Prototyping

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Prototyping

• HCI 27

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Prototypes

• Can be
• paper based
• software based
• used to gather requirements
• used to test requirements that are gathered
• used for testing design iterations
• incremental allowing large systems to be
  installed without large delays
• evolutionary (grows into the final system)

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Types of prototyping

• High fidelity (full video)
• Low fidelity (paper cutouts)
• Horizontal (shows user interface across system
  without functionality behind it)
• Vertical (shows all levels of functionality of
  one small aspect of the entire system)
• Chauffeured (user watches as someone manipulates
  the system)
• WizardOfOz (invisible third party providing the
  functionality)

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Paper based prototyping tools

• Storyboards
• Sketches
• Paper models

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Software based prototyping tools

• All provide some means of demonstrating some
  proposed functionality before it actually exists
  computationally
• Usually involve connecting screen shots,
  animations and active screen elements together
  with some form of scripting.

6
Software based prototyping tools

• MacroMind director
• Flash animations
• Hypercard
• Quicktime movies

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Use of scenarios

• Useful for task level prototyping
• Goes beyond the user playing with the design
• Direct the user that is testing the system
  through important tasks of the system
• Can the user perform the tasks that are essential
  to the system?
• Is the task sequence appropriate for the user?

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Screen Level prototyping

• Concentrates on icons, menus and layout the
  look part of the look and feel of the system
• Deals with issues of visibility, organization,
  color...
• Can be paper prototypes initially
• BUT usually requires high fidelity prototyping

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Rapid vs Evolutionary

• Rapid prototyping allows you to deal with
  navigation issues early without having to
  provide functionality
• In fact, you cannot provide functionality with a
  rapid prototyping tool like hypercard.
• Evolutionary prototyping involved developing
  prototypes that become the final system Squeak,
  in some ways, approaches this

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The End!