Step four of the 5E Design Thinking Framework is called EXPAND. This is an experimental phase. The aim is to identify the best possible solution for each of the problems identified during the first three stages. The solutions are implemented within the prototypes and, one by one, they are investigated and then accepted, improved or rejected based on the users’ experiences. The design team will now produce a number of inexpensive, scaled down versions of the product (or specific features found within the product) to investigate the key solutions generated in the explore phase. These prototypes can be shared and tested within the team itself, in other departments or on a small group of people outside the design team. By the end of the EXPAND stage, the design team will have a better idea of the product’s limitations and the problems it faces. They’ll also have a clearer view of how real users would behave, think and feel when they interact with the end product..
The prototype step in the design thinking process is an iterative process. The initial prototype is often not the final version of the product or service. After testing the initial prototype, designers may identify areas for improvement or discover new user needs. Based on this feedback, designers can modify the prototype and create a new version. This process is repeated until the design meets the needs of users and fulfils the requirements of the project.
The prototype step is also a collaborative process.
Designers often work with other team members, stakeholders, and end-users to create and test prototypes. Feedback from these groups is critical to the success of the design. By testing the prototype, designers can identify areas that may need improvement or modification. This feedback can be used to refine the design and make it more effective.
The prototype step is a critical phase in the design thinking process. It is a stage where ideas and concepts are transformed into tangible products or services that can be tested and refined. A prototype is a preliminary version of a product or service that allows designers to evaluate and refine their ideas. Prototyping can be done using a wide variety of materials, such as paper, cardboard, clay, 3D printing, and software, depending on the nature of the product or service being developed. The prototype step follows the ideation phase in the design thinking process.
Low-fidelity prototypes are often created using paper, cardboard, or other inexpensive materials. These prototypes are simple and easy to create, but they can effectively test basic concepts. They are often used in the early stages of design to quickly test and iterate ideas. Another type of prototype is a high-fidelity prototype.
High-fidelity prototypes are more detailed and realistic than low-fidelity prototypes. They are often created using 3D printing, computer-aided design (CAD), or other advanced software. High-fidelity prototypes are more expensive and time-consuming to create than low-fidelity prototypes, but they can more accurately represent the final product or service. They are often used to test and refine specific features or functions of the design. In addition to the types of prototypes, there are several techniques and tools that designers can use to create prototypes.
In the ideation phase, designers generate a large number of ideas and concepts, and then select the best ones to move forward with. Once the designers have selected the most promising ideas, they can begin to create prototypes. The prototype is a way to visualize the idea, test it, and refine it based on user feedback. There are several types of prototypes that can be created depending on the product or service being developed. One common type of prototype is a low-fidelity prototype, also known as a paper prototype.