Why Paper Prototyping Matters

Before you create a beautiful, finished product, you usually have to create a framework for what that product will look like. This is important both in terms of getting a visual, and seeking out usability issues early on.

I’m always tempted to jump straight on to my laptop, open sketch, and begin wireframes. What could go wrong? it’s quick (enough). I can always go back into sketch and add or remove features. So why do I start with a sharpie and paper?

It’s Fast

Working on paper is fast. No matter how good you are on a computer, a few strokes of a sharpie on a piece of paper takes seconds, and you get to see whether or not an idea is a viable option.

It’s Effective

When I start to put together a design I usually have a few ideas rolling around in my head. Getting them out, and getting them out quickly is a useful way to see whether or not they’re heading in the right direction. Sometimes seeing an idea on paper and out of your imagination is all it takes for you to realize it won’t work. Paper prototyping is an effective way to figure out what ideas to pursue

It’s to the Point

With paper prototypes, you keep it simple. The lack of details makes it easier for you to focus on the goal at hand. You can usability test without having to worry about a user commenting on a specific detail, icon, or piece of language. You can see just how your product flows, and find ways to make it stronger.

It’s Practical

And of course, if you do have to scrap an idea, no sweat! you haven’t lost a day, or hours work. You’ve simply lost a few seconds of scribbling on paper, and you get to jump right back into the next solution.

When hearing Emily Wengert, the VP of User Experience at Huge speak tonight at the Design Driven event she spoke about the unorthodox and exciting ways they would test their products and designs out. One thing that stuck with me between the teams of people holding things up for another to see, and laying on the floor to get a view of how something would look on the ceiling was the statement:

“finding ways to see things early & quickly, any way you can”

I think this is a sentiment that applies to paper prototyping as well. Paper allows you more freedom to get your ideas out early and quickly, and express yourself in ways you couldn’t necessarily be able to if you had to create your initial ideas digitally.