PROTOTYPING...

WHAT IS IT?

“Prototyping is the tangible creation of artifacts at various levels of resolution, for development and testing of ideas within design teams and with clients and users.”

SOURCE:

Universal Methods of Design

Quickly test and validate assumptions

Communicate design intent with others

Assess form, materials, ergonomics

Collect feedback from end users

WHY DO WE PROTOTYPE?

LOW-FIDELITY

HIGH-FIDELITY

vs

LOW-FI VS HIGH-FI

Low-Fi

High-Fi

؜James Dyson, founder of the Dyson Vacuum company, spent 5 years developing 5,127 prototypes for the G-Force vacuum, the world’s first vacuum to utilize cyclonic separation.

SOURCE: www.jamesdysonfoundation.co.uk

NUVU STUDENT EXAMPLE

Low-Cost Mask Testing Device

Low-Fidelity

High-Fidelity

NUVU STUDENT EXAMPLE

"Mindfulness Eating Kit"

Low-Fidelity

High-Fidelity

NUVU STUDENT EXAMPLE

"DNA Discovery"

Low-Fidelity

High-Fidelity

NUVU STUDENT EXAMPLE

"Extendable Garage"

Low-Fidelity

High-Fidelity

Low-Fidelity Prototypes

High-Fidelity Prototypes

Easy and fast to make

Low Cost

No special equipment needed

Can look rough-and-ready

Harder to simulate functionality

Hard to visualize aesthetics

+

+

+

-

-

-

+

+

+

-

-

-

Great-Looking

Good for showcasing a finalized concept

Helps with "buy-in" from stakeholders

Harder/slower to produce

Higher cost

Specialty equipment / materials may be needed

VS

LO-FI

MATERIALS

• Corrugated Cardboard
• Chipboard
• Bristol Paper
• Dowels
• Rubber bands
• Pipe Cleaners
• Straws
• Cardboard Tubes
• Popsicle Sticks
• Brass Brads

LO-FI

ATTCHMENT

METHODS

• Masking Tape
• Painter’s Tape
• Hot Glue
• Sobo/Tacky Glue
• Paper Clips

LO-FI

TOOLS

• Box Cutter
• Cutting Mat (Self-Healing)
• Metal Ruler 
• Scissors
• Speed Square
• T-Square
• 123 Blocks
• Canary Cutter

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: CUTTING

Straight

Curves

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: SHAPING

Bending

Scoring

Curving

Faceting

Layering

Hinging

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: JOINERY

Brads

Flanges

Brace

Skewer

Bend

Hinge

Slots

Butt Joint

COOL CARDBOARD PROTOTYPES

Deep Sea Bots Studio

COOL CARDBOARD PROTOTYPES

Responsive Architecture Studio