Short answer

For interactive outdoor games, invest in high-fidelity prototyping early to accurately gauge user experience and explore design potential.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2013)
Method: Comparative prototyping and user evaluation
Evidence: Strong effect

Utilizing high-fidelity, working prototypes early in the design process for interactive outdoor games can better capture the intended user experience and explore the design space compared to traditional low-fidelity methods. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS). Using Comparative prototyping and user evaluation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: For interactive outdoor games, invest in high-fidelity prototyping early to accurately gauge user experience and explore design potential.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

High-fidelity prototypes accelerate interactive outdoor game design for children

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · 2013

Key Findings

01Low-fidelity prototypes significantly alter the emergent game experience of interactive outdoor games, making early evaluation difficult.
02High-fidelity prototypes allow for earlier and better assessment of interaction effects on game experience.
03Early access to functional prototypes enables designers to explore the design space more effectively.

Application

Design takeaway

For interactive outdoor games, invest in high-fidelity prototyping early to accurately gauge user experience and explore design potential.

How to apply

When designing interactive products, especially for children or in dynamic environments, prioritize the creation of functional prototypes that closely mimic the final product's interactions.

Project actions

01Consider the fidelity of your prototypes based on the nature of the interaction you are designing.
02If designing interactive products, explore tools or platforms that can help you create functional prototypes efficiently.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the effectiveness of using high-fidelity prototypes in the early stages of designing interactive outdoor games for children.

MethodComparative prototyping and user evaluation

ProcedureThe study involved comparing the design process and user experience evaluation of interactive outdoor games using both low-fidelity (e.g., paper) and high-fidelity (working, interactive) prototypes. The impact of prototype fidelity on capturing the game experience and exploring design options was assessed.

ContextDesign of interactive outdoor games for children

Variables

IVPrototype fidelity (low-fidelity vs. high-fidelity)

DVAccuracy of user experience evaluation, exploration of design space

CVType of game (interactive outdoor game for children), user group (children)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a practical challenge in designing interactive products.
+Proposes a specific approach (high-fidelity prototyping) to overcome limitations of traditional methods.

Limitations

The potential for high-fidelity prototypes to be time-consuming and resource-intensive to create, and the need for designers to have access to appropriate tools and skills.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is strengthened by its focus on a specific domain (interactive outdoor games) and the direct comparison of prototyping methods. Reliability could be further enhanced by replicating the study with a larger and more diverse group of designers and children.

Think critically

To what extent does the complexity of the interaction or the target environment necessitate high-fidelity prototyping, and what are the trade-offs in terms of development time and resources?

Design Principles

"Embrace high-fidelity prototyping for interactive experiences to ensure accurate user feedback and comprehensive design exploration."

This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of how interactive elements influence the overall game experience, especially for emergent game genres. It also enables designers to more effectively leverage technological capabilities to explore a wider range of design possibilities.

What This Means for Your Design

When making interactive games for kids to play outside, using a working prototype early on is better than just drawing it on paper because it shows how the game will really feel and play.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the choice of high-fidelity prototyping for interactive elements in your design project.
2.Use the findings to explain why low-fidelity prototypes might be insufficient for evaluating certain types of interactive experiences.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The design and evaluation of interactive outdoor games for children highlight the limitations of low-fidelity prototyping in capturing the true user experience. Research suggests that high-fidelity, working prototypes are crucial for accurately assessing the impact of interactions and exploring the design space early in the development process, particularly for emergent game genres. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of how interactive elements contribute to the overall play experience, leading to more effective design decisions.

Source

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)

Head Up Games : on the design, creation and evaluation of interactive outdoor games for children

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about high-fidelity prototypes accelerate interactive outdoor game design for children?: For interactive outdoor games, invest in high-fidelity prototyping early to accurately gauge user experience and explore design potential. Evidence: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2013).
Why does "High-fidelity prototypes accelerate interactive outdoor game design for children" matter for design?: This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of how interactive elements influence the overall game experience, especially for emergent game genres. It also enables designers to more effectively leverage technological capabilities to explore a wider range of design possibilities.
How can designers apply this research?: For interactive outdoor games, invest in high-fidelity prototyping early to accurately gauge user experience and explore design potential.
What were the main findings?: Low-fidelity prototypes significantly alter the emergent game experience of interactive outdoor games, making early evaluation difficult.. High-fidelity prototypes allow for earlier and better assessment of interaction effects on game experience.. Early access to functional prototypes enables designers to explore the design space more effectively.
What research method was used?: Comparative prototyping and user evaluation.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing interactive products, especially for children or in dynamic environments, prioritize the creation of functional prototypes that closely mimic the final product's interactions.
What are the limitations?: The cost and time investment associated with high-fidelity prototyping, and the potential need for specialized skills or platforms.