I think one of they keys here is that Andrei's perspective on
prototyping is very different from the majority. That's not to say
it's strictly right or wrong, but I find it a bit myopic, narrow, and
shortsighted. It seems to be very 37signals—this is the way we do it
and it's really the only way that matters.
Full disclosure—almost every prototype my company produces is a hand-
coded XHTML/CSS/JavaScript prototype that is production level code. In
fact, probably very similar in fidelity to what Andrei's company
produces. However, that is fairly unique in the field and not
required. We do it, because it's typically part of the goal that's
established at the beginning of the project.
However, we do some very advanced paper prototyping a few times a
year, typically when a client hands us a pre-existing set of
wireframes. Additionally, when all the client has is a few photoshop
comps and wants to test some basic flows with that, we'll either use
PPT, or stitch them together with HTML—far from fully functional, but
very effective for testing what we need and accomplishing the goal.
When I speak on or teach prototyping, I do let people know that we
typically build production level prototypes, but that that is not the
norm and not required to be an effective prototyper and I can back
that up with data.
So, realistically, I can say with certainty that Andrei's perspective,
or at least the one that's being communicated here, is not the
standard and does not represent prototyping. That's not my opinion,
that's something that I can back up with dozens upon dozens of examples.
Out of curiosity, Andrei, where would you put tools like Axure, iRise,
or Catalyst for prototyping? Waste? Beneficial? Where do you draw your
line?
Cheers!
Todd Zaki Warfel
President, Design Researcher
Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully.
----------------------------------
Contact Info
Voice: (215) 825-7423
Email: t...@messagefirst.com
AIM: twar...@mac.com
Blog: http://toddwarfel.com
Twitter: zakiwarfel
----------------------------------
In theory, theory and practice are the same.
In practice, they are not.
________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)!
To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org
Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe
List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines
List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
