My Process for Turning a Blank Canvas into a Working Prototype in 24 Hours
A look into my process for rapidly moving from a brief to a functional prototype in 24 hours, focusing on clarity, direction, and momentum by reducing friction and using the right tools and mindset.
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How I Use AI to Build Faster, Think Deeper, and Stay Human
AI is a core part of my workflow, acting as a multiplier for skill, not a replacement. I use it to get to the good stuff faster, remove friction, and enhance creative thinking, all while keeping human judgment at the center.
Not every project needs a sprint team, three rounds of stakeholder alignment, and a six-week timeline. Sometimes, the goal is clarity. Direction. Momentum.
That's where I thrive.
"It's not about rushing, it's about reducing friction."
Over the years, I've developed a process that lets me turn a blank brief into a functional prototype in 24 hours or less. Using the right tools, the right mindset, and a tight loop between idea and execution.
Here's How It Works
1. Clarify the Core Idea
Everything starts with one sharp question: What are we trying to prove, test, or feel?
In this first phase, I'm not building, I'm reducing. Stripping the idea down to its essentials. Who's the user? What do they need to understand or do? What's the moment of value?
This step takes an hour, max. No slides. Just focused conversation and notes.
2. Set Boundaries
Scope is everything. I define clear limits:
- What must be included?
- What can be stubbed or mocked?
- What can we ignore, for now?
"Constraints sharpen creativity. Without them, speed becomes noise."
3. Use AI & Boilerplates to Scaffold
Once direction is clear, I bring in my tools: custom boilerplates, component libraries, and AI-assisted scaffolding. Whether it's Next.js, Firebase, Tailwind, or a headless CMS, I start with pre-built patterns that I trust and can move quickly with.
AI helps accelerate structure, layouts, schema, form logic, naming conventions, so I can focus on the hard parts.
4. Build the Interaction Layer First
I always begin with what the user feels. Even if the backend is mocked, even if data is static, users should be able to click, move, flow through something that feels real. Because once they feel it, they can respond to it.
From there, I layer in real logic piece by piece.
5. Polish Just Enough
At this stage, it's about clarity, not perfection. Design is clean but minimal. Copy is intentional but draft-level. The point is to create something functional enough to demo, test, or pitch, without wasting time on pixel-pushing.
Why This Works
"The 24-hour prototype isn't a final product, it's a decision-making tool. Something to see, touch, and talk about." Leantonio Nelson
This process works because it's built on experience. I've already worked as the designer, developer, strategist, and director. I know where time is often wasted, and where it's worth leaning in.
And sometimes, that's exactly what moves a project forward.
If you need to validate a concept, align stakeholders, or explore direction without months of build time, I can help you move from idea to interface in a single day.