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Rough & Ready Prototyping template

A way to rapidly build a model of a new idea

Rough & Ready Prototyping

Use this template to create low-fidelity sketch models, which make it easy to generate a number of tangible concept ideas without significant monetary or time investment.

The sooner you create something for people to use, the earlier you’ll get meaningful feedback about your ideas. You can build rough models to help identify ideas that are working, as well as pinpoint weaknesses early in the process so they can be addressed before the concept is finalized.

The rough and ready prototyping template helps you:

  • Brainstorm and build ideas into prototypes for testing

  • Align on goals and desired outcomes with your team

  • Gather meaningful feedback that can inform subsequent iterations

How to use the rough and ready prototyping template

To use Mural’s rough and ready prototyping template, follow the instructions outlined below.

Step 1: Define the idea you’d like to test, and gather your team

The first step is to define the central idea, feature, or product you’d like to build, and bring together a small group of designers to help brainstorm and build the prototype.

Step 2: Outline what you want to learn

Use four categories to help frame your investigation and gain the right takeaways, so you’ll be better able to iterate based on the feedback you gather.

  • What do you want to learn from your prototype?

  • What scenarios do you want to test?

  • What tasks do you want to complete?

  • What materials do you need?

Step 3: Sketch your prototypes

Use Mural’s drawing tools, or add or upload images to flesh out your prototype — once you have your ideas sketched out, you can add them to the various contexts where users will interact with your product.

Tips for running a rough and ready prototyping template exercise

To get the most out of your road and ready prototyping session, you should:

  • Clearly define the central concept and provide as much context as possible for your team of designers to start brainstorming solutions

  • Use Mural’s private mode feature to avoid groupthink while brainstorming and anonymous voting to help determine the best options

  • Once you’ve created your prototypes, gather feedback and collect and organize it by sentiment

The Mural platform makes it easy to collaboratively ideate and build testable prototypes

With Mural features, you can get your whole team involved from start to finish as you brainstorm, design, and gather feedback from stakeholders.
Drawing

Drawing

Visualize ideas, prototype, and quickly annotate for a better-than-a-whiteboard experience.

Sticky notes & text

Sticky notes & text

Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.

Anonymous voting

Anonymous voting

Gain consensus and reach alignment quickly, either in real time or asynchronously.

Private mode

Private mode

Avoid groupthink and get authentic feedback by allowing collaborators to add content privately.

Presentation mode

Presentation mode

Build presentations collaboratively, then deliver engaging sessions that go beyond one-way talk tracks.

Real-time collaboration

Real-time collaboration

Add more productivity and engagement to meetings and calls with features to guide collaboration.

Rough & Ready Prototyping template frequently asked questions

What is rough prototyping?

What are the different types of prototyping?

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