Building on this idea of failing faster, here is what we at Plot believe to be the third of the three core concepts of design thinking — the prototype.
One of the best introductory papers to prototyping was written some time ago by Stephanie Houde and Charlie Hill when they were both working with Apple's Human Interface Group; and it deserves to be more widely known. This is one of those seminal papers that critically informed Plot's way of seeing, thinking, and doing. It provides both a strong rationale for, and outlines the practical constraints around, the prototyping approach. In it they ask a simple question — What do prototypes prototype?
In answer, they describe the different dimensions of design issues that a prototype can address. And even though some of the references to prototyping tools may seem dated (Hypercard anyone?), the issues remain salient and clear for anyone using prototypes as a means to communicate with and through.
Enabling tools are great for failing faster... but we mustn't fail so why don't we learn by breaking things and reflecting on the fracture!
see http://ic-pod.typepad.com/design_at_the_edge/2007/01/enabling_tools_.html for more thoughts!
Posted by: JIm Rait | 2007.05.14 at 03:42 PM