What is Adobe XD ?
Adobe XD is a design tool specifically created for creating UX and UI prototypes. Designed for web designers, this tool from the Adobe Suite comes with numerous features that allow you to design web interfaces: ergonomic management, mockup creation for all types of devices (responsive design management), graphic element integration, animation addition, and more.
Beyond mockup design, Adobe XD enables you to make the prototype interactive by incorporating animations and interactions. The aim is to allow UX and UI designers to envision the upcoming web platform closely and thus collaborate better with developers.
Tool Features
UX & UI Mockups
Adobe XD is primarily a tool designed for design. Many features and tools integrated into Adobe XD will allow you to create all types of web mockups.
Design
Although the tool does not offer design features as advanced as those in tools like Photoshop or After Effects, you will still have everything you need to create beautiful mockups. The view of design here mainly relies on elements of web design. You will find features dedicated to optimizing elements such as:
- your buttons: manage sizes, shapes, colors, appearance based on the button state (clicked / not clicked / hovered / inactive)
- your typography: manage sizes, width, letter spacing, line spacing, etc.
- your backgrounds: manage color, opacity, accessibility, juxtaposition of elements, and their position within the mockup
- your components: create easily duplicable and modifiable web elements from a single component.
- your icons: integrate your icons, modify their appearance, maintain a visual library, etc.
- your design system: create and easily evolve the design system for your projects
Animated Prototypes
Once your mockups are completed, Adobe XD allows you to bring them to life by adding all possible interactions. The goal is to get as close as possible to the future web platform and project oneself as a real user. For example, you will be able to interact with the buttons, test your animations, and immerse yourself in the future product.
There are several advantages to this:
- A way to test the user experience
- Test the coherence of the design and UI
- A means to test the internal linking of the website
- A way to be as accurate as possible in the design
- Better handoff of the mockups to development teams
Advantages
The tool is compatible with all tools in the Adobe Suite. You can easily create animations with After Effects, edit your visuals in Photoshop, and then integrate everything into your Adobe XD mockups.
Disadvantages
Unlike tools like Figma, collaboration on Adobe XD remains quite limited. This can be a significant drawback, especially when working on the same web project with design, marketing, or client teams.
