Paper prototyping kit.

Hi guys!

I'm Marcin co-founder of UXpin. We're glad that you like the idea. Thank you all!

This is true that paper prototyping is widely used technique. As far as we know huge companies (including Microsoft) are using paper prototyping since late '80s.

We've tried to make it more convenient and effective. Usually if you make a mistake on your sketch, you need to sketch everything all over again. If you cut your prototype in the pieces everything will be soon in a huge mess (I've tried that many times). Putting that and few more arguments in order lead us to creatng UXpin.

We also tried to make it as cheap as possible (but keeping great quality!), because usually paper prototyping is free of charge technique (unlike expensive software for wireframing).

We're bunch of guys from inside of the UX field (proudly working as a R&D team in one of the best eCommerce companies in Easter Europe), so we think we understand what is bothering you all while you're prototyping on paper. But obviously we are open for any remarks and comments.

We're working on videos that will let you have a look on a UXpin kit.

Thanks one more for mentioning us! Take care!

I can't believe I have to say this, but this isn't a spoof, nor is it a silly idea.

Paper prototyping is a widely used technique in UX design.

There is a well known book about it (http://www.paperprototyping.com/), an article on A List Apart (http://www.alistapart.com/articles/paperprototyping/), and one by (gasp) Jakob Nielsen (http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030414.html). The Nielsen Norman Group uses it (http://www.nngroup.com/reports/prototyping/video_stills.html), and it's taught in many (most?) UX design courses.

No matter how comfortable you are with your digital tool of choice, nothing is quite as immediate as moving bits of paper around, especially in a collaborative environment. Plus it has the added advantage that you can test paper prototypes with users without them mistaking it for the final thing.

As for the kit itself, I think the idea is cute, and the price is reasonable. It's not much more than the cost of the paper itself.

For a minute, I thought it was a spoof.

One problem though: It clearly needs a better name. I suspect paper.ly would do the job. Or papr. Then finding venture capital shouldn't be a problem.

Similar idea as the UI stencil kit (http://www.uistencils.com/products/website-stencil-kit) that comes with the browser pad (http://www.uistencils.com/products/browser-sketch-pad).

I've been lusting a bit on these stencils but don't really have a good explanation as to why I would need them :) I'm not sure I would use them, but I really like them as objects.

Since it hasn't been mentioned here yet, I'll recommend:

http://konigi.com/tools/graph-paper

You may have to print it yourself. They used to sell this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wireframe-Graph-Paper-Notepad/dp/B0026...

Web sites may be digital, but ideas are organic. Paper and pen involve more of your senses when getting ideas into shape.

What exactly do I get? There's a lot of breezy text talking about how great and cool this concept is, yet I can't find a concrete description of what I'm paying for. What types of stickies are included? How many of each?

A better approach might be to detail the contents, then demo the different types of projects I can apply this tool to. Present specific situations I can imagine myself in, and how the tool is saving me time.

I think the site would really benefit from having a video.

I find it a great idea. I hit the purchase button, but what? Shipping for $9 to North Africa? Are you sure it's $9. How does that ship that cheap?

And for prototyping for the iPhone, checkout my stationary at http://paperwireframes.com

Finally, a multitouch prototyping tool.

Add unique patterns to the components (like Anoto dots [1]), then you could take a photo and have software generate the HTML.

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anoto

This is getting a little ridiculous.