Why one prototype isn't enough for learning a lot?
In short: creating multiple prototypes forces you to think outside of your own box you created, helps people who test them imagine there could be even more solutions, it makes people compare, be more critical and tell you how they would remix the prototypes to create their dream solution.
Testing one prototype or idea teaches you stuff only about that particular idea, service or product. But when you present several very different approaches to the same idea, service or product you learn way more.
There are a few reasons that make this work:
It makes people see there could be more options
When people are confronted to several things, it's clearer to them that there could be even more options out there. So they tend to not only share feedback on what you show but also on what you didn't show but that they imagine would be useful.
It forces you to open your world of possibilities
When you need to create several prototypes for testing, you suddenly realize that something that always felt as the logical right way to do something can in fact be done in many different ways, and some of these might be cheaper, faster, more meaningful, more impactful.
It forces comparison
Suddenly people who test your prototype, idea, service or product get more critical as there the comparison is more easy, And through the comparison, they often end up offering you an idea of a remix, mashup or birchermuesli of ideas and elements that come from several prototypes that they would put together to create their dream solution, service or product.
But what if I don't have time to create multiple prototypes?
First, if you don't have time, maybe it's a sign that you spend too much time on your prototypes and that you could make them simpler, faster.
But if you really think that you are on a time crunch, then you could compare your prototype with existing products, services and ideas.
This article was written on a refurbished Remarkable II tablet with a type folio cover. The illustration was made drawn by hand on the same tablet.
Related articles
Why do I love big organization HQ tours in Service Design education?
In short: access many nerds in one go who are in the thick of it with different professional postures. And it can lead to projects for learners.
How do I see my role as a Service Design educator?
In short: my role is different in a university context versus in what I do on the Swiss innovation Academy. In a university I'm a coach. On this website I'm an author who shares his passion and simplifies it for the masses.
How do I invite guests for a Service Design program when the budget is non existent?
In short: be clear it's for a public school, ask many people to come in for short amounts of time remotely and without preparation. Don't ask superstars but rather bring in practitioners for whom being it's a nice change in their day-to-day.