A Comparative Analysis Of Prototyping Techniques With Youths

Abstract

Researchers working with young participants may use prototyping techniques as a tool for design components of the research. This research focuses on idea generation from prototyping design sessions with youths of various ages. We conducted research with two groups of youths in two different contexts. One in an open in-field session involving contextual inquiry and interviews, and the other in temporally bound, structured prototype design sessions. We performed an in-depth comparative analysis of three commonly used prototyping design techniques, Storyboarding, Paper Prototypes, and Bags of Stuff, with one group of participants. We found no strong preference for one technique over the other in the design sessions, but we did find that the physical constraints of the design space affected what crafting materials were chosen and how materials were used. Finally, we discuss how the highly structured sessions could be used in tandem with the less structured, more opportunistic field work.