Why analog prototyping is the secret sauce of successful development of software — especially Extended Reality
Hey there fellow developers and designers,
Picture this: You have a fantastic idea, a creative team, and all the coffee you could possibly need. But there’s one piece of the puzzle you shouldn’t overlook — the mighty prototype.
Think of prototyping as sketching out your ideas before diving headfirst into the painting. It’s a preliminary version of your software that displays the core functionalities and design of the final product but without the implementation and final polish.
Here are two of our prototyping examples and how they turned out in a final product
Here is an example of how we prototyped a photovoltaic installation training software for Virtual Reality.
Material Invest:
0,00€
Insights for the VR development:
priceless — we would have never understood the complexity of each task without it and would not be able to put the idea into code properly
AND we had loads of fun:
This prototype taught us the tiniest steps of solar panel mounting we needed to consider and how to translate them into Virtual Reality training.
Another example of prototyping a serious learning game on solar energy for middle school kids. (Also playable in WebXR, btw)
Material Invest:
We wished there had been ice cream on the wooden sticks before, but we just had them lying around from another prototyping session —
so 0,00€.
Insights for the game design:
Basically, we have completely changed the puzzle grid after we have done the prototype. It just didn´t work the way we thought about it in theory.
So once again: priceless
This prototype let us fail fast and forward. We made an U-turn in our whole puzzle infrastructure. Imagine the headache, if we have only discovered this in the coding phase!
Quick, Cheap, and Flexible: The Golden Triad
Prototypes should be quick to create, cheap to make, and flexible to changes. You’re not aiming for perfection here — the goal is to get a functional model of your software as fast as possible, without breaking the bank. The beauty of a prototype is in its adaptability. As you get feedback and uncover new insights, processes, best practices, you can swiftly make adjustments, ensuring your product is on the right track.
Now let’s talk about why analog prototyping is crucial for Extended Reality
Prototyping here allows designers to understand and experiment with spatial experiences, considering factors like how users would interact with objects within touching distance, how they would move and be guided through space, how objects would react when a user’s hand or controller hovers or presses them.
There are numerous software tools that can be used for 3D prototyping in AR and VR. Still, it’s important to remember that while these tools are powerful, they also require some learning curve and might not be the fastest way to get to know your idea better and test.
Therefore, it makes sense to start with simpler methods first and then gradually use more digital tools once you have an analog prototype.
From rough to refined — Prototyping is an incremental process
With the creation of prototypes, we often follow a sequence of incremental processes.
- Pen and paper
- Reenactments & video prototypes
- Digital prototypes
- Block outs with placeholder assets
- Prototype of the core functionality in code
The process does not end here, as cyclical testing is a crucial part of prototype creation. Each version of the prototype undergoes rigorous testing to identify any shortcomings or areas for improvement. This iterative process helps in continuously refining the prototype, ensuring its functionality, user-friendliness, and alignment with the initial design concept, thereby paving the way toward a successful final product.
Only in the final stage does code come into play. This phase culminates in what we refer to as a ‘working prototype’, which undergoes gradual enhancements until it ultimately transforms into the final product.
Embracing Imperfection: The Key to Successful Prototyping
When we’re prototyping, it’s sometimes best to let go of our inner perfectionist. You see, prototyping is all about experimenting, testing ideas, and getting user/client feedback, rather than creating a flawless end product right away. Striving for perfection can slow us down and make it harder to think creatively and adapt to changes — two things that are super important in the prototyping process.
When we present a flawless prototype right from the start, it can set rigid expectations and make the design seem ‘carved in stone.’ This could inadvertently discourage customers from providing their valuable feedback, potentially restricting the product’s capacity to evolve and adapt to their needs.
On the contrary, presenting a ‘work-in-progress’ can effectively communicate to the customers that their opinions matter. This invites a collaborative dialogue, where customers become active participants in the design process, sharing their insights and expectations. Imperfect prototypes can stimulate discussions, prompting questions that may not have been considered in a ‘perfect’ design.
Prototyping isn’t about getting it perfect the first time, but rather about learning and evolving collaboratively.
The Power of Clarification and Inspiration
What’s more, prototyping is a fantastic tool for teams that might be inexperienced, new to a technology or wrestling with open-ended questions. By translating abstract ideas into something tangible, prototyping can clarify uncertainties and stimulate the creative process. You’ll find yourself considering options you may not have thought of without a prototype!
We love the quote:
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
Better Communication
A good prototype is worth a thousand meetings. It brings your ideas to life and makes it easier for everyone on the team (and beyond) to understand your vision. It’s a tangible, interactive representation of your ideas that can foster better communication and collaboration.
The Iterative Cycle
Prototyping is an integral part of the iterative design process. Build, test, learn, and repeat — this cycle allows you to continuously refine your software, ensuring that the final product is as close to perfect as it can be.
So, there you have it, folks! Prototyping isn’t just a step in the software development process; it’s a powerful tool that can make the difference between a good product and a great one. So, the next time you’re gearing up for a software project, remember to make your prototype quick to build, economical, and easy to tweak.
Stay curious, keep innovating, and (most important) fun prototyping! 🚀
Your team of
Invisible Room
Drop us a line at
hallo@invisibleroom.com
to prototype, concept and develop with us!
