“Alexa, Open Adobe XD”: Introducing XD’s Integration with Amazon Alexa
A Voice prototype developed in Adobe XD is exported and previewed in real time on the Amazon Echo Show.
Today, we’re excited to introduce a new way to prototype voice experiences using Adobe XD and Amazon Alexa. These new tools let you export and preview voice prototypes on any Alexa-enabled device, such as the Echo Dot or Echo Show, and builds on XD’s existing voice prototyping capabilities introduced at MAX 2018. Additionally, included as part of this integration is the launch of the Adobe XD skill for Alexa, the first-ever Alexa skill built by Adobe.
Voice technologies like Amazon Alexa have improved dramatically in the past few years and are now embedded in all sorts of devices – from home speakers to cars to TVs and beyond. The adoption of voice-enabled devices is staggering and continues to rise each year, increasing nearly 40% in 2018 to more than 133 million smart speakers in the U.S. Additionally, the growing popularity of smart speakers is driving awareness and adoption of voice services on other devices like smartphones, televisions, and in-car navigation systems. Voice is emerging as the next major human-to-computer medium of interaction, thanks to the fact that it’s simple to use and can remove tedious friction.
As voice becomes even more ubiquitous, designers need more ways to incorporate voice into their processes to create experiences that leverage this new medium. Today’s announcement introduces a new way to prototype voice experiences using Adobe XD and Amazon Alexa, including:
The Amazon Alexa XD plugin
The Amazon Alexa XD plugin lets you export prototypes to Alexa, giving you an easy way to preview Adobe XD prototypes on an Alexa device. Experiencing your prototypes on real devices can help your clients or stakeholders better understand and experience your vision. Plus, by having voice prototypes readily available on an Alexa-enabled device, you can have more design-focused conversations about your Alexa skills and iterate without having to go through full product development cycles.
The Adobe XD skill for Alexa
The Adobe XD skill allows you to access and interact with your prototypes via an Alexa-enabled device like an Amazon Echo. The Adobe XD skill for Alexa is the first ever Alexa skill built by Adobe. To get started, install the Amazon Alexa plugin via the XD Plugin Manager, then enable the Adobe XD skill through the Alexa Skills Store online, or through the Alexa app.
“It’s our goal to provide designers, developers, and creators with the support they need to build great voice experiences with the tools they are familiar with,” says Paul Cutsinger, Head of Voice Design Education, Amazon. “We’re excited to work with Adobe to help Adobe XD designers more easily prototype their Alexa skill experiences, and give their vision a voice.”
You can find links to the new skill and plugin download here:
We’ve also created a quick guide for how to work with voice prototypes on an Alexa-enabled device.
Have other ideas for voice features in XD? Our team is always listening. Head over to Adobe XD Feedback on UserVoice and let us know what you’re thinking.