Prototyping and Evaluation in Design

• Prototyping and evaluation are essential in the design process.

Prototyping Defined

• It's an experimental process where design teams turn ideas into tangible forms.
• The forms can range from paper-based to digital.

Low-Fidelity Prototyping

• Involves creating early product versions using inexpensive and quick methods.
• Common types include sketches, which are cheap and fast to create.
• Paper prototypes are inexpensive and easy to modify.
• Lego prototypes enable the creation of physical and tangible models.
• Digital wireframes are simple and allow focus on content structure and functionality.

High-Fidelity Prototyping

• It's the process of creating a detailed and realistic representation of a digital product or interface.
• It makes use of advanced design tools and techniques.
• Common high-fidelity prototypes are interactive wireframes, virtual reality prototypes, and simulations.
• Interactive wireframes make static user interfaces interactive.
• Clickable prototypes allow users to navigate through the product's different screens/pages.
• Functional prototypes go beyond visual representation to incorporate actual functionality and data interactions.
• Simulations replicate real-world environments and interactions.
• Virtual reality prototypes create immersive and interactive experiences.
• Augmented reality prototypes overlay digital elements onto the real world, creating augmented experiences.
• Low-fidelity prototypes make it easier to evaluate and create product concepts; they are accessible, time efficient, and inexpensive.
• High-fidelity prototypes convey the look of a finished product and are suitable for usability testing, but creation can be time-consuming.

User Interface Prototyping Tools

• Software apps designers use to create mockups/prototypes of design concepts.
• Figma is a versatile cloud-based tool gaining popularity among UX/UI designers.
• InVision is a popular cloud-based option with a range of features, from wireframing to interactive prototypes.
• Adobe XD is an all-in-one prototyping/design tool within the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
• Sketch is a popular vector-based design tool focused on UX/UI design.
• Axure RP is a robust prototyping tool for creating complex interactive prototypes with advanced functionality.
• Proto.io features include rich, web-based tools that allow the design of high-fidelity interactive prototypes, even without code.
• Balsamiq is a simple, easy-to-use wireframing tool for quickly creating low-fidelity mock-ups.
• UXPin is a standout tool in the prototyping software space.
• Marvel is a user-friendly, cloud-based prototyping tool that enables designers to quickly create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Origami Studio is a free prototyping tool from Facebook focused on creating high-fidelity prototypes for mobile apps.

Usability Testing

• Testing the functionality of a website, app, or digital product by observing real users complete tasks.
• The three main categories are Qualitative (or quantitative), remote (or in-person), and moderated (or unmoderated).

Expert Evaluation

• Assessing the usability/effectiveness of a product/system by experts in the field.
• Benefits include identifying usability issues, providing objective feedback, saving time/resources, enhancing user satisfaction, complementing user testing, and ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

Analyzing Usability Test Results

• Process of interpreting data gathered during usability testing.
• It helps understand user experience and identify areas for improvement.
• Analyzing usability test results involves compiling data, identifying key metrics and issues, prioritizing findings, and presenting findings to implement changes.

Making Design Recommendations

• Suggesting design improvements or changes to enhance user experience.
• The goal is to make a product more intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable.
• Design recommendations involve understanding design principles, following design guidelines, creating new components, and simplicity.
• Qualities of good recommendations are that they are understandable, specific, believable, authoritative, feasible, flexible, and prioritized.