Generating ideas and building prototypes

Abstract

Design always involves the difficult step from seeing users and their activities to inventing something new that will make sense to them. In this chapter we turn to framing of the problem in such a way that the design process can start and the first prototypes can be constructed. Following a prototype-driven approach, we first provide a discussion of how to frame a problem, drawing on information gathered by methods presented in the previous chapter. We then show not only how to generate ideas for prototypes that would aid to validate a potential solution to that problem, but also methods to actually build and validate such prototypes. Finally, we discuss specific challenges related to affective interaction. The intention pursued with a prototype-driven approach is not to design a product, but a research vehicle for exploring a specific research idea. However, for one to say something of how successful a solution has been, a scenario for such prototype needs to be as realistic as possible, almost as if one was to design a product.