Paper prototyping is an easy, inexpensive way to test the functionality of your site design. When designing a website, it is imperative that the end user be able to navigate quickly and easily to the page or content they desire.
Creating a paper prototype of your web site design will give you a first glimpse into the mind of your end user. It may show holes in your navigation or content. It can help you decide if your page ID and/or headers are doing their job: making it clear to the user exactly where they are. A paper prototype can also tell you if you are missing content or functionality that the user wants or needs.
Have a read through the following links to better understand what paper prototyping is, and how it can effect your design:
Paper prototyping will help you develop, among other things, your graphical user interface. You will see if people are having trouble navigating your site, and why. Graphical user interface, commonly called GUI, can make or break your site's functionality and aesthetic. Have a look at the GUIdebook: Graphical User Interface Gallery and see how user interfaces have progressed over the years. (Check out Microsoft Windows 1.01!!) That progression is based on user experience and usability testing, like paper prototyping!
HOMEWORK
• Start reading over chapter 4 of the web style guide online. It focuses on interface design. Study up, because there may be a quiz on this information on Monday, March 2nd!
• Creating your first website using Adobe Dreamweaver. You need to download the linked files (check_magazine.zip) and start working on this tutorial. I would like to see parts 1, 2 and 3 completed for class on March 2nd. Adobe has a great support network, so if you have questions, do your best to find the answers online. Part of being a web designer is being self-reliant. Don't panic if you run into trouble. Just think to yourself: What would Google do?
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