TRAINING // DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING
Prototyping (Low-fi, In-Context, Wizard of Oz)
Low-Fi Prototyping addresses the challenge of testing and refining application concepts before fully developing their user interfaces. By creating simple, functional prototypes, it enables early feedback on usability and concept viability, allowing for quick iterations. This method streamlines the validation and improvement process, without detailed design or technical development.
The greatest advantage of In-Context Prototyping is its ability to provide a sharp understanding of what is most important to the user regarding high-level issues. By immersing the prototype within the actual context of use, this method offers unparalleled insights into user priorities, preferences, and pain points. It allows designers to observe firsthand how users interact with the product in real-world scenarios, highlighting key benefits, features, and design elements that resonate most strongly with users.
Wizard of Oz tackles a tricky situation in usability testing: how to gather valuable user insights on features that aren't fully built yet. It works a bit like magic! Users interact with a prototype that appears functional, but behind the scenes, a hidden "wizard" controls the responses, simulating the missing functionality. This allows researchers to observe real user behavior and identify usability issues early on, saving time and resources in the development process.
Shadow Mentoring
A strong way to learn a methodology is to jump right in and start applying it. In Shadow Mentoring, we dive into your project and apply the methodology in real-time. Your team members are then coached on how to take the lead. This approach is particularly helpful when you want to apply a methodology to a project immediately and by the end, have built up the skills to continue on your own. Depending on which skills you are building, this may mean that we start out by spending a lot of time with your team and gradually pull back, until we are just available for remote support questions.
Training Workshops
We are glad to organize training in a workshop format. This can be done either at your facility or an external location that is convenient for your team. Depending on your needs, we can combine various training topics to address broader requirements. Our workshops are very hands-on. You won’t just be listening and taking notes; instead, you will be actively involved in experiencing the process.
Group Size
We recommend a group of at least 4 people for our workshops. The interaction that happens between colleagues is a very important part of the learning process. Similarly, we have a maximum group size of 10 people to provide enough individual attention and ensure effective learning.
Learning Material
Each training session includes materials that explain the methodologies taught in the course. This reduces the need for note-taking during the class and serves as a reference for future applications of the methodology.