prototyping

This talk is a prototype.

Thank you to :: Keith Turner, Nathan Verrill, Mathias Crawford, Ollie Kavanagh, Natalie Fletcher

Kat Kavanagh@kassy4

http://thisiscapra.com

Sunday, 27 October 13



Hello!


Defined.A prototype is an early sample, model or release of a product built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from. It is a term used in a variety of contexts,

including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming.

-wikipedia


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_prototyping

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_prototyping

In cognitive science Cognitively we reason using imagination, past

experiences to define how we view the world. We use prototypes to help us define how we

think about things. But that means that the view the world is inherently distorted by prototypes.


A good design is better than you

think.-Rex Heftman

“Sunday, 27 October 13

Prototypes efficiently answer designers’* most important questions in the least

amount of time.

My definition


A prototype is not...


Product centric.


The Role

Look & Feel

Implementation

Houde & Hill


Vis

ual F

idel

ity

Functional Fidelity

Sketches

Paper wireframes

Paper design comps

Image mapped comps

Rich comp prototype

Production ready ‘prototype’

Interactive wireframes

Rich interactive wireframesProof of

concept prototype

Image mapped sketches


There is no such thing as high or low

fidelity, only appropriate fidelity.

- Bill Buxton


But why?


Scale

ClayWire

Paper


The Role

Look & Feel

Implementation

Houde & Hill Sunday, 27 October 13

Mathias Crawford, Game designerTheorist, game nerd

Nathan Verrill, DirectorBig dreamer, user experience junkie

Kat Kavanagh, Interface designerPixel pusher, product champion and mediator

Mark Borcherding, DeveloperDevil’s advocate, perfectionist

Keith Turner, DeveloperLogical master, method maker

The ‘other devs’







Rol

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Rol

eLo

ok








Rol

eLo

okIm

plem

enta

tion



Remote team


PLAYTEST


Why different typesof prototypes?


By prototyping isolated interactions at a high functional fidelity and

testing them with users, I can get really good data about whether that interaction works before I base an

application around it….

-Fred Beecher


http://boxesandarrows.com/author/fred_beecher/

http://boxesandarrows.com/author/fred_beecher/

The Role

Look & Feel

Implementation

Integrated


Remote prototyping• It is HARD.

• Try out new tools

• Maintain excellent communication

• Have project owners

• Assign roles, and swap them when appropriate


We’re convinced already!


Iteration is actually expensive

• Can’t necessarily reuse code

• End up with a messy disjointed product

• If over 50% of your code is for your interface, then...


dev + design + business


Do you have a methodology?


Scientific method


Desired Outcome Model1. Who wants it?

2. What’s wanted?

3. What does it get them?

4. How will they know when they have it?

5. What stops them from having it?

6. What problems could having it cause?

7. What must they do to achieve their desired outcome?


BackplanStart with the desired outcome.

Milestone 3Milestone 2Milestone 1


Wing it! But...


Wing it! But...

• Timebox tasks


Wing it! But...

• Timebox tasks

• Discuss take-away points


Wing it! But...

• Timebox tasks


• Have a curator


Wing it! But...

• Timebox tasks


• Have a curator

• Icebox most of the ideas


ON ICE.


Requests & Agreements

Making Requests

Clarify the wantWho wants it?What is wanted?What does it get them?How will they know when they have it?

Make the requestWho is asking?Who is being asked?What do I want you to do?How will I know it is done?By when?

Responding to Requests

Consider the requestAre you clear what is being asked?Do you know the criteria for satisfaction?(What is the minimum required (demanded), what is the ideal (desired)?What context got us here?When does it need to be done by?

Make the requestPromise, Decline, CounterofferCommit to commit (When I get more info, I’ll get back to you by x date), Renegotiate


Are you AGILE?


Tools should make everything easy.


When does prototyping fail?


Fail.


Fail.• Trying to do too much



• Fidelity is wrong for what you’re testing




• Too many assumptions





• Prototype things too late






• Inability to let go of preconceived ideas






• Inability to let go of preconceived ideas

• Test only experts or new users


Doing, not seeing!It’s your turn...


The Role

Look & Feel

Implementation


Keep in mind• Test one thing: the issue you think is the

most complex

• Keep fidelity low

• Let go of preconceived ideas

• Test ‘in-context’

• Test with both expert and new users in mind


Okay... Go!


Presenting...


Dan + Anna + Me


I think we all agree prototyping should

be part of your plan.


But, how to sell prototyping time to your boss as part of your work process?


Boss cheat sheet


1. Best way to get complete logical interaction loops that make sense (especially for complex interactions)

Boss cheat sheet



2. Whittles out shit ideas

Boss cheat sheet




3. Gets everyone on board and understanding what will be happening early on (I see! with testing to confirm it!)

Boss cheat sheet





4. Can iterate through 10 concepts in a week

Boss cheat sheet





4. Can iterate through 10 concepts in a week

5. Can address risks and problems early on before they become dangerous for the business

Boss cheat sheet


Go forth and Prototype!

Iteration is expensive....


@kassy4http://thisiscapra.comThank you.


prototyping

Design

game designer theorist

game nerdnathan verrill

developer devils advocate

developer logical master

product champion

perfectionistkeith turner

method maker

mediatormark borcherding