Assignment 2

Paper Prototyping


After reviewing and considering the process of paper prototyping and what it entails, I have concluded that designers are less concerned with cost-cutting and failure of their product than they could potentially be. I say this because paper phototyping seems to be consistently shunned by designers when it is essentially a cost effective, time-saving, usability testing technique. This is the result of our technology driven world, where the most fitting motto seems to be "out with the old, in with the new". It seems to me that we would rather spend money on the most current technology to develop a website, software, hardware, what have you, than use an age-old process that's proven effective and costs virtually nothing. Well, apparently it just isn't cool to be cheap, or old.

Okay, so paper prototyping essentially involves building an interface (ultimately the surface of the product, the finished look) from scratch and without the help of current technology. The designer can test user friendliness by having an actual 'user' determine the usability rating. If it seems the product is too difficult for the average person, changes can be made to the design before it is launched to the public. All the while saving money by not using expensive technology to develop the interface and time, by being able to avoid creating and putting forth a product that will fail before it can be tested by the average consumer.


I like to think of paper prototyping as the vintage approach to designing. The thought of vintage clothing and comic books is appealing to us, for the most part. It's stylish. So why can't the same idea carry over to paper prototyping, instead of dubbing it as old and outdated? Why can't we feel satisfied and even dignified that we have the ability to create a design that is the same, and perhaps better, with few inexpensive resources than the most prime and current ones? It is almost as if it feels wrong to be doing so.


I also like to equate paper prototyping with the question: why is a new Yankee Stadium being built? Not because the "old", or current one is unusable and dilapidated. The stadium simply is not as new as it could possibly be so it's unacceptable. It's a relic, its walls are shrouded in history but its age renders it as being in need of renewal no matter what its state.

Essentially, with the option of paper phototyping, designers are ultimately deciding: do I want to use a method that's proven effective, saves money, and allows for changes to be made before being launched to ensure client satisfaction or use the most expensive design techology and take my chances on failure? Seems like the decision should be a no-brainer but [shrug]. If only paper prototyping could be thought of less as the approach your grandmother used to design, the process could prove to be an exceptional design tactic.