Page 82 - Transforming an Idea Into a Business with Design Thinking

S tage 2: Devise Solution to Determine Feasibility ◾ 61

Prototyping is a first preliminary model of a new concept made to test
other people’s reactions, and to help gain insights into what your idea
means to your users. Prototype makes things tangible to improve under-
standing of the applicability in user’s context and identify areas to improve
upon. Creating a prototype is a quick way to show how something looks,
feels or works. A prototype helps in developing and iterating ideas and can
assist you in finding hidden issues with the concept. A prototype also cre-
ates a common understanding among stakeholders and aids in redefining
the problem.

As the saying goes, “The best way to experience an experience is to
experience it...”

In the most simplistic terms, a prototype is a way to convey a new concept
and get feedback in solving a problem.

There are three aspects to a prototype.

1. A problem that is being solved
2. A concept to solve the problem
3. A way to get feedback

In the previous step, we created an experience-vision storyboard. This
was an example of a prototype as well. As you created the storyboard, you
highlighted the problem being solved, an approach to solve the problem to
get feedback. This will help you have a better understanding of the aspects
of the storyboard that makes sense for the user.

A prototype is not confined to specific forms, some of which are men-
tioned below.

1. Physical. If you create a model using cardboard boxes, paper, tape,
plastic and other material, it is a physical prototype. You may also
use newer mechanisms such as 3D printing to create physical proto-
types. For example, to see how a new concept of a reception wel-
come desk might look and feel in a bank, you may use cardboard
boxes to craft the new desk style and place it in the bank to get
feedback.

2. Handwritten on paper. You may simply use various-sized papers and
draw your concepts to create a prototype. In software applications,
most often the first version of the prototype is the depiction of the
screen using a pen on a piece of paper. These are called wireframes.
For creating a prototype of a new mobile app, you may use 3x5-inch