Rapid Prototype Blog

Archive for December, 2009

I need to do some VERY RAPID prototyping (a use-once and throw-away application) and it has to be in 100% pure Java. Is there any Java framework which provides the same rapid development (especially database integration) as Ruby On Rails?
Thanks

You’re going to start a new web project. Thrilling. You have a great idea, or maybe a big assignment, and have to work it through the initial ideas to the final launch. From wireframe to done. How to get there?

Justinmind Prototyper is a software suite done to help you along these steps. It’s meant to organize and facilitate communication between several professionals involved in any site or application development.

Justinmind Agile Methodology for Software and App Development

At Justinmind, we suggest a Methodology based on Agile, with four main steps:

Functional Requirements Capture, in which users research, discuss and decide what is the requirements, what should be done and create a document where it should be explicated. Low Fidelity Prototyping, in which professionals create a wireframe of the project, which describes how’s it going to be, what are the links, the content and the basic layout. How it’s going to work, all the steps, phases and requirements? With text? A simple wireframe that shows where things will be? High Fidelity Prototyping, in which users simulate the final product with an easy drag and drop application creator. Sometimes, you need to show relations. What kind of information a box shows when a button gets clicked, and how that colour changes when the mouse goes over. All this must be in the final product, so it has to be planned, specified and coded. So, you have to put this kind of information on the final project. In this case, a lo-fi wireframe is not enough. These wireframes work just as a map of the web, but for a bigger site, you’ll need to show the relations. So, the ideal solution is a high-fidelity screen mockup. A file that works just as if it was the real website, reacting and interacting with the user. That cannot be done with a simple drawing tool, neither with paper. Validation, in which the simulation is tested with real users, project managers, and client/co-workers. Then it’s all documented and registered to allow the final developers (coders, designers, etc) to build it exactly as it was approved.

This four-iteration cycle should last for approximately a month, from scratch to fully functional project, with a team working full time. The prototyping phase normally takes 10-15 days on average for a project with 80 screens.

If you liked this article, follow our blog’s feed or follow us on twitter.

Jay Jacobs from Rapid Sheet Metal has found great value in exhibiting at Regional AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expos.  According to Jacobs, “Amcon offers several unique attributes.  Shows in locations that are in big established markets as well as small, niche markets; an ease of exhibiting (paperwork, accessibility to show personnel, and particularly setup – no Union hassles); the follow up opportunity of requesting contact info from select target companies that did not make it to the show; and the opportunity to present a seminar to attendees.”

Jacobs was also able to quantify the results expected from an Amcon Expo by noting, “We expect to walk away with close to 100 leads of which we calculate roughly 25-30% will quote us and 10-15% will become customers over the next two years.  It is also an opportunity to make a lot of sales calls – the customers come to us rather than us driving around for a couple days seeing each of them individually.”

In evaluating who should attend an AmCon show, Jacobs said, “I strongly believe line mechanical engineers who are designing components should attend (as well as the obvious engineering managers and purchasing agents/ managers).  Manufacturing technology is changing quickly and this is a hands-on opportunity to talk to jobshops on the front-lines of what is now possible in specific manufacturing processes…IE, tolerances, tooling alternatives, new machining center capabilities, etc.”

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant.  Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19.  To register for these shows go to www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

The Grand Rapids, Michigan event will be held at DeVos Place on September 17-18, 2008.  The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant.

According to Kati Olson, President, “We are excited to be returning to the Michigan market for this show in the fall of 2008. AmCon is the only show in Michigan specifically targeting OEM engineering and purchasing professionals who are looking for job shop and contract manufacturing services. Highly qualified prospects, often with blueprints in hand, will come from throughout Michigan, and northern Indiana.”

Top manufacturers from Michigan and Indiana sent engineers and buyers to the 2007 show. Below is just a sample of some of the firms that attended last year:

AAR Mobility Systems, Access Business Group, ADAC Automotive, Altocor, American Axle & Mfg., Amway, American Seating, Behr Industries Corp., Bosch Rexroth, Brunswick Bowling, Cascade Engineering, Caterpillar, Chrysler, Cummins Bridgeway, Dart Container, Delphi Automotive, Dematic, Denso Mfg. MI, Dover Corp., Eaton Corp.,  Flexfab LLC, Ford Motor Company, GE Aviation, GM Design PPO, General Motors, Gentex Corp., Gill Industries, Harbor Industries, Hart & Cooley, Haworth, Herman Miller, Hitachi Automotive, Holland Group, Howard Miller, Howmet, Johnson Controls, Johnson Technology, L-3 Communications, LuK USA LLC, Lacks Enterprises,  Magna Donnelly, Mahle Powertrain, Newmar Corp., ODL, Inc., Parker Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Paulstra, CRC, Pridgeon & Clay, Royal Plastics, Shape Corp., Siemans OGS, Steelcase NA, Steelcase Wood, Stryker Instruments, Stryker Medical, Symmetry Medical, TAC Manufacturing, Trane, Unisys,  and Viking Corp.

Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19. 

Register today to attend any of these shows at: www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

Jay Jacobs from Rapid Sheet Metal has found great value in exhibiting at Regional AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expos.  Jacobs was able to quantify the results expected from an Amcon Expo by noting, “We expect to walk away with close to 100 leads of which we calculate roughly 25-30% will quote us and 10-15% will become customers over the next two years.  It is also an opportunity to make a lot of sales calls – the customers come to us rather than us driving around for a couple days seeing each of them individually.”

According to Jacobs, “Amcon offers several unique attributes.  Shows in locations that are in big established markets as well as small, niche markets; an ease of exhibiting (paperwork, accessibility to show personnel, and particularly setup – no Union hassles); the follow up opportunity of requesting contact info from select target companies that did not make it to the show; and the opportunity to present a seminar to attendees.”

In evaluating who should attend an AmCon show, Jacobs said, “I strongly believe line mechanical engineers who are designing components should attend (as well as the obvious engineering managers and purchasing agents/ managers).  Manufacturing technology is changing quickly and this is a hands-on opportunity to talk to jobshops on the front-lines of what is now possible in specific manufacturing processes…IE, tolerances, tooling alternatives, new machining center capabilities, etc.”

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant.  Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19.  To register for these shows go to www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

These are some tips to creating wireframe navigation flowcharts for your projects using Justinmind Prototyper. Use them to understand how users will interact with your website or software.

Guide your users every time

In choosing styles for navigational elements you should try to reach a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Every page must tell the users where they are, and what they’re going to do after. The navigation flowchart is also known as navigation map because of it. The project managers must understand what users do in each and every step, and the designers must take care to show it to the users.

You don’t control how users get to your site. They don’t always come to the homepage, so you must show them there are other pages with content that might interest them. Also, a home link is always recommended.

Simplify the paths through your wireframe

Users don’t want to click several times to reach some information. So, you must create funnels and understand how they move throughout your site to simplify their ways. For example, if almost everyone that gets to your homepage goes to the product page, and then to a specific product, you should consider inserting a direct link from your home to that product.

Sometimes, product managers want users to read everything about their product or service, but that’s not the way users think. It may hinder them from visiting you again.

Think about accessibility issues

Even in the flowchart, you must think about scenarios that involve requirements for people with disabilities. Your project must have a scenario that guides these users and help them find their way.

Start with the main routines but don’t forget the subroutines

Most users will use your site for just one thing: the main one. But sometimes users will use it in several unexpected ways. These can be traced and thought about when you’re planning the navigation map.

Try to include all possibilities and avoid being surprised. Some users can be lost somewhere, because you didn’t think about that possibility. Other way of detecting it is doing usability tests with a simulated hi-fi prototype. That could help you detect a problem long before it happens in a real live website or program.

Justinmind Prototyper is an authoring tool for high fidelity wireframes and prototypes. If you’re interested, follow our blog’s feed or follow us on twitter.

Jay Jacobs from Rapid Sheet Metal has found great value in exhibiting at Regional AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expos.  In evaluating who should attend an AmCon show, Jacobs said, “I strongly believe line mechanical engineers who are designing components should attend (as well as the obvious engineering managers and purchasing agents/ managers).  Manufacturing technology is changing quickly and this is a hands-on opportunity to talk to jobshops on the front-lines of what is now possible in specific manufacturing processes…IE, tolerances, tooling alternatives, new machining center capabilities, etc.”

According to Jacobs, “Amcon offers several unique attributes.  Shows in locations that are in big established markets as well as small, niche markets; an ease of exhibiting (paperwork, accessibility to show personnel, and particularly setup – no Union hassles); the follow up opportunity of requesting contact info from select target companies that did not make it to the show; and the opportunity to present a seminar to attendees.”

Jacobs was also able to quantify the results expected from an Amcon Expo by noting, “We expect to walk away with close to 100 leads of which we calculate roughly 25-30% will quote us and 10-15% will become customers over the next two years.  It is also an opportunity to make a lot of sales calls – the customers come to us rather than us driving around for a couple days seeing each of them individually.”

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant.  Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19.  To register for these shows go to www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

Before any software or website project, it’s vital to test and verify if what’s done is exactly what was initially designed. Practice says that is better to prevent than to fix, so many UX designers nowadays are developing techniques to test and prevent errors using wireframes and prototypes.

One of the main uses for hi-fi simulations is usability testing. With a prototype, you can test all user interactions, gather data and then have the modifications and comments to your clients and all team involved in the project. For this, you need to have a hi-fi wireframe made with Justinmind Prototyper and record users’ reactions, comments and notes.

Several UX designers use complete prototype to simulate a website or software experience, and even with the use of real data to make it work just like it was a programmed piece of software. This saves time and teamwork, and may also improve coding quality, since it generates a better documented process.

Why should you test your functional wireframes

Dana Chisnell has a great article about when you should record usability sessions. It involves what you will and may do with testing, which kinds of results you should expect and even legal issues. It’s a great material.

Sometimes you have a very clear opinion about your idea, but the final users don’t understand. It may seem obvious for those involved in the project, but not for everyone. And they are the ones who will use and buy what you’re working in. So, testing may help you prevent mistakes and huge errors.

But what if your testing shows you’ve got to change a lot of things? Imagine the countless hours of work lost? And the other ones you’ll need to put into the project? This can be avoided using functional wireframes.

How should you do usability tests

To test a functional mockup, you need to follow several steps. It’s not hard, and it’s a much documented procedure. There’s a great article from Microsoft that explains how to define tasks, how many people you need, how to facilitate, moderate and record. (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd920305.aspx)

Usability testing is very important, and we believe Justinmind Prototyper can be a great help to everyone involved in the activity.

Tools for testing: what you should use

There are plenty of options for recording screen, mouse track and users’ faces with a camera. Some solutions were listed in one of our blog posts for recording screen and mouse movements. You can use some camera recording software like Silverback (mac only) for record faces and audio. Then, you’ll have plenty of data to analyse.

The folks at Boxes and Arrows wrote a great review of software necessary to record and track usability testing.

If you want more information about high fidelity wireframes and website prototyping, subscribe to Justinmind’s blog feed or drop us a line on twitter.

Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.  

Top manufacturers from Michigan and Indiana sent engineers and buyers to the 2007 AmCon Michigan show. Below is just a sample of some of the firms that attended last year:  AAR Mobility Systems, Access Business Group, ADAC Automotive, Altocor, American Axle & Mfg., Amway, American Seating, Behr Industries Corp., Bosch Rexroth, Brunswick Bowling, Cascade Engineering, Caterpillar, Chrysler, Cummins Bridgeway, Dart Container, Delphi Automotive, Dematic, Denso Mfg. MI, Dover Corp., Eaton Corp.,  Flexfab LLC, Ford Motor Company, GE Aviation, GM Design PPO, General Motors, Gentex Corp., Gill Industries, Harbor Industries, Hart & Cooley, Haworth, Herman Miller, Hitachi Automotive, Holland Group, Howard Miller, Howmet, Johnson Controls, Johnson Technology, L-3 Communications, LuK USA LLC, Lacks Enterprises,  Magna Donnelly, Mahle Powertrain, Newmar Corp., ODL, Inc., Parker Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Paulstra, CRC, Pridgeon & Clay, Royal Plastics, Shape Corp., Siemans OGS, Steelcase NA, Steelcase Wood, Stryker Instruments, Stryker Medical, Symmetry Medical, TAC Manufacturing, Trane, Unisys,  and Viking Corp.

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant. The Grand Rapids, Michigan event will be held at DeVos Place on September 17-18, 2008.

According to Kati Olson, President, “We are excited to be returning to the Michigan market for this show in the fall of 2008. AmCon is the only show in Michigan specifically targeting OEM engineering and purchasing professionals who are looking for job shop and contract manufacturing services. Highly qualified prospects, often with blueprints in hand, will come from throughout Michigan, and northern Indiana.”

Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours. Fall 2008 AmCon shows include Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 17-18; Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, MN – Oct. 7-8; Phoenix, AZ – Oct. 14-15; Houston, TX – Oct. 29-30; Greensboro, NC – Nov. 18-19.   Register today to attend any of these shows at: www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680

that are this sentence say ? can someone translate it into simple english ?
A more complete definition of rapid prototyping can therefore be given as the use of 3D computer geometry in the production of components using a layer-based additive build process in condensed time-scales.
does the beginning say : a definition of RP has been given to this : a use of …….. ?