Playbook for universal design

Universal design methods for more inclusive solutions

Prototyping (Storyboarding) Add/remove

Purpose:

The purpose of prototyping is to visualise an idea in a drawing or physical shape.

It is used as a boundary object for discussion for further detailing, development or presentation of a concept.

This representation gives a good groundwork for a common understanding of a concept and ground for more ideation.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with Download template (pdf)

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

Focus

If participants have focusing issues reduce the amount of choices of prototyping methods.

Touch

Pair up the participant so one participant can do the crafting and the participant who can not touch can guide and instruct.

Hold

Pair up the participant so one participant can do the crafting and the participant who can not touch can guide and instruct.

Think

Reduce or extend the timeframe based on the participants cognitive abilities. And if it makes sense for the concept reduce the amount of complexity in the materials - Lego and modelling clay is for example easy for most to pick up and build with, with limited skills as cardboard is more complex but gives a lot of freedom according to size and detailing.

Move

Pair up the participant so one participant can do the crafting and the participant who cant move can guide and instruct. If only movement in legs are restricted make sure materials are within arms reach.

Speak

Pair up the participant so one is able to present the prototype. This can also be a translator.

Hear

Pair up with other participants who are able to communicate in sign or invite a translator to join the process.

See

Pair up the participant so one participant can do the crafting and the participant who cant see can guide and instruct and participate as much as possible.

Overview

Input

Basic ideas or descriptions for concepts

Output

Prototypes

Complexity

Moderate-Complex

Time

15-80min

Participants

2-10

Activity

Communicating, drawing, crafting.

Step by step:

  1. Divide the participants in groups of 2 or 3.

  2. Assign or make the groups choose what concept to prototype.

  3. Present materials accessible for the participants. Materials can include: 

    • Legos
    • Modelling clay 
    • Cardboard 
    • Paper 
    • Pens 
    • Storyboards 
    • Tape 
    • Scissors etc.

  4. Give the participants a minimum of 15 min to prototype. For physical prototyping give more time

  5. Be observant on how the participants use the materials – do they need to go another route like sketching? storyboard? be observant.

  6. Let the participants present their prototype (5 min per group). 

When doing this method you should consider:

  1. Do not include too many different ways of prototyping into one session as this can lead to decision fatigue.
  2. Always have a physical and sketching option to accommodate different ways of working.
  3. Choose the type of prototyping materials based on your participants – can they e.g. use a scissor?
  4. Pair up the participants so a diverse point of view can be utilized

Materials needed:

  • Lego 
  • Modelling clay 
  • Cardboard 
  • Paper
  • Foamcore
  • Foam sheets  
  • Templates
  • Pens 
  • Tape 
  • Scissors 
  • Exacto knife
  • cutting mats 
  • Glue 
  • Misc.