Prototyping with Functional Fidelity in Mind

Speaker: Chris Callaghan

While many UX teams are familiar with the concept of visual fidelity (the difference between wireframes and mock-ups), fewer acknowledge the different functional fidelities of prototypes.

In this online seminar, we will discuss:

• how modern screen design tools encourage teams to adopt a workflow that favors surface design over interaction design,
• how differing functional fidelities can help teams explore, communicate, and usability test the functional elements of user interfaces, and
• what you need to consider to create a high functional-fidelity prototype.

Topics Covered

Types of prototypes and when to use them

• Throwaway vs. Evolutionary
• Visual fidelity (low vs. high) vs. functional fidelity (low vs. high)

Screen design tools

• Features
• Workflows
• The broken promise of prototyping
• Considerations for high functional fidelity tooling

Challenges of low functional fidelity prototypes for usability testing

• Suspension of disbelief
• Pre-filled personal data
• Pre-selected options
• Missed states, interactions and experiences
• Directed routes
• Low quality questioning
• Path and artboard management

Prototype considerations for usability testing

• Realism
• Flexibility
• Red routes
• Devices
• Accessibility
• Adaptability
• Extensibility

About the Speaker
Chris Callaghan is a UX & Optimization Specialist with over 15 years of industry experience across agencies and start-ups. He is a full-stack UX practitioner and conducts user research, design, testing, and conversion rate optimization. Over the years, he has gained hundreds of user exposure hours from usability testing live sites, mobile apps, and prototypes in a range of sectors, with a particular focus on e-commerce.

Chris has recently achieved NN/g UX Master Certification, mentors others through several organizations, and has delivered two NN/g Online Seminars.