Introduction to Paper Prototyping

Half Day Tutorial

Jacques Hugo
Human Factors Engineer
Usability Sciences Consulting

Objectives

After completion of the tutorial, the attendees should be able to:

• Understand the role of prototyping in user-centred design
• Understand the basic techniques of paper prototyping
• Explain how paper prototyping can be done with and without users
• Design a basic user interface applying the basic techniques of paper prototyping

Content

Paper prototyping can provide invaluable user insight and design direction at the very earliest stages of a project - if you do it right. This half-day “crash course” in paper prototyping will teach you:

• What paper prototyping can mean to your project.
• How to perform paper prototyping on a range of software and Web interfaces.
• When to use paper prototyping and how it fits into your project/development cycles.
• How to use paper prototyping to sell the value of usability to your organisation

Attendees will work through a practical 18-step process, covering affinity diagramming, scenario development, tool selection, storyboarding, layout, comping and evaluation.

The tutorial will include:

• Basic principles of rapid prototyping, including an overview of the benefits of paper prototyping and several tools and techniques
• Practical sessions allowing the attendees to experience the power (and pleasure!) of paper prototyping.

Target audience:

Individuals who are involved in the management, requirements specification, design, development and testing of user interfaces, or anyone else with a passion for usability.