IDEO designs products, spaces, services, and experiences. Earlier this year IDEO released an iPhone app of their famous Method Cards. The 51 cards containing human-centered design methods were originally released as a printed deck in 2003.
The Method Cards are intended as inspiration for designers, as well as those seeking creative spark in their work. The cards are divided into four categories: Learn, Look, Ask, and Try. Each card has an inspiring image on one side and the method instructions on the other side.You can use the cards with customers, users, or colleagues throughout all stages of a project.
One method in the Try category is Experience Prototype: "Quickly prototype a concept using available materials and use it in order to learn from simulation of the experience using the product." A fun demonstration of this method is provided by IDEO on a video where they simulate an iPhone app - Elmo's Monster Maker - using a large iPhone that was made from foam-core board. The game monster is actually a person standing behind the life-size phone frame (see the video).
Prototyping for Elmo's Monster Maker iPhone App. from IDEO on Vimeo.
