Prototype Method details, prototype details

Prototype Method details, prototype details
Preface

Before creating a product prototype and conducting on-site tests, the UX team should first consider three important factors: network bandwidth, Community population, and geographic location.

An interesting example is provided. During a survey in India, designers were personally aware of how these variables affected people's evaluation responses. One time I shared the prototype of a mobile phone with a local fruit vendor and asked for feedback, the vendor was obviously more interested in the designer's bright and well-equipped mobile phone screen than in the design evaluation, because he has used broken-screen second-hand mobile phones in the past few years, this is the environmental impact. In this experience, designers understand that in this environment, paper prototypes should be selected to make the study objects more focused on design, rather than equipment.

The product team communicates ideas and designs directly with users through prototyping. In the initial stage of product development, most designers use sketchbooks, blank paper, and marker pens to create low-fidelity paper prototypes. As the team increases their confidence in the product concept, the designer will create a higher-fidelity digital model accordingly. This process is applicable in many cases, but the development of a global product may be somewhat different.

Consider the following carefully before building and testing a prototype:

Location
Where can I test the prototype? Network bandwidth
What is the network condition in this region? Community groups
How many people in the region accept technology? Select a paper prototype

The paper prototype is a hand-drawn user interface model. The prototype is more conceptual and less detailed than the digital prototype. This method is very effective in the initial research phase of product development because it promotes rapid iteration and feedback. The paper prototype can easily convert feedback into new iterations in a short time. A rough conceptual design also gives participants more room to interpret the prototype from their perspective. In addition, the paper prototype can be reduced.False positive feedback, people often avoid negative comments on highly completed works.

Testing a digital prototype is prone to operations (such as pressing a button) rather than text interaction with the screen. Because the interaction between people and paper is not so instant, the paper prototype slows down the user to read the text. Therefore, if you want to know what they think about the UI text, the paper prototype method is the most effective.

Before testing the prototype, cut the paper into the size of the mobile phone, which makes the user more similar to the product concept. To facilitate communication and stimulate creativity, participants can also draw comments directly on a paper prototype.

Scroll prototype

A scroll prototype is a collection of paper (note that it is not printed as a scroll sample). Participants and designers can browse and understand the product process through the conceptual interface. This method is suitable for the initial stage of product development. The final design can be determined based on multiple design concepts. It is very expensive to create a high fidelity prototype.

Define the target before creating a scroll prototype. What do you get from testing? You may want to see if the study object can find a specific button or button to see if the function is obvious. After clarifying the purpose, you need to consider the product steps from the user's perspective. Then, create a product process that you can browse with the participants.

To create a scroll prototype, You need to print out the product operation process. Each step is taken as a page in ascending order and spliced together in order to roll it up. A simple scroll style prototype is created.

During the test, participants were asked to read the scroll and control the pace after explaining the use scenario. This allows them to describe their understanding of each page. If they are confused or suddenly stuck, ask and ask questions.

When developing global products, some designers prefer the digital prototype method. After all, the paper prototype is too abstract. The digital prototype is very effective when the discoverability and navigation mechanism are tested. For example, if a product team wants to understand how users switch between interfaces, the digital model provides answers. Compared with the paper prototype, the digital prototype displays applications based on the premise that users are already familiar with their devices, making it easier for new users to understand the network. Compared with the vague expression on the paper prototype, the color and comparison of the digital prototype are more authentic. At the same time, users can freely explore the prototype and learn how to use the application by tapping the screen.

Most of the digital prototype tools rely on the cloud to implement all functions. When the network signal is unstable, even if some tools provide offline functions, additional preparation is required. For example, before testing a digital prototype in the field, download the prototype to a local device and test the flight model.

Google designers use Principal, Flinto, Framer, and other tools to make different prototype fidelity (from simple click navigation to adding scripts to a certain extent ), you can select the appropriate tool based on your research objectives. In order to avoid errors of digital models during the test, it is necessary to create a paper prototype as an alternative.

Once again, try your best to test the user life scenario. Many users cannot think of problems in the conference room.

Slide prototype

The slide prototype is applicable to low-connectivity network environments, incomplete backend development, or the application is still in the framework phase. You can slide a series of images or download them to your mobile phone. If the network environment is unreliable, download the image to a local folder or SD card in advance and test it with the most common mobile phone device version.

Dynamic and high fidelity prototype

The low-income prototype method, such as sliding prototype, does not need to consider bandwidth and signals, but it is easy for participants to get confused because they cannot experience all functions of the product. The interaction effect provides an interactive user experience, allowing participants to better understand the design.

In a study, the designer tested a stacked static digital screen of playing cards, with the default operation sliding down a card. However, most users cannot start. When the team designed a prototype with full functional hihi-fi, the user immediately responded. In this example, the interface design is not unreasonable,Static effects confuse users. By integrating the dynamic and responsive design, participants can interact with the application. Although a high-fidelity prototype takes longer to build, it is more impressive and gives more detailed feedback. However, because it takes more time and cost, it is difficult for a high-fidelity prototype to iterate twice.

In any case, animation and other static imagesAdditional information can be provided to usersThe extra prompt is beyond doubt. If you are confused about the interface design, you can check whether this is missing.Additional information.

Summary

Prototype testing can effectively collect user opinions, which is essential for the entire product development process. Valid prototype methods include paper prototype (scroll), low-fidelity digital prototype (slide), and dynamic digital prototype integrating animation and Sensory details. Selecting a proper prototype depends on the research goal, target user group, design stage, and product time plan.

The three factors mentioned at the beginning-geographic location, network bandwidth, and community groups can also help you decide which prototype method is more suitable for your situation. Although there are no hard rules, taking these factors into consideration can help you determine which method can collect more effective and detailed feedback.