diverge · Ideation, Problem Solving · 30–60 min · 2-10 people · medium energy

Rough Prototyping

Rough Prototyping is a method for quickly visualizing and testing service concepts by creating low-fidelity representations of touchpoints and interfaces. It helps teams explore ideas, gather feedback, and iterate on designs early in the development process.

When to use Rough Prototyping

Use this method when you need to quickly explore and communicate service ideas, gather feedback on potential solutions, or identify potential usability issues early in the design process. It's particularly useful during co-design sessions to make abstract concepts tangible.

What it solves

Difficulty communicating abstract service concepts; lack of concrete examples to discuss; getting bogged down in details too early.

How to run Rough Prototyping, step by step

  1. Define the scope. Identify the specific service or touchpoint you want to prototype. (5 min)
  2. Gather materials. Provide paper, markers, sticky notes, and any other readily available materials. (5 min)
  3. Create prototypes. Individually or in small groups, participants create rough prototypes of the service touchpoint. (20 min)
  4. Share and discuss. Each group presents their prototype and receives feedback from the other participants. (20 min)
  5. Iterate. Based on the feedback, refine the prototypes or explore alternative solutions. (10 min)

Materials needed

  • Paper
  • Markers
  • Sticky notes
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Pre-assembled interface elements (e.g., wireframe kits, UI kits - optional)

Facilitator tips

  • Emphasize that the prototypes should be rough and quick to create. Discourage participants from spending too much time on details.
  • Encourage participants to focus on the user experience and the flow of the service, rather than the visual design.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants getting too focused on the visual design or technical details.
  • Participants being hesitant to share their prototypes because they are not perfect. Remind them that the goal is to explore and gather feedback.

Variations

  • Create prototypes using digital tools like Figma or Sketch.
  • Focus the prototyping effort on a specific user journey or scenario.
  • Use role-playing to simulate the user experience with the prototype.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create and collaborate on rough prototypes. Participants can upload images of their paper prototypes or create digital versions using built-in tools.

What it produces

A collection of low-fidelity prototypes representing key service touchpoints (e.g., paper mockups of a mobile app interface, sketches of a physical environment).

Origin

Adapted from Service Design Tools — source

Build a session around Rough Prototyping

METODIC places Rough Prototyping inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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