[IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?

[Bryan Minihan]

Paper is a perfectly legitimate tool for prototyping airplanes.

Probably not so vehemently stated, but I tend to agree with Andrei that the
tools below are classified typically as "mockup tools" and not so much
prototyping tools.  I draw the distinction because I was the only
"prototyper" at my last company, and when folks asked for prototypes, they
typically meant what I do, and not PPT, Visio or any other medium.  In fact,
we built a prototyping service specifically to augment design agency
"prototypes" that did nothing remotely prototype-ish (and hence, were all
but useless to developers).

On the other hand, a good designer can communicate his/her design in any
medium, and as long as the definitions are understood at the outset, there's
no reason they HAVE to build the D/X/HTML/CSS/JS to go with their design(s).
As previously discussed here, too, some non-web media are much more
difficult to prototype than others. 

Bryan
http://www.bryanminihan.com

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com] On Behalf Of Andrei
Herasimchuk
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 3:52 PM
To: IxDA Discuss
Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] What tools do you use for prototyping?

On Nov 4, 2007, at 6:39 PM, KS Wang wrote:

> Paper! ... Good for drafting out, materialising and visualising the  
> ideas I have
> in mind, before moving on the the standards like Visio, Omni Graffe

Paper is not a prototyping tool. It's a design tool. It's a sketching  
tool. It's a way to get ideas directly from one's brain into the  
world with as little information loss as possible. But it's not a  
prototyping tool. Paper prototyping is nothing more than iterative  
design to help people get the ball rolling and to keep things at a  
level of manageable, inexpensive and iterative before getting to  
brass tacks with real, pixel precise mockups and a true product  
prototype.

Also, I've been really trying my best to avoid responding to this  
thread as I know I'll just upset folks, but I can' t resist anymore...

The fact that Visio seems to be a "legitimate" tool in the field just  
makes me want to cry. I mean, would you create a scale model if you  
were building the original iPod out of PlayDough to show to the guy  
who signs the checks what the design will be? Or Legos for that matter?

And someone mentioned PowerPoint? Are you kidding?

XHTML+CSS, Javascript, Fireworks, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash  
ActionScript, etc. This is what our products are built using, so it's  
high time those in the field who to call themselves "designers" stop  
avoiding learning how to build prototypes using real technology

Really. Just stop it. The tools are not that hard. It's almost 2008.  
It's time to evolve already.

</rant>

-- 
Andrei Herasimchuk

Principal, Involution Studios
innovating the digital world

e. andrei at involutionstudios.com
c. +1 408 306 6422


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