless of their physical location. The platform also enables the handoff of design specs to developers, ensuring a smooth transition from design to development.
Conclusion
In summary, InVision’s integration with various design tools, its compatibility across different platforms, and its real-time collaboration features make it a highly effective tool for design teams looking to streamline their workflow and enhance collaboration.
InVision - Customer Support and Resources
InVision Customer Support
Customer Support Options
- Phone Support: You can contact InVision’s customer service using their toll-free number, (877) 932-7111, for immediate assistance with technical questions, account inquiries, or other issues.
- Email Support: InVision provides multiple email addresses for different types of inquiries, including customer service, legal, privacy, and media-related questions.
- Ticket System: For technical support, users can submit tickets through the client area, which is staffed 24 hours a day for critical problems. This system ensures that issues are addressed promptly even outside regular business hours.
- Support Forum: InVision has a support forum where users can find answers to common questions, share knowledge, and get help from the community and support staff.
Additional Resources
- Help Center: InVision offers a comprehensive help center that includes guides, tutorials, and FAQs to help users resolve common issues and learn how to use the platform effectively.
- Knowledge Base: While not explicitly mentioned for InVision, the general practice in such platforms often includes a knowledge base with detailed guides and troubleshooting tips. However, for InVision, the support forum and help center serve similar purposes.
- Video Tutorials and Guides: InVision provides resources like blog posts and guides on how to use its features, such as building interactive prototypes, utilizing design systems, and managing projects. These resources are available on their blog and within the platform.
- Design Systems and Libraries: InVision supports the creation and management of design systems and libraries, which include reusable components, design patterns, and guidelines. This helps in maintaining consistency across projects and ensures all team members are working with the same assets.
Collaboration and Project Management Tools
- Project Management: InVision allows users to manage their projects through features like the Details tab, where screens can be arranged and assigned, and the Activity tab, which helps track project progress. Users can set due dates, use color labels, and create to-do lists for feedback and requirements.
- Client Presentations: The InVision Tours feature enables users to take stakeholders on virtual tours of their prototypes, presenting the UX and features of the project. This tool supports drag-and-drop functionality and integration with services like Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox.
InVision - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Effective Communication and Feedback
InVision excels as a communication and feedback tool, allowing users to upload and update their projects directly. Clients and team members can leave comments on the design, making the feedback process more efficient and accurate.Team Collaboration
It is highly valued for its collaboration features, enabling teams to create high-fidelity prototypes quickly using screens, hotspots, and triggers. The platform also includes moodboards for gathering inspiration and presenting design versions for review and feedback.Organizational Capabilities
InVision serves as a comprehensive organizational tool, allowing users to manage all their projects on a single screen. It integrates well with Sketch via the Craft plugin, making it efficient for updating designs and organizing screens within prototypes.Prototyping and Inspection
The tool is praised for its prototyping capabilities and the inspect mode, which allows developers to easily dissect a screen to obtain the specs needed for coding the frontend. This feature is particularly useful for frontend developers.User-Friendly Interface
InVision is known for its user-friendly interface and minimal learning curve, making it accessible for both novices and professionals. The integration with other design tools like Sketch and Photoshop is seamless, enhancing the overall workflow.Disadvantages
Browser-Based Limitations
One of the significant drawbacks is that InVision requires users to work in the browser and upload their designs, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, special characters and diacritics in filenames are ignored, disrupting the automatic sorting of screens.Artboard Management
Some users find managing artboards within InVision challenging, which can slow down the design process. This issue can be particularly frustrating for those working on complex projects.Limited Design Features
While InVision is excellent for prototyping and collaboration, it lacks extensive design features. Users often have to rely on other tools for the actual design work, which can be inconvenient.Lack of Significant Updates
There has been a lack of significant updates and improvements to the platform recently, which can limit its appeal over time. This stagnation might make users consider alternative tools that are more actively developed.High Cost
The cost of using InVision can be prohibitive, especially for individual consultants or contractors. There is also a monthly fee to archive projects if a user decides to stop paying, which can add up over time. By weighing these pros and cons, users can make an informed decision about whether InVision aligns with their specific needs and workflow requirements. InVision - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing InVision to Other Design Tools
When comparing InVision to other design tools in the AI-driven product category, several key aspects and unique features come into play.Core Features of InVision
InVision is a powerful prototyping and animation tool that allows users to create advanced, vector-based screen designs quickly. It offers features such as:- Creating interactive prototypes without coding.
- Real-time collaboration and feedback integration.
- Responsive design capabilities and infinite canvas.
- Advanced animation tools, including swipe triggers for parallax animations and linking multiple artboards into one animation.
- Integration with other InVision tools like InVision Cloud and InVision DSM for comprehensive design workflow management.
Unique Features
One of the standout features of InVision is its ability to mirror prototypes to your phone, allowing for real-time testing on mobile devices. Additionally, it supports Sketch-like shortcuts and has a user-friendly interface with light and dark themes.Competitors and Alternatives
Figma
Figma is a popular alternative to InVision, known for its real-time collaboration features and cloud-based design capabilities. It offers similar functionalities to InVision, including interactive prototyping, design system integration, and version control. Figma is particularly strong in its collaborative features, allowing multiple users to work on a project simultaneously.Adobe XD
Adobe XD is another significant competitor, offering a range of features such as real-time collaboration, design system integration, and advanced prototyping tools. It integrates well with other Adobe products, making it a strong choice for those already within the Adobe ecosystem. Adobe XD also includes AI-powered tools like Adobe Firefly, which helps generate creative ideas and refine designs efficiently.Uizard
Uizard is an AI-driven design tool that transforms sketches into digital prototypes quickly. It features an Autodesigner that can generate screens, themes, and images, and a focus predictor to identify attention hotspots on design screens. Uizard is particularly useful for those transitioning from InVision, as it offers AI-powered assistants to swap out text and images easily.Miro
Miro is a collaborative design tool that focuses on whiteboarding and visual collaboration. While it may not offer the same level of prototyping features as InVision, it excels in real-time collaboration and is versatile for various design and brainstorming tasks. Miro integrates well with other tools and offers a range of templates and customization options.Emerging Trends and Features
Real-time Collaboration
Many competitors, including Figma, Adobe XD, and Miro, emphasize real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together seamlessly from different locations.Design System Integration
Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and InVision itself focus on integrating comprehensive design systems to ensure consistency across projects.Augmented Prototyping
Some platforms are now offering augmented prototyping capabilities, enabling designers to create more interactive and immersive experiences. This trend is seen in tools that aim to enhance user testing and validation.Accessibility Features
There is a growing emphasis on building accessibility features into design tools to ensure inclusivity. This is a key consideration for teams aiming to create designs that cater to diverse audiences.Cost and Value
The costs of these tools vary based on features, team size, and subscription plans. Here’s a general breakdown:- Free plans typically offer basic prototyping and limited storage.
- Personal plans ($5-$25/user/month) provide unlimited projects and basic collaboration tools.
- Business plans ($25-$50/user/month) include advanced collaboration, design system integration, and enhanced security.
- Enterprise plans ($50-$100/user/month) offer custom workflows, dedicated support, and comprehensive analytics.
InVision - Frequently Asked Questions
What is InVision and what are its main features?
InVision is a comprehensive design and prototyping tool that offers several key features. It includes InVision Studio, a design tool for creating vector graphics and pixel-level designs with layers, animation features, and timeline editing. Other components include InVision Cloud for storing and sharing design workflows, InVision Freehand for collaborative brainstorming, InVision Specs for design handoff, InVision DSM (Design System Manager) for managing brand and UX components, and InVision Craft for integrating design tools into Sketch and Photoshop.
How much does InVision cost?
InVision offers various pricing plans. The Pro plan is priced at $9.95 per user per month, or $7.95 per user per month if billed annually. There is also a free plan that includes up to 100 active users, 3 Freehands, and unlimited public and private spaces. For larger businesses, the Enterprise plan pricing is not disclosed and requires contacting InVision directly. Discounts are available for long-term contracts and higher user tiers.
What are the key tools within the InVision suite?
The InVision suite includes several key tools:
- InVision Studio: A prototyping and animation tool for creating high-fidelity designs.
- InVision Cloud: A platform for connecting, storing, and sharing the complete product design workflow.
- InVision DSM: A design system manager and library for storing and controlling brand and UX components.
- InVision Freehand: A tool for collaborative brainstorming and idea generation.
- InVision Specs: A feature for design handoff, helping developers understand the design specifications.
- InVision Craft: A set of plugins integrating design tools into Sketch and Photoshop.
How do I create a new project in InVision?
To create a new project in InVision, start by clicking the “Create New Project” button in the top right corner of the dashboard. You can then upload the necessary assets such as images and videos. Next, create screens for your prototype by dragging and dropping elements from the asset library onto the canvas. Link the screens together to create a flow using the “Link” tool. Finally, test your prototype by clicking the “Preview” button to interact with it and gather user feedback.
Can I integrate InVision with other software and tools?
Yes, InVision can be integrated with various software and tools. You can integrate InVision prototypes with web applications, mobile applications, desktop applications, and third-party APIs and services. This integration allows for seamless collaboration and the ability to share prototypes with team members and stakeholders for real-time feedback.
How does InVision support responsive design and accessibility?
InVision supports responsive design by allowing you to create breakpoints to define how the design will look on different screen sizes. You can adjust design elements to fit various screen sizes and preview the design to ensure it looks as intended on different devices. For accessibility, InVision provides features such as adding alternative text to images, adjusting color contrast, and adding keyboard shortcuts. It also includes testing tools for automated and manual accessibility testing.
Can I use InVision on multiple operating systems?
Yes, InVision Studio can be used on both Mac and Windows systems. Additionally, you can import Sketch files into InVision Studio, making it versatile for designers using different platforms.
What kind of collaboration features does InVision offer?
InVision offers several collaboration features. You can share prototypes with team members and stakeholders for real-time feedback. The platform allows multiple users to collaborate on designs simultaneously, and it includes features like unlimited public and private spaces for different plans. This facilitates effective communication and collaboration throughout the design process.
How does InVision help with prototyping and testing?
InVision is a powerful prototyping tool that allows you to create interactive elements quickly. You can create high-fidelity prototypes with animations, transitions, and gestures. The platform also includes a preview feature to test the prototype, and you can gather feedback from users to make necessary changes. For debugging and troubleshooting, you can identify issues, determine their causes, and make adjustments to resolve them.
Are there any discounts or special pricing options available for InVision?
Yes, InVision offers discounts for long-term contracts and higher user tiers. Annual billing for the Pro plan reduces the cost per user. Additionally, running a competitive evaluation with alternatives and committing to higher user tiers upfront can help secure better pricing terms.
InVision - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of InVision in the Design Tools AI-Driven Product Category
InVision is a comprehensive and versatile design collaboration platform that leverages AI-driven features to enhance the UI/UX design process. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and who would benefit most from using it:Key Benefits
AI-Driven Tools
InVision’s tools, such as Smart Alignment and Snap-to-Grid, ensure that designs are structured and organized, reducing the guesswork in creating polished designs.
Interactive Prototyping
InVision allows users to create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes that mimic real products, facilitating effective communication and feedback between designers, clients, and team members.
Collaboration
The platform offers robust collaboration features, including real-time editing, feedback mechanisms, and asset management. This makes it easier for teams to work together seamlessly and for clients to provide direct feedback on designs.
User Testing
InVision’s user testing capabilities enable designers to gather real-time feedback from users, which is crucial for iterating and improving designs based on actual user behavior.
Asset Management
InVision Sync and the Assets section within prototypes help in managing and updating design assets efficiently, ensuring that all team members have the latest versions.
Who Would Benefit Most
Designers and Creative Professionals
InVision is particularly beneficial for designers and creative professionals involved in graphic design, web design, user experience design, and product design. It streamlines the design process, enhances collaboration, and facilitates feedback.
Product Managers and Developers
Product managers and developers can use InVision to streamline the product development process, gather feedback, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Startups and Small Businesses
These entities can leverage InVision’s user-friendly interface and affordable pricing to quickly create prototypes, validate ideas, and iterate on designs.
Enterprise Clients
Large enterprises benefit from InVision’s advanced features, security protocols, and scalability, which are essential for managing complex design workflows.
Industries and Sectors
InVision caters to a wide range of industries, including tech companies, marketing and advertising agencies, financial services, retail and e-commerce, and healthcare. Each of these sectors can utilize InVision’s tools to improve their design processes and user experience.
Overall Recommendation
InVision is highly recommended for anyone involved in UI/UX design, product development, and design collaboration. Its AI-driven features, interactive prototyping capabilities, and robust collaboration tools make it an indispensable asset for both individual designers and large organizations. While it may lack some robust design features, its strengths in prototyping, collaboration, and user testing make it a valuable tool in the design toolkit.
However, it’s worth noting that InVision may not be ideal for those looking for a standalone design tool, as it is more focused on prototyping and collaboration rather than the initial design work. Additionally, the cost can be a factor, especially for individual consultants or contractors.
In summary, InVision is a powerful ally for anyone looking to enhance their design collaboration, prototyping, and user testing processes, making it a valuable addition to any design workflow.