In this module, we look at the design making part of the process. In design making, user or customer data is turned into concepts, prototypes and minimum viable products, which can be used to gain initial feedback about ideas. Industry experts discuss the importance of ideation and prototyping in the design industry.

Learning Objectives

• Translate ideas into concepts

• Develop prototype representations of physical and digital products

• Identify the right level of representation fidelity for the different stages of a design project

A. Introduction to design making

B. Design making: concepts and prototyping

C.Creating prototypes

D. Idea generation and prototyping in design projects

Question 1

(Select all that apply)

Data collected during the design thinking phase can be turned into:

• project management reports

• concepts and prototypes

Correct

Data collected during the design thinking phase can be turned into personas and storyboards and also concepts and prototypes through the design making part of the process. This could be a design concept, prototype or a representation of a specific scenario.

• personas and storyboards

Correct

Data collected during the design thinking phase can be turned into personas and storyboards and also concepts and prototypes through the design making part of the process. This could be a design concept, prototype or a representation of a specific scenario.

• evaluation methods

Question 2

What is the purpose of the design making stage in the design process?   

• to evaluate an idea   

• to develop the thought process behind an idea   

• to build an idea and see it brought to life   

• to assess an idea   

Correct

The design making stage is where we build a tangible representation (or multiple representations) of the solution. It is about doing.   

Question 3

True or false?

The steps of thinking, making, breaking and repeating happen in isolation from one another.

• True

• False

Correct

All the steps of the design process are interconnected. They each feed into one another and build on the next.    

Question 4

True or false?

Sketching is only used during the design making phase.

• True

• False

Correct

Although sketching is generally most relevant during the idea generation phase, it can be used at different stages of the design process.   

Question 5

What is the main goal of the presentation and critique stage of the prototyping process?   

• To allow your peers to assess the quality of your sketches    

• To find your best ideas through presenting the strengths of your concept to your peers and allow them to highlight weaknesses   

• To help find the right material for the prototype   

• To better understand your audience and further consider the intent of your concept

Correct

This stage of the prototype process is extremely important as it allows you to find the best ideas. You present the strengths of your concepts and your peers highlight areas that need more work and further clarification. From this stage you discuss, evaluate and move onto your next iteration.  

Module 3 readings

Löwgren, J. (2016). On the significance of making in interaction design research. Interactions, 23(3), 26-33. Retrieved from http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/may-june-2016/on-the-significance-of-making-in-interaction-design-research 

Spool, J. M. (2012, September 20). Exploring the problem space through prototyping. Retrieved from https://articles.uie.com/four_phases_prototyping/ 

Optional readings

Buchenau, M., & Suri, J. F. (2000). Experience prototyping. In D. Boyarski & W. A. Kellogg (Eds.), Proceedings of the 3rd Conference on Designing Interactive Systems: processes, practices, methods, and techniques (pp. 424-433). New York, NY: ACM. doi:10.1145/347642.347802

Question 1

What techniques assist in the design making process?

• Sketching, wireframing, prototyping, mock-ups   

• Personas, journey mapping, extreme characters, questionnaires

• Personas, sketching, journey mapping, focus groups

• Sketching, wireframing, business model canvas, prototyping   

Question 2

Which of these is a tangible representation of a solution? (Select all that apply)

• • • prototype   

    • minimum viable product

    • storyboard   

    • mock-up

Question 3

What is a prototype?   

• Line drawings that show the fundamental structure and functions of a product or systems with annotations   

• A visual representation of the final product or service

• A conceptual tool that visually communicates an idea allowing users to understand how to use it

• A representation of a product or service that uses tangible materials enabling users to interact with it   

Question 4

Effective design making depends on:

• the quality of the data initially collected.

• the quantity of design sketches produced.   

• the quality of design sketches produced.    

• the number of personas created.

Question 5

Why is sketching considered a good tool for concept generation? (Select all that apply)

• They are quick to produce, easy to iterate and are disposable and replaceable.

• They are excellent tools for communicating ideas.   

• They are useful for testing with customers and stakeholders.

• They facilitate discussion, understanding and technique.   

Question 6

Collected data on users is typically turned into design concepts during which phase of the design process?

• Think

• Make

• Break

• Repeat

Question 7

Select which image below is representative of a high-fidelity prototype and which is a low fidelity prototype.

• a) and b) are both high fidelity

• a) low fidelity b) high fidelity

• a) and b) are both low fidelity

• a) high fidelity  b) low fidelity

Question 8

According to Jared M. Spool, what is the different between mockups and prototypes?

Spool, J. M. (2012, September 20). Exploring the problem space through prototyping. Retrieved from https://articles.uie.com/four_phases_prototyping/

• Mockups are used to communicate within a team, prototypes are used to communicate with clients and other external stakeholders.

• A mockup uses colour to represent details, a prototype is always low fidelity.

• A mockup presents possible solutions; a prototype helps to better understand the problem.    

• There is no difference between mockups and prototypes as they are both used to represent possible solutions.    

Question 9

(Select all that apply)

Prototyping early and often is beneficial because it:  

• reduces misinterpretation of the concept.

• saves time, effort and money.

• supports the communication of ideas.

• represents a typical user.

Question 10

True or false?

Prototypes are complete, finished versions of the final product.

• True

• False