Week 17 Guide: High-Fidelity Prototyping

24-week programme, Project 2 Phase. Builds on the Week 6 and Week 10 lo-fi prototyping skills.

Learning goal: build a higher-fidelity prototype that looks and behaves close enough to the real thing to test it properly with two stakeholders.
Estimated study time: 3 to 4 hours.
Evidence to upload: photos or a short video of your high-fidelity prototype, and notes on what it is built to test.

The Real Problem This Solves

Lo-fi prototypes test whether an idea works in principle. High-fidelity prototypes test whether it works in practice: real materials, real proportions, real interactions. For Project 2, with two users and competing constraints, you need a prototype honest enough that both stakeholders can genuinely try it.

Running projects. Build a high-fidelity version of your Week 16 concept, using the Prototype Planning Sheet.

Key Ideas You Need First

1. Raise fidelity where it changes the test

You do not need everything finished. Raise fidelity only on the parts a user will judge or interact with. Fake the rest.

2. Use closer materials and true proportions

Swap paper for the real material where the feel matters. Build at true size so proportions are honest.

3. Prototype for two stakeholders

Make it usable by both of your Project 2 users, so the reset or switch between them can be tested for real.

Step-By-Step Walkthrough

Decide what must be high fidelity for an honest test, and what can stay rough.
Build with closer materials at true size. Focus effort on the interaction both users touch.
Make it work for both stakeholders, including the switch or reset between them.
Try it yourself first, then note what it is built to test.
Document it well for testing next week and for your portfolio.

Demonstrated Example

Concept: the split roll-up mat for two desk-sharers.

High fidelity where it counts: real felt, true desk width, a working stiff centre line and two elastic fastenings, so both users can do a real partial reset. Low fidelity elsewhere: pocket labels are handwritten, colour not final.

Built to test: can each user reset their half in under a minute without disturbing the other, and do tools stay put.

Why this is strong: fidelity is raised exactly where the test needs it, at true size, and usable by both stakeholders.

Architecture and spatial track version. Build a higher-fidelity model with real material textures and true relative proportions, and a movable element so the switch between the quiet and noisy uses can be demonstrated and tested.

Submission Checklist

Upload item	Pass standard
High-fidelity prototype	Closer materials and true proportions on the parts that matter.
Built-to-test note	Names what a user will judge, for both stakeholders.

Assessment And Pass Criteria

Fidelity is raised where it changes the test, not everywhere.
The prototype is usable by both stakeholders.
It is documented clearly for testing.

Common Mistakes

Polishing everything. Raise fidelity only where it matters.
Wrong scale. Build at true size so proportions are honest.
Only one user can use it. Project 2 needs both to test the switch.

Extension Challenge

Prototype the single riskiest interaction twice with different materials and compare how each feels in use.

When To Ask For Tutor Help

Book a tutor check-in if you are unsure which parts need high fidelity, or if materials are a barrier. Bring your planning sheet.

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