Prototypes

Key Points

• Test and explore design concepts using low fidelity methods.

What are they and Why use them

Prototyping is a method that allows ideas to be quickly tested to illustrate a concept and look for areas of improvement. Doing so can provide early insight into the design process and allow for various concepts to be explored before investing a lot of time and money into a project. The prototypes themselves also can be low fidelity, that is they are made up of basic elements to represent the idea, and be either physical or digital. Physical prototypes could be comprised, but not limited to, hand drawings, modelling clay, cardboard mock-ups, 3D printed mock-ups or anything that allows you to investigate and experiment with ideas. Digital prototypes could be plug and play electronic components and simple digital sketches.

When to use them

Prototypes can be generated from the initial idea of a product, through to validation, with the only difference being the level of fidelity in the design. For example, when developing a new health application for a mobile phone, a low-fidelity prototype, made of wireframe sketches, can be useful. It could provide the layout of pages, information you want users to have, and how the pages interact allowing yourself and others to test ideas and find solutions to problems. However, some evaluations, such as validating software or mechanical behaviour in a system, require a much higher fidelity system to be developed. For example, when developing a new instrument for surgery the ergonomics may only be able to be understood once you have a high-fidelity 3D printed part with components inside to test for balance, stability, and usability.

How to use them

Prototyping is about doing, rather than pondering on how to do something. There are no rules as to how to prototype or what materials you should use. However, the level of fidelity of the prototype should continue to increase as requirements are met and further and more robust evaluation is undertaken.

Pros

Prototypes are generally quick to build and evaluate. They allow for ideas to be made and tested.

Cons

Can be difficult to demonstrate ideas (especially for low fidelity prototypes) to other team members.

Points to ponder

• Can you test this feature easily with a low-fidelity prototype?
• Does this prototype provide enough detail to test my ideas?