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Prototyping Phase – Complete Guide to Design Thinking

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:34 am
by shukla7789
When all the empathy and definition- related tasks in the design thinking process are complete, it is time for the next important step, in which all ideas must find their first visible form. The prototyping and testing phases are often identified as a single step, but they should be carried out as two distinct steps. Prototyping itself is generally cost-effective, time-efficient, and cost-effective.

Prototyping stage – index
What is prototyping?
How to prepare before prototyping?
Tools used in the prototyping stage
Advantages of prototyping for design thinking
Prototype presentation
What is prototyping?
This type of activity is considered to be thinking with your hands. It does not bolivia whatsapp number database much time for this process and it should be assumed that for any given project many prototypes will have to be created. The prototyper should not feel any form of emotional attachment to his creation – prototyping is the stage where changes and improvements are constantly being made. It is often difficult to meet the expectations we have for our prototype on the first try, so work on the project has to be repeated several times.

It should be remembered to keep some of the creative resources for future application and not to use them all in one, usually, first prototype. It should be noted that prototypes can be created for any type of object or resource – both for products and services.

Service prototypes should reflect in their design all the possible emotions and feelings that the potential user should experience.

Product prototypes do not need to be fully functional. A nearly functional model or mockup is sufficient to verify its attractiveness to the potential user.

How to prepare before prototyping?
Some of the solutions created during the prototyping stage may not be appropriate for our clients, so constant modifications and improvements are necessary to give the design team a better understanding of user needs.

To create an effective prototype:

set up the workplace
find a space that stimulates creativity
bring all necessary materials
motivate and support your team
make a concept map
choose the forms of your actions with your team
Each stage of prototyping can be filmed and photographed for future reference – the values ​​that emerge during the prototyping stage can be retained and presented later to a wider audience when needed.

A step by step guide to design thinking — prototyping
Tools used in the prototyping stage
Any materials or resources are acceptable at this stage of prototyping. There are no hard and fast rules for the style we choose for our creative design. Despite the above, the most common prototyping methods include:

wireframe – is a graphic model of the website construction, presenting its layout, the general structure and the relationships between all the interface elements.
Sketches and diagrams – even rudimentary sketches can be used to present our creations. Simplified technical drawings of our ideas are also acceptable.
storyboard – is nothing more than a script in the form of a collection of drawings, it is used to present scenes in films. The drawings are accompanied by notes, captions and descriptions for better understanding of the content.
Role-playing – can be done using a previously created storyboard. The design team explores the scenarios and simulates the experiences, which can then be presented to potential users. Role-playing can also take place in virtual or augmented reality.
mockup – sometimes called: dummy or maquette. A mockup is a physical model or visual representation of the product (in the case of website design, this could be a simplified website or app).
There are several tools that can be used for prototyping, so our design efforts should be saved (filmed or photographed) for future reference. Carefully selecting the most suitable shapes for our project seems to be equally important.

Advantages of prototyping for design thinking
Each prototyping method has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when selecting design tools. These tools strongly influence all subsequent actions of the design team. In addition, great attention should be paid to the advantages and disadvantages of prototyping. Among the advantages of prototyping are:

prototyping allows for a quick and visual presentation of the final effect
prototyping facilitates the exchange of information – it helps with evaluation and allows us to quickly get feedback on our prototype
mockups give the user the chance to formulate their own ideas and suggestions, there is no worry that some of the mockups will have to be discarded after the prototyping stage
Detailed prototypes of specific service features help with design modifications, but they also enhance creativity and draw designers’ attention to unexpected new features of already designed products. Some of the findings from the prototyping stage can be used to benefit a variety of creative projects.
Prototype presentation
The prototype presentation should take place immediately after the design has been created and should be carried out in a friendly and trusting environment. The presentation should integrate all the important values ​​that were present during the creative design procedure of the prototype. The client should be spoken to directly while the entire process should reflect the formal character of the operation.