Maiorana, Tom (2021) The Failures of Prototyping: A call for a new definition. In: Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD10) 2021 Symposium, 2-6 Nov 2021, Delft, The Netherlands.

Preview

Text Maiorana_FailuresofPrototyping_2021.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (550kB) | Preview

Abstract

Design thinking is increasingly used to address more complex, systemic challenges. Yet, one of its core elements, prototyping, has been underutilized in these dynamic contexts. In order for designers to make a meaningful impact on complex, interconnected, and systemic problems, we need to expand the way we conceptualize the practice of prototyping. This paper highlights the way prototyping is conceived through academic and industry literature and illustrates the ways the current understanding limits the efficacy of this practice for systemic challenges. A new definition that harnesses practices from design thinking, participatory design, and critical making is proposed. This new approach aligns with the Breaks in Scale theme by demonstrating how microscopic and macroscopic perspectives can coexist. This revised conceptualization unlocks the full potential of prototyping by shifting the focus from validation and evolution to a tool for learning that will help designers to address systemic challenges in ways that are faster, less risky, and more creative than our current approaches.

Item Type:	Conference/Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Systems, Prototyping, Complexity, Design Thinking, Wicked Problems
Divisions:	Faculty of Design
Date Deposited:	21 Jun 2022 20:12
Last Modified:	21 Jun 2022 20:15
URI:	https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3877

Actions (login required)

Edit View