How Do I Prototype Using Design Thinking Principles

What is prototyping?

• Prototyping is essentially testing your ideas in a simple but tangible way
• Prototyping can help you find flaws earlier in the design process, by testing assumptions you may be making about what will work
• The process of prototyping can also help you generate new ideas as you go

Low-Fi Prototyping

• Samples created for prototyping should be low time investment and low cost. Paper Prototyping is a great way to get started. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Use basic, easily accessible material like paper to sketch out your ideas in a visual format.

Using design thinking principles can help you structure your prototyping process.

There are many variations on the steps to the design thinking cycle, but a common version is as follows:

• Observe and empathize
• Explore and create
• Build and deliver
• Iterate and improve
• Repeat!

Simplified, the cycle can be represented in the diagram below: