“It’s not uncommon to use several prototypes to create a single product”
–Dan Saffer
In addition to cardboard and paper prototyping, we’re now introduced to a third technique– video prototyping. The use of prototypes is communicate and evaluate an idea, and a prototype should obviously be convincing, at least to a certain extent.
Why video prototyping? It is quick but also complex, it can be both lo-fi or high-fi, it consists of element of storytelling, it’s easy to display context, shape, size, form, users, function, and behavior all in one, and you have the ability to create and demonstrate impossible situations.
Examples
LO-FI
↘high functionality with low finish
↘low functionality with high finish
HI-FI
↘high tech, high functionality and high finish
There are some tips for how to create better video prototypes, but it’s important to remember there’s never a right or wrong in what you create. Being aware of what is visible is pivotal, even professional movie-makers make mistakes by accidentally including something in a scene that’s out of context. Far shots should be implemented for establishing context. Close-ups are for emphasis on detail or for creating intimacy with a character or object. Contrasting colors are what makes a video standout, unless it doesn’t fit with your context, lighting is very important, and finally, the rule of thirds is a trusty companion as goes to almost all design projects.
While creating a video prototype, it’s important to know what you want to tell/illustrate in your video, you should be prepared to tell your story efficiently, have the viewers’ interest in mind and not bore them to death. As you establish the context in the video, it’s essential to show the physical interaction and behavior between the product you’re presenting and a user, to show physical qualities of the object or objects, and finally, the video should be kept smooth and steady with both the physical video as well as the editing.
If you want to watch some projects we have previously worked on in class, see Wonder Bottle or the Netflix Gesture Exercise.
Journal with me! 
[…] To my surprise, the video came out solid contrary to my fears about the final outcome. I was worried that the video would not convey our product in the best way possible, however, thanks to Manuel’s editing skills, we actually created a rather convincing video prototype! In conclusion, we actually didn’t spend too much time but definitely enough effort on this project. Credit goes to the efficient team and the successful storyboarding which resulted in an productive filming process. To read more reflection on video prototyping in general as a prototyping method and a dissection of video prototypes, read here. […]
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