Prototypes

Question 1

What is a prototype?

Answer 1

• “Mock-up” or “simulation”
• The original/model on which something is based on
• For stakeholders to explore usability
• Will only ever show part of the product

Question 2

What is the purpose of a prototype?

Answer 2

• To problem-solve — easier with something concrete on hand
• To communicate — same as above
• To fail quick and cheap — commit as few resources as possible
• To test possibilities
• To manage the solution-building process

Question 3

What forms can prototypes take?

Answer 3

• Series of sketches
• Storyboard
• Slideshow
• Video simulating use of a system
• Hardware in any material (e.g. wood and Styrofoam)

Question 4

What are some pitfalls in prototyping?

Answer 4

• Diving into the first good idea
• Spending too much time and effort on prototypes
• Wasting time explaining and pitching
• Prototyping without a purpose

Question 5

What are sketches?

Answer 5

• Type of prototype
• Visual medium for design to communicate ideas
• “To put things on paper”

Question 6

What is the purpose of sketches?

Answer 6

• Innovation
• Inviting inputs
• Making suggestions
• Exploring possibilities
• Asking questions

Question 7

What are some characteristics of sketches?

Answer 7

• Large in quantity
• Inexpensive and abundant
• Simple to produce
• Sketchy

Question 8

What forms can sketches take?

Answer 8

• Storyboards –Sequence of frames describing overall flow
• Wireframes – Simple line structures showing general layout of components

Question 9

What is fidelity?

Answer 9

• Amount of functionality, details, and performance relative to product
• Low, medium, or high

Question 10

What stages should different levels of fidelity prototypes belong in?

Answer 10

• LFPs: early design for brainstorming and rough interface
• MFPs: fine tune interface or design, or re-design
• HFPs: evaluation and testing

Question 11

What is meant by breadth (horizontal) prototypes?

Answer 11

Broad features but limited functionalities

Question 12

What is meant by depth (vertical) prototypes?

Answer 12

Deep functionalities but limited features

Question 13

What are the pros and cons of LFPs?

Answer 13

Pros:
- Communicate high-level concepts
- Easy to generate
- Easy to change
Cons:
- Hard to envision dynamics
- Can give an unfinished impressions
- Doesn’t actually work

Question 14

What are the pros and cons of HFPs?

Answer 14

Pros
- Realistic
- Detailed evaluation and feedback
- Can be used for pitching
Cons
- Time and effort
- Time-consuming changes
- Other parties may think product is done