As I progress through my project, I have come to understand the importance of prototyping and usability testing. In particular, I have been working on creating a donation platform that targets Gen Z via TikTok, which enables people to donate small amounts of money to help someone else take a break.

Throughout the design process, I have digital and hand drawn paper prototypes, each time gathering feedback from the people I initially interviewed. This feedback helped me to iterate and refine my designs, ensuring that the final product meets the needs of my target audience.

What I found most valuable about prototyping was that it allowed me to quickly visualize and test different design solutions. Through the process of creating multiple prototypes, I was able to explore different design directions and validate my assumptions about what would work best for my users.

The usability testing stage was also crucial, as it helped me to identify areas where my design could be improved. I received valuable feedback on everything from the clarity of the messaging to the ease of use of the donation process. This feedback was instrumental in refining my designs and improving the overall user experience.

While the process of prototyping and usability testing can be time-consuming, I believe it is an essential part of the design process. By involving users early on in the design process, we can ensure that the final product is both usable and effective in meeting the needs of our target audience.

As I move forward in my project, I plan to continue utilizing prototyping and usability testing to ensure that my design solutions are effective and user-friendly. By doing so, I hope to create a platform that not only helps people take a break and acknolwedge the mental health benefits with taking a break.

Visual notes from the segment on usability testing this week: