the way we prototype will shape our project
capturing data with the help of prototypes


1) prototype as an experimental component

• role: test of specific hypothesis
- testing hypothesis with the help of prototypes
- the prototype itself is the object about which design knowledge is sought through
- experimental trials for preferences: colour, shape, taste... do people like small paper-cups, is the weight ok?
- interactive tool/ object: prototype allows us to understand how much the body is influenced by the object/ tool
- collecting qualitative or quantitative data of the responses to the prototype according the options you give

= the prototype that are constructed sometimes can be the end-results but sometimes they are just for the sake of testing hypothesis for the sake of exploring how the object of investigation affects various situations.


2) prototyping as a means on inquiry

• role: open-minded exploration
- without prior hypothesis you use prototypes as instrument of inquiry
- prototypes are designed to collect, record and measure phenomena
- you provoke a specific situation and through your prototype you will get feedback to it
@ technology, design, and empathy probes
- you are developing a new object and put it out there and just see how the situation react to it
- collecting qualitative or quantitative data of the responses to the prototype
- prototype often are sensors that capture situational qualities

= think about what inquiry is meaningful - not having a hypothesis does not mean not having a clear purpose


3) prototype as a research archetype

• role: illustration and demonstration
- used to show possibilities
- physical embodiments of concepts, understandings to design spaces that can be argued to constitute
- instead of creating products that can be used, create possibilities how life-situations could look differently

= what happens if...? how could a situation look like? could be a material library...


4) about the process of prototyping as a vehicle for inquiry

• role: driver for the research direction
- the prototype is not the result but the process of making the prototype is generating knowledge
- the way you prototype is what matters and what
@ co-design and participatory design: involving people into the process to physicalize their ideas
- depending on what material/ thoughts you use for the act of creating prototypes, you will get different kind of ideas that can be analysed, critically situated and feed into a further research
- deals with the uncertainty that comes with not-knowing

= get others involved into research (action of prototyping) explore together: a question, a material, a thought...

my experiences in testing a specific hypothesis:
• prototyping materiality of air-bubbles @ddw
• prototyping puzzle-postcard-game to get to know each other/ interactive postcards of becoming one
• architectural scale-models/ maquettes for a scaffold platform in order to investigate the engineering possibilities

my experiences:
• interviews bachelor thesis to find out their attitudes
• questionnaire about housing-situation

the role of prototyping in design

understanding the granularity of people and situations

fast scaling and fast failing

start testing early with whats at hand

my experience with prototyping an example or a possibility:
• writing a story about the 3D object @blog for jesse
@ dune sweat-suit
@ HNI vacuum blanket to substitute human touch
@Superflux 2050 kitchen

my experience with involving others into prototyping process:
• cardboard exploration in RV-studio
• being in nature - surviving with just few objects @mirte scouting

which role to use?