Although lately my main tool for creating prototypes has been Axure, I have also used Balsamiq, Sketch, Powerpoint, pen and paper, and does anyone remember iRise? The choice of tool and the choice of fidelity depends on many variables:
- Intent: exploring an idea with imaginative stakeholders, demonstrating functionality to the development team, or perfecting a concept with users before dropping into development?
- Trust and experience: have we all worked together for a while, or are we a new team?
- Do we already have a developed visual style guide or do we need to set a standard?
The prototype stimulates discussion and revision, leading to deeper understanding of needs for all. Rarely have I taken a prototype to the level of a fully working demonstration of all features of a web application or site; typically building the site in code can commence after a certain amount of discussion. On this site are some samples, in the state at which they were left once they were no longer needed.