What is 'paper prototyping' used for?

Paper prototyping is a valuable technique used in user interface design where ideas for interfaces or processes are sketched using paper and pencil. This approach allows designers and stakeholders to visualize concepts quickly and make changes easily without heavy investment in time or resources.

The use of paper prototypes facilitates discussions about how users will interact with the product and helps identify usability issues early in the design process. By representing screens, buttons, and navigation systems in a tangible way, teams can gather feedback and iterate efficiently. This method is particularly effective in the early stages of development, allowing teams to focus on user experience before committing to coding and other high-fidelity designs.

While other options relate to aspects of software and interface development, they do not capture the essence of what paper prototyping achieves—creating a simple, visual representation of an interface concept that can be easily modified based on feedback.