Design Thinking - Paper Prototypes

Paper prototypes are a crucial part of the design thinking process because they are inexpensive and allow for early testing of product and service ideas. By using paper prototypes in user interviews, designers can better understand user needs and use these prototypes as an experimental basis during and after interviews. Common materials include scissors, tape, glue, markers, post-its, and colored paper and cardboard. These prototypes are great for visualizing interfaces like apps or websites, encouraging users to focus on the concept rather than details. Physical objects such as wearables also benefit from paper prototyping, allowing users to gauge the practical implications of using the product. For services, which are intangible, part of the experience can be prototyped, such as invitations for a dog owners' convention. It is also effective for testing product aspects like contents and usability, as in the example of shipping packages for a dog food service. Overall, while paper prototypes lack the detailed functionality of more developed prototypes, they are excellent for initial concept evaluations and can be easily modified or discarded based on user feedback.