[IxDA Discuss] The Five Types of Prototypes

[Dmitry Nekrasovski]

What about prototypes as design documentation? This might be implicit
in 1), but I see it as slightly different from general-purpose
communication.

Dmitry

On 10/1/07, Todd Zaki Warfel <lists at toddwarfel.com> wrote:
> 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.
> ----------------------------------
> Contact Info
> Voice:  (215) 825-7423
> Email:  todd at messagefirst.com
> AIM:    twarfel at mac.com
> Blog:   http://toddwarfel.com
> ----------------------------------
> In theory, theory and practice are the same.
> In practice, they are not.
>
>
>
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