Lo-Fi Prototyping: A Hands-On Experiment with Everyday Materials
In one of our recent classes, we were given an interesting assignment:
Create three lo-fi prototypes of a project idea related to your Master’s research and bring one to class for testing. These prototypes could be iterations of previous work, early drafts of a new concept, or entirely different ideas. The key was to keep the process quick and experimental, spending no more than 20 minutes on each prototype.
Each student approached this task differently. Instead of focusing on my research from last semester, I decided to take a completely fresh perspective. My goal was to experiment with rapid prototyping using only materials readily available at home, creating something practical and functional.
Prototype 1: The DIY Charger Holder
My first prototype was a cardboard charging holder, designed to serve as a portable phone and charger station. The idea came from a common inconvenience—when outlets are located far from tables or shelves, leaving devices on the floor while charging is not ideal. This prototype aimed to solve that issue, especially for travel or spaces with limited furniture.
Using an empty cookie box, I cut out sections to create an opening where the phone and charger could be placed. The structure allowed the box to hang securely on a plugged-in charger, keeping the phone elevated and safe from potential damage.
Prototype 2: The Allergy Pillowcase
The second prototype was a pillowcase designed for people with allergies or colds. The concept was simple: integrating a small pocket or compartment to store tissues. This would allow users to access tissues quickly during the night without having to get up or search for them in the dark. While the design was basic, the idea addressed a real pain point and could be refined further.
Observations from the Class Testing Session
For the testing session, I brought my first prototype—the cardboard charging holder—to class. What surprised me the most was how difficult it was for my classmates to identify its purpose. Since I had designed it with a clear function in mind, I assumed it would be immediately recognizable. However, when I asked my peers to guess what it was and how it worked, many had no idea.
Only after I provided a small hint—mentioning that it was related to phone chargers—did they start to piece it together. This experience highlighted an important lesson: as designers, we often assume our ideas are obvious because we are deeply familiar with them. However, what seems intuitive to us may not be clear to others.
Key Takeaways
This experiment reinforced a critical principle in design and product development:
- Early user testing is crucial. By involving users from the beginning, we can uncover misunderstandings and refine our designs based on real feedback.
- Imperfect prototypes are valuable. It’s better to test a rough, quick prototype than to wait until a product is ‘perfect.’ Iterative design allows for improvements based on actual user insights rather than assumptions.
- Context matters. A design that seems simple and logical to its creator may not be immediately clear to others. Communicating ideas effectively is just as important as the functionality itself.
Through this rapid prototyping challenge, I realized that testing, even with basic materials, can lead to unexpected insights. Moving forward, I plan to integrate more user feedback earlier in my design process to ensure that my ideas are not only practical but also easily understandable.
This assignment proved that sometimes, the simplest ideas can spark the most meaningful discussions about usability and design thinking
