A prototype is typically a physical manifestation of ideas or concepts and its form can range from a rough to finished take on the proposed end result(Stappers,2014). In the case of our product, we wish to test this with the user in week 10. Knapp (2016) suggests that a prototype mindset which follows 4 principles are key to the success of the prototype and feedback it evokes altogether. A “goldilocks-quality prototype” , that appears 90% real is recommended in order to gain the most from the feedback phase, whilst ultimately remaining time efficient.
Knapp et al. 2016 “Sprint : how to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days”
In the case of our Community Energy Dashboard a set of facades that are real enough to test and temporarily ready for simulation in the user test is our ideal approach , however we would hope they still equally evoke honest feedback results.
“If the quality is too low people won’t believe the prototype is a real product, if the quality is too high , you’ll be working all night and you won’t finish”(Knapp,2016) .It is also highly likely that the longer you spend on working on something the more attached you will become and the less likely you will take negative results to heart.
We have chosen marvel software to develop the facades of our dashboard application in addition to this a group member allocated the role of asset collector will source for the 2 makers/designers some data and empirical looking visualisations for the dashboard itself, which will require basic use of adobe photoshop 10 to weald these data based visuals such as gauges and graphs together.
The information display in particular regards to consumption and production is integral to our concept, however also is the role in promoting the user to think about their collective neighbourhood energy consumption, thus engaging them and creating a “buzz” to think about these issues and share their thoughts with their local community is also key, so the team is willing to invest time into providing a friendly space for thought and reaction to these topics, also equally important is the tone we deliver to the user.