I’m working on an interface design for a Windows application that incorporates a spreadsheet-style metaphor as a quick means of creating database records. I typically use Microsoft’s Visio or the Omni Group’s Omnigraffle Pro to create paper prototypes and wireframes. After the wireframes/prototypes are complete, I turn the documents over to our interaction designer who then puts the finishing touches on the interactions buy building a working prototype in Visual Studio or VisualBasic.
I’m an avid Mac user, and because of that I’ve missed out on learning the full ins-and-outs of many of the prototyping and Windows interface design tools. Our ID has been on vacation for the last week, incidentally the same week that Apple released its update to the iWork productivity suite.
This may not be news to the Windows users in the audience who have used Access and Excel to as prototyping tools, but knowing that I can quickly design the nuts and bolts of this interface — including some rudimentary interactions — without knowing anything about VB or VDS, and without touching Windows-based tools — feels like a revelation.
