Photo by Sebastien Bonneval
Creating toys, furniture, mobile apps and more, all designers are talking about prototypes. You may sometimes think it is a waste of time or money. You will hear that something will obviously work, or that it is too early to build a prototype. Issues discovered early are not a problem, but too late it can be very costly.
In the realm of physical product creation, early prototyping stands as an indispensable tool. While sketches and 3D models offer valuable insights, they often fall short of capturing the true essence of a product's interaction with the real world. This is where early prototypes step in, serving as basic yet effective checkpoints along the design journey.
Often ugly, these early prototypes allow you to collect a lot of information. They reveal flaws in ergonomics, expose mechanical incongruities, and provide a tangible testament to the product's functionality. The usefulness of early prototyping lies in its ability to detect early problems, preventing them from evolving into costly and time-consuming roadblocks later in the development process. It's a pre-emptive strike against design flaws, saving resources and ensuring that the product remains on a trajectory towards success.
Of course, the final prototype, rigorously tested by users and clients, is the ultimate judge of a product's readiness for market. But early prototypes serve a distinct and equally crucial purpose. They are the unknown heroes of the design process, providing valuable feedback.
But what about in the digital world
In app and software development, you may think low-fidelity wireframes should be relegated to the realm of afterthoughts, considered a waste of time before the more glamorous world of high-fidelity prototypes. However, this perception fails to consider the value of low-fidelity wireframes as indispensable tools for navigating the complexities of digital product design. Defender of skipping low-fidelity wireframes often cite the efficiency of diving straight into the intricate details of high-fidelity prototypes. After all, what could be more exciting than a visually polished glance to the final product? However, this approach often leads to costly rework and missed opportunities for early feedback.
Low-fidelity wireframes, in their simplicity, serve as a powerful ally in the quest for clarity and efficiency. They remove the distractions of visual polish, allowing designers and stakeholders to focus on the core structure and functionality of the product, and communicate more efficiently. This stripped-down approach encourages rapid iteration, enabling designers to experiment with different layouts and functionalities without getting distracted by other visual design.
In complex systems with multiple interconnected frames, low-fidelity wireframes act as a roadmap, ensuring that no essential element is overlooked. By identifying potential issues early on, designers can avoid the pitfalls of missing critical frames, buttons, or functionalities, which could have a significant impact on the product's usability and overall success.
Low-fidelity wireframes are not a sign of laziness or a lack of commitment to quality. On the contrary, they represent a deep understanding of the design process and a commitment to efficiency and collaboration.
From app and software development to designing the latest camera, early prototype or Low-fidelity wireframe will always have a place of choice. You should never consider the need to verify an assumption even simplistic as a weakness. This is more the prerogative of the wise one.
Article by Gregoire Bessette
Source:
- discussion with Jonathan toy designer
- https://uxdesign.cc/building-to-learn-977a8cd88ced
- https://blog.constructionmarketingassociation.org/5-reasons-prototyping-essential-design-construction/
- https://procrewschedule.com/6-main-reasons-prototyping-becomes-essential-in-construction-and-design/
