I'm currently in the process of designing a web application. While writing up the specification, I kept wondering how I was going to design the user interface without resorting to the use of a pencil and eraser. Seriously, what kind of software developer uses a pencil and eraser these days. It's probably been about 10 years since I've last laid eyes on an eraser.

It was then that I came across tweets annoucing that Scott Hanselman has managed to update his tool list. Yes, Scott the Tool Man has updated his list of useful tools. This was where I came across two tools for prototyping, ie. SketchFlow and Balsamiq. I checked out Balsamiq first, due to its strange name and also because it sounded vaguely familiar.

Balsamiq

I must say that Balsamiq was pretty cool. You get to very quickly create a mockup of your software UI design from predrawn graphics. The graphics are sweet as well. They all look like attempts by someone to draw web graphics using Microsoft Paint. But they're all nicely done and will give a lively feel to your prototype.

And the great thing about it is that you can share your artistic masterpiece with other people online or by taking a snapshot of your mockup.

SketchFlow

SketchFlow is similar to Balsamiq. It is actually a part of Microsoft Expression Blend 3. The following demonstration gives a fairly good overview of what Sketchflow can do. You get to relive your second childhood as it allows you to make line drawings a la Microsoft Paint style. SketchFlow also allows you to insert animations, navigate through your design and share it with others either online or via a Microsoft Word Document that is automatically generated from your design.

To learn more, you can download all related SketchFlow training material here. You can download a 60 day free trial of Microsoft Expression Blend + SketchFlow here.