Prototyping

The prototyping process very unclear at times, but ultimately it gave our project much needed direction. Initially our group was unsure how to create a prototype for an alteration of a rewards program. There was discord over whether the prototype should be a mobile app or a website, as well as what software should be used to create them. In discussions determining what prototype to create my group members and I were forced to focus the scope of our entire proposal. We prioritized the creation of a website which came with the realization that integration with local communities/cultures was the core of our project and should be emphasized more than incentives for carbon-reducing practices. In my opinion, this was the most important evolution of our project. Changing the culture and experience of travel is the most unique and impactful aspect of our project, but we only realized this indirectly, through discussions about the prototyping. In this way the prototyping process was helpful because it created a concrete element of our project for people to interact with, but more importantly it give invaluable clarity on what the purpose of our project should be.