Finding opportunities to include users early in the design process, during conceptualization and first sketching stages, can be crucial to building user-centered products. In mobile app design, however, accounting for the intricacies of hand gestures and UI interactions becomes tricky without polished designs, when the idea is already in a complete state. This talk introduces a methodology that adapts successful practices like the Design Sprint and paper prototyping to the evolving landscape of mobile. Specifically, 3D printed models of mobile phones are combined with paper “interfaces” and erasable markers to enable earlier design sprints. The result is an inexpensive and efficient methodology for mobile testing, providing a tool for teams to communicate and test concepts with end users.

1. FROM BAKING CAKES
TO M A R I N AT I N G S T E A K S
EXPL ORING DESIGN IN MOB IL E

2. U X R E S E A R C H E R
EMMA CRAIG

4. 300k+
Active Stores
150+
Countries
10+
Channels

7. 49.7%
Desktop
50.3%
Mobile

10. B A K I N G M A K E S
ME HAPPY

11. C O O K I N G D O E S
N O T

12. Think
Prioritize
problem
within the scope
of company
vision.
Explore
First
attempt at
solution(s),
explore the
possibilities.
Build
Build and
refine the
best
solution.
Launch
Validate the final
solution with
100% of
customers.
Tweak
Refine the
roadmap using
metrics and
customer
feedback.
Idea
Explore the
problem space
and gather
context.

13. Improve design
Add new features
Increase usage
Make people happy ✨

14. Improve design
Add new features
Increase usage
Make people happy

15. Design
Software
Higher cost (time and effort)
Design appears finished
Less opportunity for collaboration

16. Paper
Prototypes
No hand interactions or gestures
Screen flow disruption
Context switching and activity overload

17. Paper
Prototypes

18. Case Study: 3D Printing for Mobile Testing

19. Step 1: Why are we hungry?

20. Step 2: Meal Plan

21. Step 3: Ingredients

22. Step 4: Tastebuds

23. Step 4: Tastebuds

24. Step 4: Tastebuds

25. Step 5: Garnish

28. 28
THANK YOU

29. QUESTIONS?

30. https://ecotonos.com/products/ux-phone