Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Prototypes as Inquiry, Visualization and Communication
Gill, Carolina; Sanders, Elizabeth; Shim, Scott
Type:
Year:
2011
Editor:
Kovacevic, Ahmed, Ion, William, McMahon, Chris, Buck, Lyndon and Hogarth, Peter
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Section:
Design Teaching Environment 2
Page(s):
672-677
Abstract:
Before engineers and designers can become comfortable with the idea of building conceptual prototypes, they need to understand that prototyping is a valid method for not only for evaluation but also for exploration of concepts. This understanding depends on a deeper recognition that not all questions regarding a real product or system are amenable to mathematical analysis or simulation: there exist questions, often of a qualitative nature, that are necessary to answer even though they cannot be expressed analytically. “Prototypes as a mean of formal evaluation are a relatively small part of the entire design process. Prototypes are the means in which designers organically and evolutionarily learn, discover, generate and refine designs. They are design-thinking enablers deeply embedded and immersed in design practice and not just tools for evaluating or proving successes or failures of design outcomes”. [1]
Furthermore, as designers’ participation in the fuzzy front end of the development process increases, the definition of prototype and the activity of prototyping evolve. What is a prototype of a service? What are the materials needed to build prototypes for future experiences? How do you prototype behavioral change or transformation?
Furthermore, as designers’ participation in the fuzzy front end of the development process increases, the definition of prototype and the activity of prototyping evolve. What is a prototype of a service? What are the materials needed to build prototypes for future experiences? How do you prototype behavioral change or transformation?
Keywords:
