PrototypingMethod

Prototyping is an experimental process where design teams implement ideas into tangible forms. Teams build prototypes of varying degrees of fidelity to capture design concepts and test with users. With prototypes, you can refine and validate your designs so you can be more sure you release the right products.

Start by crafting a simple experimental model of your proposed product so you can check how well it matches what users want through the feedback they give. You should consider prototyping from early on—using paper prototyping, if appropriate—so the feedback you gather from users can help guide development.

Interaction Design Foundation

Steps

1. Determine what you need your prototype to accomplish. What moments in the experience do you need to gather more information on?
2. Determine the modality of your prototype. Can you answer your product and experience questions with a simple paper prototype, or do you need to be able to click through scenarios on a device? If the latter, can you click through PDFs or a Figma file, or will you need to mock up your prototype in HTML?
3. Determine the fidelity of your prototype based on what you need to learn. Fidelity ranges from low-fidelity (often inexpensive), to high-fidelity, which simulates a greater range of functionality, but often takes more time (and more money).
4. Build and run your prototype according to purpose, modality, and fidelity you've sketched out.