Prototype, test, iterate

The prototyping process has been well documented in Chapter 8, Learning How to Prototype and Make Electronics Wearable. The prototype you make will be designed with the analysis of the interviews and engagements you carried out with stakeholders. The prototype you make will be tested with the stakeholders you identified earlier in the Design Innovation process. Ideally, you want to decide how well the prototype responds to stakeholder needs. They will tell you very quickly if it is too confusing to use or not fit for purpose! Remember earlier in the chapter, we looked at how observations can be valuable in discovering issues with your prototypes. Keep detailed notes of your observations.

It’s extremely important to get the prototype to the wearer and create a feedback loop —a way for them to offer you feedback on what you are prototyping. It could be you give them a journal to write their thoughts as they use it, or you make a mini-website...