Lesson video

Hi there everyone, my name's Mr. Booth, and welcome to your Design & Technology lesson for today.

It's brilliant that you could join me.

Today, we are carrying on with our "Inclusive Design: Mental Health and Wellbeing" unit.

And today, we're gonna be looking at low-fidelity prototyping.

So making really quick and simple prototype out of simple materials so we can explore ideas really quickly.

Today's outcome, I want you to be able to produce a simple prototype to test and communicate initial ideas and concepts.

We have three keywords today that I would like you to keep a lookout for.

The first is, of course, prototype: an early model of a design used to test and explore ideas.

We then have low-fidelity: simple, quick, and low-detailed version of a design.

And then finally concept: the main idea or principle behind a design.

Two learning cycles today.

The first is all about low-fidelity prototypes, so let's have a look.

A prototype is a model of a design idea that is used to test and explore how it might work in real life.

You've gotta remember that quite often, we will produce sketches or even CAD models of designs, but nothing beats holding something physical in your hands.

Now, designers use prototypes to check how a concept or idea could function, so you can test the functionality of it, identify possible improvements that would need to be made.

And you just wouldn't get that from a sketch, so having a physical prototype is much more effective at doing that.

And also, you can share ideas with others.

Yes, a sketch works really well, but if you can hand somebody a physical model of an idea, they are far more likely to be able to give you feedback on that idea.

A low-fidelity prototype is a very simple and rough version of a design idea.

It's not about the detail or finish.

You're not making a work of art here.

Instead, it's about quickly showing and testing the concept behind the design in a physical, 3D way.

And here we have two lovely examples, one of a hat and one of a chair.

And you can see they are made from really simple materials, and they would have been very, very quick to construct.

The main focus of low-fidelity prototypes is concept testing.

Designers want to know, does the idea work in practice? We've got an idea, we might have done a sketch, but does it actually work? Is the size and shape suitable for the intended user? So we can test the functionality of it as well.

Can it be understood quickly by others? And by handing your users a physical model, you're gonna be able to get feedback on that much quicker than if using a sketch or a CAD model.

Low-fidelity prototypes allow designers to test ideas without wasting time or money on details too quickly.

Quick check for understanding.

What is the main purpose of a low-fidelity prototype? Is it A, to show the final materials and surface finishes, B, to quickly test and communicate design concepts, C, to present a product to a client for final approval, or D, to replace the need for drawings entirely.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've answered.

It is, of course, B, to quickly test and communicate design concepts.

Well done.

Now, low-fidelity prototypes are useful for lots of reasons.

In fact, why don't we pause the video here and you try and think about why low-fidelity prototypes are really useful to designers.

Maybe have a chat with the person next to you or have a think if you're on your own.

So pause the video now and have a think about this.

Come back to me when you've got your answers.

So what did you think of? Well, low-fidelity prototypes are useful because they are quick to make.

Ideas can be tested much sooner.

They're easy to change.

You can adapt them and learn from them as you go along.

They're really cheap to build.

We usually use everyday items that are readily available, the materials that often arrive through our postbox on a weekly basis.

So as we know, the theme for this unit is inclusive design: mental health and wellbeing.

Now, low-fidelity prototypes are particularly useful when considering inclusive design.

Designers can easily try out different shapes or layouts to meet the needs of a wide range of users.

That's what inclusive design is all about.

And this, of course, includes people with different mental health needs.

And of course, you can make a quick cardboard model just to try out dimensions.

That would be a brilliant low-fidelity prototype.

Another check for understanding.

Why are low-fidelity prototypes particularly useful in inclusive design? Is it A, they are designed to show the final materials and finishes, B, they guarantee the final product will not need further changes, C, they are quick and cheap to make, so designers can easily test ideas with different users, or D, they replace the need for sketches and drawings.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

So this is, of course, C.

They are quick and cheap to make, so designers can easily test ideas with a range of different users.

Well done.

Designers often use everyday items to create low-fidelity prototypes, and these can include all sorts of different materials.

So we've already talked about cardboard, but paper and cardboard are really good for exploring size and layout.

And we can usually get these for free.

Clay for modeling complex shapes, and also foam can be used if you're exploring shapes for like grips, the more ergonomic designs.

So foam and clay are perfect for these.

Packages or plastic bottles can also be used too.

So a lot of waste material can be used when creating low-fidelity prototypes.

We also need to stick these prototypes together, or at least the components together.

I think masking tape is one of the best modeling materials you can get.

It's relatively cheap, but it's super easy to use and you can even tear it with your fingers, you don't need any scissors.

But there are a variety of adhesive tapes that you can use.

And also, hot melt or cool melt glue is also another adhesive that is widely used.

And if you have parts that you need to move, you can make hinges from elastic bands.

Or you might have rotating parts, and in that case, split pins are a fantastic resource that you can utilize.

Check for understanding.

Which materials are most appropriate for making a low-fidelity prototype? A, injection molded polymer, B, finished textiles with zips and seams, C, varnished timber and polished metal, or D, cardboard, paper, and tape.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, D, cardboard, paper, and tape.

Well done.

Now time for your first task, Task A.

First of all, I want you to define the term prototype, then explain two advantages of using low-fidelity prototypes during the early stages of design.

Next, a pupil is designing a new app interface as part of an inclusive design project focusing on mental health.

Explain how a low-fidelity prototype could help test the concept.

And finally, sketch a quick low-fidelity prototype of a solution to your identified problem that is based on inclusive design: mental health and wellbeing.

Label which materials can be used to build the prototype.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've completed.

So how did you get on? Let's have a look at some sample answers.

First, I wanted you to define the term prototype.

A prototype is a model of a design idea that is used to test and explore how it might work in real life.

Next, explain two advantages of using low-fidelity prototypes during the early stages of design.

Low-fidelity prototypes are quick and cheap to make, which allows designers to test ideas without wasting time or money.

They are also easy to change, meaning designers can adapt their concept based on user feedback.

I then wanted you to consider this.

A pupil is designing a new app interface as part of an inclusive design project focusing on mental health.

Explain how a low-fidelity prototype could help test the concept.

Well, an answer could be: A paper or card prototype of the app screens could be used to test whether the layout feels simple and calming for people with anxiety.

By showing the sequence of screens in a low-fidelity way, the designer can quickly gather feedback on whether the design reduces stress and confusion, then adapt the concept to be more inclusive.

Finally, I wanted you to sketch a low-fidelity prototype of a solution to your problem based on inclusive design: mental health and wellbeing, and also tell me about the materials that you could use.

So here we have Alex, 16-year-old secondary school pupil.

Currently preparing for his GCSE exams. Lives at home with his family and spends most evening revising.

The design opportunity is, of course, something to help him organize his tasks.

And here we have this wonderful sketch of a prototype that we could create.

This is a desk light with a micro:bit pomodoro timer display.

It can be modeled with cardboard, paper, and a plastic bottle.

Well done.

We're now onto our second learning cycle, prototyping with simple materials.

Designers often use everyday, simple materials when creating low-fidelity prototypes.

And we've looked at this.

So materials such as card, paper, tape, foam, clay are chosen because they're quick to shape and cheap to replace.

These materials allow designers to focus on testing concepts rather than details or surface finishes, or even possibly materials.

We're not really interested in that at this moment in time.

Simple materials can effectively communicate lots of things.

Scale: showing how large or small a design will be.

And having a physical model of a design is much easier to identify the scale than if you've just got a sketch.

Form: exploring the overall shape of the product.

Being able to physically hold it in your hands allows you to do that.

Interaction: demonstrating how a user might hold, press, or move parts, the functionality of your design.

They don't need to show textures, colors, or final finishes.

We're not interested in that.

Instead, they make the concept clear.

In inclusive design, simple material prototypes are essential.

They allow designers to test whether a design works for a variety of users.

Let's have a look at some examples of these.

A foam shape of a fidget toy can be tested to see if it can be held comfortably in the user's hands.

A card mock-up of furniture can show whether the scale feels supportive for different body types and needs.

So let's have a look at some other examples of this.

So we might make a paper wireframe of an app, and this could be tested with people who experience anxiety.

And this could be tested to see if the layout feels calming and easy to follow.

And adaptations can be made, even when the user is testing it, to see if we can improve the design.

Check for understanding.

Which of the following is the main reason designers use simple materials for prototypes? Is it A, to replace computer modeling completely, B, to create a product that can be sold immediately, C, to test finishes early in the process, or D, to focus on scale, form, and interaction without worrying about detail.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, D, to focus on scale, form, and interaction without worrying about the detail.

When using simple materials, designers can communicate their concepts clearly with others.

They get a physical model of it, they can actually hold it in their hands.

The roughness of the prototype signals that it is still open to feedback and change.

And actually, some users enjoy this 'cause they feel part of the development of a product process.

This encourages discussion, which is vital in inclusive design where the needs of many users must be considered at every stage.

Because simple materials are cheap and flexible, they can be easily adjusted to test different needs.

For example, you could add more card layers to change the thickness of a handle using the layering technique.

You could cut away sections to test a different button layout.

And again, you could do this live with the user there.

You could also rebuild a foam model to explore different shapes and grips.

This adaptability makes prototypes powerful tools for designing inclusively, especially when supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Check for understanding.

Why are simple material prototypes particularly useful in inclusive design? A, they can be quickly adapted to test different user needs and experiences, B, they guarantee the products will be fully sustainable, C, they are only used to test products for people with disabilities, or D, they show the exact color and texture that users prefer.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, A, they can be quickly adapted to test different user needs and experiences.

Well done.

So we're now onto Task B.

First of all, I would like you to explain two advantages of using card or foam when making a prototype for an inclusive design project.

A designer is creating an inclusive study desk organizer to support pupils with anxiety.

Describe how a prototype made from card could be used to test the design concept.

And finally, I would like you to build a low-fidelity prototype of the solution you sketched from Task A.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've completed the task.

So how did you get on? Let's have a look at some sample answers.

First of all, I wanted you to explain two advantages of using card or foam when making a prototype for an inclusive design project.

Everyday materials such as card, paper, or foam are inexpensive, can be worked with quickly to test and communicate design concepts.

These rough and simple models make it easy to visualize a concept.

Next, a designer is creating an inclusive study desk organizer to support pupils with anxiety.

Describe how a prototype made from card could be used to test the design concept.

A card prototype could show the scale and layout of compartments.

Users could interact with it to see if the design feels calming and organized, giving the designer feedback before moving on to a detailed model.

I then wanted you to build a low-fidelity prototype of the solution you sketched out from Task A.

And here we have a fantastic low-fidelity prototype.

So you can see we have used rolled paper for the stem, as simple as that, corrugated cardboard for the base, and an actual micro:bit has been sketched on there so we can see the scale.

The top part is made of a plastic bottle and cardboard tube for the light shade.

And it's all stuck together with sticky tape.

Super quick to build, really cheap, and the users can interact with it straightaway.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson.

You have been brilliant.

Let's have a quick summary.

A prototype is a model used to test and communicate design ideas.

Low-fidelity prototypes are quick, rough, and focus on the concept, not the detail.

Simple materials like card, paper, foam, and clay show scale, form, and interaction.

Low-fidelity prototypes support inclusive design as they are cheap, adaptable, and user-focused.

Well done today.

I look forward to seeing you all next time.

Goodbye.