Creative prototyping tools: what interaction designers really need to produce advanced user interface concepts

Prototyping is an important well accepted and compelling technique for any person dealing with the design of effective communication between people and technology. We all use some “tool” to enlive our ideas and to tell our stories to all of the other people involved during development of new and alternative riser interface concepts. The word “tool” covers all sorts of means to tell these stories. Available prototyping tools run behind the need of interaction designers in particular with the goal to invent new forms of interaction. Do they really deserve the name “prototyping” tool? Based on the experiences of the panelists the panel should discuss the current situation and proclaim thinking in the direction of more designer oriented and flexible prototyping support. Panelists should discuss their vision of an “ideal” prototyping environment useful for designers and not only suited for programmers. The discussion should include support for the whole activity of innovation (from high level conceptual design and idea sketching to detailed design activities) and support for non style guide oriented interaction designs. At the beginning of the panel a short introduction to the main issues of the panel is given by the moderator. This will be followed by the initial position presentations of the panelists. The panelists cover the topic by adressing their experiences based on their different backgrounds and fields of experience. Examples will be provided. Time will be reserved for interaction with the audience. At the end of the panel the panelists will be asked to give a personal summery of the discussion and will be particularly assked to address the most important parts of their dreams of an ideal prototyping tool. The panel is closed by a short resume.