This document discusses paper prototyping as a usability testing method. It involves drawing paper prototypes to represent different user interface designs and functionalities. The prototypes are then tested by having participants complete tasks while interacting with the "paper computer." This allows designers to observe users, identify usability issues, and improve the prototypes before implementing a digital version. The document provides tips for preparing tasks and questions, focusing the testing on important design elements, and properly conducting a testing session.

1. Paper prototyping
Hans Põldoja

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3. Process
• Drawing separate paper prototype(s) for each
functionality (user story)
• Making changes in the user story, if needed
• Putting the pieces together
• Taking photos of the process
• Finding missing stories / prototypes

4. Initial user story

6. Improved user story

9. Redesigning existing
interfaces

12. Testing paper
prototypes

13. Preparation
• Creating tasks based on the scenarios
• Creating related interview questions

15. Designing the right tasks
“Years ago, we helped with a study of Ikea.com, looking at how people found
products on the site.When we got there, they'd already started the testing process
and were using tasks like "Find a bookcase." Interestingly, every participant did
exactly the same thing: they went to the search box and typed "bookcase".
Upon our suggestion, the team made a subtle change to the instructions they were
giving their participants: "You have 200+ books in your fiction collection, currently
in boxes strewn around your living room. Find a way to organize them."
We instantly saw a change in how the participants behaved with the design. Most
clicked through the various categories, looking for some sort of storage solution.
Few used Search, typing in phrases like "Shelves" and "Storage Systems". And,
nobody searched on "bookcase".”
(Jared M. Spool)
(Spool, 2005)

16. What to focus on?
• Terminology. Do they understand the terms in the
UI?
• Navigation. Does the flow match what users
expect?
• Content. Does it provide the right level of
information?
• Page layout. Is content organized as users expect?
• Functionality. What additional features are desired?
(Ginsburg, 2009)

17. Testing session
• Test person
• “Paper computer”
• Facilitator

18. References
• Ginsburg, S. (2009). An agile approach to iPhone design: Paper prototyping +
user testing. http://www.slideshare.net/ginsburgdesign/an-agile-approach-to-
iphone-design-paper-prototyping-user-testing
• Spool, J.M. (2005). Seven Common Usability Testing Mistakes. http://
www.uie.com/articles/usability_testing_mistakes/

19. Thank You!
• hans.poldoja@tlu.ee
• http://imkedesign.wordpress.com