What it is for:A paper prototype is a rough, hand-drawn version of a screen, form or service step. You walk away with a tested set of screens, a list of the places where users struggled, and a revised design that fixes the biggest problems.
Who it helps:Designers and service teams with a new form, screen, letter or kiosk flow who want evidence from users before anything is built.
When to use it
You have a concept from a design studio or crazy eights and want to see if people can use it.
A new form, letter, screen or kiosk flow is about to go to development.
The team disagrees about layout or wording and needs evidence from users.
How to use it
Choose the one task you are least sure users can complete, and write a learning question.
Draw only the screens the task needs, with real words, not placeholder text.
Rehearse once with a colleague playing the user.
Run each session without coaching, swapping sheets as the user taps.
Debrief after each user and fix problems that appear for more than one person.
Tip:Keep the drawings rough on purpose. Neat drawings invite comments on style.
Credits and sources:Original Tiremesù worksheet and wording. Further reading: 18F Methods https://github.com/18F/methods/tree/main/_methods
Full guide and film:https://www.tiremesu.com/guides/paper-prototype
