Visual fidelity of video prototypes and user feedback: a case study

This paper addresses the debate regarding the respective merits of high and low fidelity prototypes, in the domain of video prototyping. Video prototyping is a popular tool for interface designers. Despite this, there is practically no research reported to date examining the fidelity of the design representation that the video prototype should manifest. We report a case study where the same design concept was rendered on video in two formats with differing degree of visual fidelity: animated paper cut-outs (low visual fidelity) versus a video with real actors, edited to simulate computer output (high visual fidelity). A two-pronged comparative evaluation was carried out: a between-subjects questionnaire survey, consisting of AttrakDiff, open-ended questions completed by 99 participants, and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 9 participants. The results did not reveal any differences regarding the amount or quality of feedback one should expect from a low or a high fidelity video. These results lead us to suggest that the paper cut out animation is a valid prototype that should be explored more by interaction designers for obtaining early user feedback at low cost.