Prototyping
Prototyping involves exploring and validating how an idea or concept will work.
What is it?
Prototypes are draft versions of your product you can test with users early in the design process and make changes quickly and cheaply. They are also an effective way of communicating ideas with stakeholders, designers and developers, helping ensure a more robust end solution.
When to use
Prototyping should be used early in a project as it allows you to gather feedback from users before you've spent too much time or money on developing a product.
Read our case study of prototypes: API user research
Balsamiq
You can create prototypes using the Balsamiq software package, which is available to University of Edinburgh staff members through the wiki:
Prototyping - introduction to Balsamiq on the University Website Programme blog
Further reading
Design studio workshop: Adding up the benefits on the UIE website
Seven myths about paper prototyping on the Userfocus website
Prototyping posts on the University Website Programme blog