Design Thinking is a human-centric approach that encourages innovation and problem-solving through a creative process. Prototyping is a crucial step in the DT process- and it’s meaning is to foster collaboration, alignment and validation- delivering a visual outcome of an idea in a cheap and fast manner. The key mindset to prototyping is this: If one does not work, throw it away and try it again!

1. Digital UX 1st Layer- Paper Prototypes:

Low-fidelity prototypes are quick, hand-drawn representations of ideas. They are commonly used in the early part of Prototype Phase to visualize concepts without investing too much time or resources. Paper prototypes are particularly popular in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. Designers sketch interfaces on paper, allowing them to receive feedback on the basic structure and flow of a product.

Prototyping of digital design, user flows and customer journey can easily be done just using a pen and paper.

2. Digital UX 2nd Layer- Interactive Wireframes:

Wireframes are a step up from paper prototypes and provide a skeletal representation of a digital product. Interactive wireframes allow designers to create a navigable version of a website or application. These prototypes are essential for testing user interactions, information architecture, and overall user experience.

3. Digital UX 3rd Layer- Digital Prototypes:

Digital prototypes simulate the functionality of a product or system. These prototypes are interactive and can provide a realistic user experience. Tools like Adobe XD, Figma, and InVision allow designers to create digital prototypes for websites and applications. This type of prototype is valuable for user testing and refining the user interface.

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4. Service Design- Physical Prototypes:

Not all prototypes exist in the digital realm. Physical prototypes are tangible models of products, frequently used in industrial design and manufacturing. For example, in the automotive industry, physical prototypes of car components are created to test their functionality, durability, and aesthetics.

We test the FRANK BY OCBC Store Concept prototype within an empty space- with cardboards and papers.

5. Service Design- Physical Collaterals:

Physical collaterals are tangible materials or artifacts used to support and enhance service experiences. These collaterals play a crucial role in communicating information, guiding users, and shaping perceptions throughout the service journey. From brochures, signage, and packaging to forms, tickets, and branded merchandise, physical collaterals serve as touchpoints that bridge the gap between digital interactions and real-world encounters.

We apply Credit Card Sales Kit Physical Collaterals A-B Testing to test different sales kit across different weekends to look at the sales figures and sales officers’ feedback.

6. Service Design- Storyboard Prototypes:

Storyboards are a visual way to represent user interactions and scenarios. They are often used to prototype user journeys in a narrative format. Designers create a sequence of images or illustrations to illustrate how a user might interact with a product or service over time.

7. Service Design- Role-plays:

Role-plays are immersive exercises where participants take on various roles within a service system to simulate real-world interactions and experiences. These role-plays allow teams to explore and understand the complexities of service delivery, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for improvement.

We build a similar simulation of a Credit Card booth to deliver a new way to sell cards as a role-play between the salesman and the customer.

Conclusion:

Prototyping is a versatile and integral aspect of the Design Thinking process. Whether you’re sketching on paper, creating interactive digital interfaces, or building physical models, the goal remains the same – to bring ideas to life, test them, and refine them based on user feedback.

By exploring various examples of prototypes, designers can choose the right method for the specific needs of their project, ultimately leading to more effective and user-centric solutions.

Last Words

I will be adding more articles on Design Thinking throughout the year. Articles of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test will be added periodically to give my readers a broader insights to Design Thinking.

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About the Author

Daniel Ling is a regional Design Leader, and certified Design and Agile Coach with 15 years of experience in the financial and e-commerce tech space- who moulded himself to be a “designer in a business suit”- strong in the Design Thinking process and yet relevant to the industry. He is proficient in the digital and transformational space- in the area of design leadership and management, research, strategy planning and coaching.

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