Prototyping

Prototyping is an essential design tool. We produce interactive prototypes, which demonstrate the desired features and characteristics of the product. The prototypes can be used for user testing and for communication in design team and with other stakeholders. We build paper prototypes, on-screen simulations, or real systems.

Paper prototyping is fast, cheap, and easy. The static and dynamic parts of the user interface are drawn on paper. In the usability test session the user "uses" the prototype by e.g. pressing the images of buttons. One of the developers acts as "the computer" and changes the display contents according to the user’s actions. The designs can be changed quickly, even during the test session.

On-screen prototypes can be built with many kinds of software tools. They can resemble the final product more accurately, both in terms of behaviour and looks.