30.03.20

In todays lesson Celina Springer and Baran Güneysel taught us more about prototyping and all of it's different types and aspects.

A prototype is an early sample of the final product, to see how it could work in the end and also to test functions and user experiences in an early state of the process, to improve its usability for the final product.

There are many different ways of approaching a prototype and some of it got introduced in today's lesson:

• Presentation prototype: communicating ideas among clients and manufacturers
• Prototype proper: Understanding user experience, needs and problems
• Breadboard: evaluation and testing of manufacturing
• Pilot system: final adjustments

At this point we can also differentiate between two types of prototypes which are low fidelity and high fidelity prototypes. Fidelity describes the resolution or more likely the detail and quality that has put into the prototype and the resemblance to the final product.

Low fidelity prototypes are more likely quickly done prototypes with low costs and low expenditure to be able to test the product with for example a low budget.

High fidelity prototypes may have a higher quality standard and may be already closer to the final product and therefore also more pricy and complex.

Rapid Prototyping We also learned about rapid prototyping today, which is basically a prototype that is done rapidly with materials that are within reach or we even find in our trash can, to find early solutions without investing any money.

Our two presenting student asked us to create a rapid prototype of something that can hold a pen 10 centimeters above the desk, only with paper.

Readings