[IxDA Discuss] The Five Types of Prototypes

[Todd Zaki Warfel]

So, this whole discussion about making clickable wireframes got me  
thinking about something. As I'm working through my book,  
interviewing a number of people from different backgrounds, I've come  
across 5 different types, or purposes perhaps, for prototype:

1. As a common communication platform–using them to get everyone on  
the same page, avoiding misinterpretation of ideas, using them as a  
method to show and tell.
2. Work through a design–for designers and developers, prototypes act  
as a way to work through your design solution, giving you the ability  
to evaluate a few different options, tweak them, and come up with the  
best one.
3. Sell your idea internally–using them to sell your design solution  
to internal stake holders like senior management, other designers, or  
the engineering team.
4. Gauge technical feasibility–designers want to do X, but can  
engineering do it? Do we have the resources? Is it worth the effort?
5. As a marketing tool–while similar to number 3, this is for an  
external audience.

This isn't to say that one prototype couldn't serve all these  
different purposes, but these are different purposes that prototypes  
do serve. The other thing I've noticed is that these purposes are  
universal to both hi-fi and lo-fi prototypes.

Thoughts? Any purpose that I'm blatantly missing here?

Cheers!

Todd Zaki Warfel
President, Design Researcher
Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully.
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Email:	todd at messagefirst.com
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In theory, theory and practice are the same.
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