Presented to the Scottish Usability Professionals Association, Edinburgh, 22 June 2011.
Covering the basics, the benefits, some tools, some tips and a case study.
25. All paper based Writing not typing Playing computer Quick results summary
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32. Thank you Neil Allison University of Edinburgh www.usability-ed.blogspot.com http://uk.linkedin.com/in/neilallison www.ed.ac.uk/website-programme
Notas del editor
Examples of paper prototyping: Using cards to replicate tabbed browsing Using post it notes to investigate potential location of a log in interface On a whiteboard, so the participant and rub out and amend the design with you Slightly more sophisticated prototype using powerpoint More sophisticated still, with the graphic design overlaid
Looking to find: Quick questions focused on a page layout or the nature of some content? Or fundamental decisions about your information archictecture and the user journey? Where you are in the design process: You may or may not have a graphic design organised yet. Typically the look and feel is prioritised ahead of things like content and architecture, when really it should be the final step. The icing on the cake. Who you’re working with: I’ve had experiences where some development partners have doubted PP findings and recommendations because the prototypes were so crude. “Well that won’t be a problem once we have a look and feel. We can get the graphic designer to address that.” While I’d say this is rarely a feasible solution, you do need to bear in mind whether the people you’re working with buy into what you’re doing.
As with accompanied surfing – pencil and paper is often best. And again, templates you scribble on can save you some effort. Power point can be good as you can present your prototypes on screen. You can add links and begin to more closely mimic the website experience. Vision is a great tool for paper prototyping as it’s so quick and easy to drag and drop items. There are also some templates and shapes available online for free that can speed up the process still further, Link included in the further reading page. Visio is on site license at the University – it just isn’t part of the standard MS Office package. Your computing officer will be able to get you a copy. Axure is a specialist package that works much like Visio, but creates real web pages from your drawings.