Investigation 6: Paper Prototyping

Summary: The goals of this investigation are to practice skills for developing and testing a paper prototype.

Collaboration: You will complete this assignment in groups of 3-4. You may discuss it with anyone you like. Members of the class will participate in your testing.

Due: The writeup is due Thursday, March 6, 2:15 p.m.  You should have a testable prototype for class on March 4.

Assignment

In this assignment, you will design, construct, and test a small paper prototype.

Your goal will be to design a web interface to let people order custom T-shirts printed with a graphic that the user provides. (For example, the CS SEPC might use it to order T-shirts!)

Design and construction

As part of your preparation for class on Thursday, February 28, I asked you to write a scenario (or draw a storyboard) presenting one user's interaction with the interface as you envision it. In groups of 3-4, you should compare the scenarios you wrote before constructing the first versions of your paper prototype. In constructing the prototype, use the guidelines and techniques described in ID (Ch. 11) and in Rettig (1994).

I will provide a "kit" of user interface construction components. These will be available in class; I'll leave them in the CS commons for your use outside of class. You can supplement this with your own materials if you want.

Testing your prototype

1. Write a short task description on a note card to be handed to the user.
2. Decide which role(s) you will play (facilitator, computer, observer).
3. Practice running through the test amongst yourselves until you can do so smoothly. (Not only does it take practice to play the role of the computer, but you may also find you've left something out of your design.)

Please bring extra "parts" and materials for your prototype. (I will also have extra materials, but don't count on me.) You may make minor changes to your prototypes in between tests (or even during a test, if the change is very small).

You will not hand anything in on this day. There will be no reading so you have extra time to prepare.

After testing

(a) Create a walkthrough of completing the task using your protoype. Your walkthrough should include photographs and text. I will bring a digital camera to class on testing day (March 4); you can use your own if you prefer.

(b) Either create a spreadsheet or write a short narrative explaining the problems you saw during testing and how you would change your design in response.

Turning in your work

Your writeup should include parts (a) - (c). Your writeup may be several pages due to the photographs in part (a).

Please print your assignment to turn in during class.

Assessment

This assignment will be worth a total of 35 points as follows: 

• 15 points for your prototype walkthrough.  Here I will be looking at the clarity of your walkthrough and the appropriateness and creativity of your design.
• 10 points for your interpretation of the results. Here I want to see a clear description of the problems you saw and appropriate design responses.
• 10 points for your reflections. Although you may raise other issues, you should consider the questions I raise as well.

Janet Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)