Chapter 5 - Define Prototype Content and Fidelity

Abstract

Fidelity is the level of detail at which content is rendered in an interface. Prototype content can be rendered in a continuum from lowest to highest fidelity, specifically, the fidelity of visual look, interaction behaviors, navigation flow, and other aspects of the user experience as reflected by prototyping content. Defining prototype content and fidelity determines how much time and resources need to be spent on the prototype. A prototype with too high a fidelity wastes resources by spending time creating a level of detail that will need to be done all over again in later iterations. A prototype with too low a fidelity results in not getting enough information to validate requirements and assumptions. Fidelity can be selected by choosing the content and setting its fidelity. This chapter discusses the prototyping content considerations needed to address and best achieve the prototyping needs. This discussion includes mixing fidelities and other variables to emphasize and de-emphasize different aspects of a prototype for usability and presentation purposes.