Copy - Copy - Class 15 Concept Overview V3

Do's & Don'ts: Prototypes & Prototype Validation

Samples of Prototypes

Steps to take when building prototypes

Prototypes for different types of Product & Services

DELIVERABLE:Build your solution prototype

Prototypes & its Fidelity levels

Build an Initial Prototype

Objective: Learn to bring your solution alive with prototyping

CONCEPT PRIMER

HIGH FIDELITY

MEDIUM FIDELITY

LOW FIDELITY

• Detailed & closely resembles the final solution.
• Fully functional
• Detailed 3D models, or simulations.
• Used for comprehensive testing, user validation, and stakeholder presentations

• More detailed representation.
• Wireframes, basic digital models, or partially functional
• Used for testing interactions, basic functionalities, and initial user feedback.

• Basic representation with minimal detail.
• Rough sketches, simple models, or abstract concepts.
• Used for initial exploration, idea generation, or quick iterations

Prototypes are developed progressively to reach different levels of sophistication/fidelity. Fidelity refers to the degree of accuracy or similarity of a prototype to the final product or service. It defines how closely the prototype mimics the actual characteristics, functionalities, and aesthetics of the intended end solution. Fidelities of prototypes are typically of three kinds - low, medium and high.

Fidelity levels of Prototypes

Services prototypes are early versions of service processes or interactions used to test and refine service delivery and customer experience.

Product prototypes are early models or samples of a physical product, used to test design, functionality, and manufacturability.

Are preliminary versions of a software application used to visualize and test the design and functionality before full-scale development.

SERVICES PROTOTYPES

PRODUCT PROTOTYPES

SOFTWARE PROTOTYPES

Prototypes: Different types of Product & Services

Product Prototypes

Service Prototypes

Software Prototypes

Samples of Prototypes

To

Image credit: Sarah, Lessonsindesign.com

Samples: Prototypes for Software Applications

High Fidelity – ‘Clickable Mockup’ on figma

Low Fidelity – ‘Wireframe’ built on figma

Stanford Biodesign: David and Tom Kelley of IDEO share their approach to medtech prototyping.

Read more at “Prototyping Your Invention Idea”, article on Medium.com by Jesus Marti Editor Abilista

Finished Medtech product

‘Looks like Prototype Image credits: IDEO

To

3D printed (Look like prototype) Image credits: Medium.com

Cardboard prototype Image credits: Medium.com

To

Samples: Prototypes for ‘Product’ (manufacturing)

Samples: Prototypes for Services

Product Prototypes

Service Prototypes

Software Prototypes

Steps to take when building prototypes

Do's & Don'ts of Prototype Validation

Iterating the prototype to get to a 'great solution' requires constant customer engagement, feedback and validation. Do's and Don'ts to accomplish that include:

Do's & Don'ts of Prototyping

Do's & Don'ts: Prototypes & Prototype Validation

Venture Activity 5.1: Build your Prototype

• Get creative! Use materials like post-its, chart papers, sketch pens etc to make your solution come alive.
• Prepare to demonstrate how your solution works
• Recieve Feedback from your faculty and peers
• Take a picture and upload the final prototype

Continue to build your solution prototype

• Review the prototype that you have started to build

Review the prototype

• The solution summary
• Functionality and the solution design

Review

Steps to Take

Your Deliverable – Solution Prototype

Example: Simulating a customer support call center scenario to test and improve response protocols and customer interactions.Methods: Role-playing, Blueprints, and Mock service scenarios.

Service Prototypes

• As a team, agree on 2 possible solutions that your startup can build

Generate Solution Ideas (Part B)

TEAM ACTIVITY

Instructions:

• Sign in with with your email, using the link above.
• Status: As you complete each activity, its description box will reflect its status
• Navigation: Click on the HOME for the menu
• Checkpoint: Check the status of your assignments/submissions, in the Home page at “Click here to view your team's submissions”

• Click on Activity 2.7: Follow the instructions to develop your ideas
• The tool contains the description of your problem statement, Customer segment, persona and insights

Link to login:

Solution Ideas Tool

May use tools such as Bubble, Adobe XD, InVision, or Axure for making interactive prototypes

Create wireframes and mockups of the interface using tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, or Figma

Determine how users will interact with the software (do not focus on databases or other back-end designs yet)

Software Prototypes

Use materials like cardboard, foam, or 3D printing to create a physical representation of the product.

Create 3D models using SolidWorks, Tinkercad, Autodesk Fusion, etc.

Start with simple design sketches to visualize the product (paper or digital drawing tools).

Product Prototypes

Prototyping: Do's & Don'ts

Keep it quick and dirty​

Don't over-engineer: Don't fall into the trap of making your prototype too complex ​

Don’t forget: Its purpose is to learn, not launch

Don't confuse prototypes with the final product​

Don't get attached to your prototype​

Don't be afraid to fail: Not every prototype will be a success. That's okay! ​

Bells and whistles come later. Keep it simple and quick for now

A good prototype should communicate the vision and potential of your product​

Think of your prototype as a living document, not a finished productl

Get the team aligned on the future final solution​

Role-play the service to understand and improve the customer experience. This can also be done through storytelling.

Create the Customer Journey Map, a graphical representation of the customer's experience with the service, detailing each touchpoint and emotional state.

Create a service blueprint that outlines the customer journey, frontstage and backstage actions, and touchpoints.

Service Prototypes

Prototype Validation: Do's & Don'ts

Don'ts

• Don't Ignore Negative Feedback: Negative feedback is as valuable as positive feedback, if not more so. ​ ​
• Don't Test With Too Narrow a Group: Ensure your test group is diverse enough to represent your entire target audience.​ ​
• Don't Rush the Process: Take the time needed to thoroughly test and validate your prototype. ​ ​
• Don't Overcomplicate Your Prototype: Keep your prototype focused and simple. Adding too many features too early can complicate testing and feedback.​

Do's

• Ensure your testing group represents your target audience​ ​
• Start testing as early as possible and continue throughout the development process​ ​
• Encourage honest feedback and be open to making changes based on user suggestions and needs.​ ​
• Prioritize testing the core features and functionalities that are crucial to your product's success.​ ​
• Keep detailed records of test results, user feedback, and changes made. ​

Generate Solution Ideas (Part A)

Individual Activity

• Review Current alternatives/options
• Review Gaps in the current solutions
• Generate atleast 3-4 solution ideas

Example: A 3D-printed model of a new gadget to test its ergonomics and user interaction before mass production. Methods: 3D Models, Mock-ups, and Working models.

Product Prototypes

Example: Creating a mockup of a mobile app's user interface to test usability before developing the full application. Methods: Wireframes, Mock-ups and Clickable prototypes.

Software Prototypes