The Official 5-Day Design Sprint

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Thursday: Prototype

3. Build the prototype

Ready, set, build!

As you build the prototype, you’ll want to adopt the prototype mindset, build to a Goldilocks quality, and then stitch it all together.

Prototype mindset

Building a facade may be uncomfortable for you and your team. You’ll need a temporary change of philosophy, which we call the “prototype mindset”:

You can prototype anything.

Prototypes are disposable.

Build just enough to learn, but not more.

The prototype must appear real. (p. 168)

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Goldilocks quality

The distinction between feedback and reaction is crucial. You want to create a prototype with just enough quality to evoke honest reactions from customers. (p. 170)

If the quality is too low, people won’t believe the prototype is a real product. If the quality is too high, you’ll be working all night and you won’t finish. You need Goldilocks quality. Not too high, not too low, but just right.

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Stitch it together

As individual sections of the prototype near completion, the

@Stitcher⁠

moves in. It’s the Stitcher’s job to make the prototype consistent from beginning to end—and ensure that every step is as realistic as possible.

Add your finished prototype links here 👇

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Figma file⁠

(example)

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Coda doc⁠

(example)

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Squarespace site⁠

(example)

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4. Do a trial run⁠

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Gallery

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