Low Fidelity Prototyping
A low fidelity prototype is “a prototype which is simple and whose development does not need very much time” and “may be developed using paper and other ‘low-fidelity-materials’” (Sefelin et al., 2003). This sort of prototyping is very quick and easy to make; it will give a physical representation of the final product so that the design can then be refined and improved. Low fidelity prototypes may seem rather simple and crude, being made of materials such as paper and cardboard, but in fact, that is the whole point of them in the first place. By making low fidelity prototypes, it is easy to see how elements may fit together and to note what may have to be iterated upon for future prototypes. It is better to make many early, simple mock-ups of the final product using cheap, easy to get materials so that precious resources aren’t wasted on the higher fidelity prototypes or the final product itself.
