Thursday: Prototyping Quickly and Effectively

Day 4 of 5: Make it real.
 Thursday is all about turning your chosen solution into a realistic prototype; something you can put in front of users tomorrow. But this isn’t about building the full product. The goal is to fake it just enough to get honest feedback.
Start by reviewing the storyboard created on Wednesday. Break the work into clear parts and assign roles:
One person focuses on screens and layout
Another writes content and labels
Someone else handles any interactive elements or simulations
The key is to move fast and use tools you already know. Whether it’s Figma, Keynote, Canva, or Google Slides; choose what gets the job done quickly. Your prototype needs to feel real to users, even if it’s held together with tape behind the scenes.
Remember: you’re not building a product; you’re building a learning tool. That means focusing on the core experience you want to test. Polish only the parts that users will interact with. The rest can be smoke and mirrors.
Key Takeaways:
Prototype = illusion, not implementation: Build just enough to simulate the experience.
Divide and conquer: Assign clear roles and build in parallel to finish in a day.
Use familiar tools: Speed is more important than fidelity. Stick to what your team knows.
Focus on the test: Only prototype what you need to validate tomorrow.
What are your favorite tools or hacks for building fast prototypes? Have you ever created something overnight just to test an idea?
 Share your tips or stories