Editing Paper prototyping (section)

== Benefits ==
Paper prototyping saves time and money, since it enables developers to test product interfaces (from software and websites to cell phones and microwave ovens) before they write code or begin development. This also allows for easy and inexpensive modification to existing designs, which makes this method useful in the early phases of design. Using paper prototyping allows the entire creative team to be involved in the process, which eliminates the chance of someone with key information not being involved in the design process. Another benefit of paper prototyping is that users feel more comfortable being critical of the mock-up because it doesn't have a polished look.<ref name="klee">{{cite web |url= https://articles.uie.com/prototyping_tips/ |title=Five paper prototyping tips |last1=Klee |first1=M. | date=2000 }}</ref>

There are different methods of paper prototyping, each of them showing several benefits regarding the communication within the development team, as well as the quality of the product being developed. In the development team, paper prototypes can serve as a visual specification of the graphical user interface – and by this means, assure the quality of the software. Prototyping forces a more complete design of the user interface to be captured. In team meetings, it provides a communication base between the team members. Testing prototypes at an early stage of development helps to identify software usability problems even before any code is written. The costs and annoyances of later changes are reduced, the support burden is lowered, and the overall quality of the software or website is increased.<ref name="arnowitz">{{cite book |last1= Arnowitz |first1=J. |last2= Arent |first2=M. |last3= Berger |first3=N. |date=2006 |title=Effective Prototyping for software makers |publisher=[[Morgan Kaufmann]]}}</ref>

Paper prototyping is a quick way to generate digital ideas by sketching on paper. In tight VPC workshop, quick ideas need to be explored and evaluated. Paper prototyping is usually the preferred tool to generate ideas visually and to evaluate them within the team and with target customers.