Low-fi
Audience: Whether you’re developing next-gen AI systems, a website or corporate culture there are lessons to be learned from humble activities such as sketching, wire-framing and conceptual design. This is a medium-technical read.
In this 500(ish) words or less…
We take the humble idea of low-fidelity UX work and examine how it can be applied in practical product, project and organisational contexts.
Low-fidelity (low-fi) thinking and outputs have existed in UX and related fields forever. Their relatively perceived low-cost and easy access have, in the past, made methods such as sketching, wire-framing and conceptual development a core part of design/research practice and beyond. But as we move into an uncertain but exciting AI driven future within business, technology and design, do low-fidelity practice and methods still have a place in what we do and how we shape the future? And are there lessons to be learned from behavioural science and organisational change practice that can benefit all of us, not just those in UX? Let’s find out.
If you’re not familiar with low-fidelity thinking or methods, then take a look at the work below (fig 1 & 2), these two outputs show a sketch/notes and low-fi mock-up from some work I produced for this article (fictitious app for healthy food geo-locating). Sketching is nothing new, externalising our thoughts or cognition is a fundamental part of our essence as humans, it’s how we communicate, experiment and learn. Then as we move into more structured low-fi work in a mock-up we can see the shift from rough ideas to early form and bringing in thought and refinement ideas for experimentation.
Fig 1. Sketching/annotation to help guide me through my initial thought process, note that this is neither “pretty” nor “good” but essential in moving my process forward.
Fig 2. Low-fi activities to help me model my thought process in more detail. I’m thinking about, product, research, design choices and purpose in what I’m doing. This is neither pretty nor visual, but has massive value in my decision making process.
None of this is breaking news, but shifts in how we access ideas through technology, evolving process(es) and increasing pressures on product delivery and development often mean that the perceived value of low-fi work is hard to justify, or designers and researchers just feel more comfortable producing work closer to the final product.
Whilst there are of course massive benefits of “prototyping-in-code” (e.g. literally and/or in high-fidelity) there is still significant value in taking a more low-fi approach regardless of whether you’re a designer, researcher, innovation consultant or senior-exec working on a complex problem. Consider three points below.
1. Psychological benefits of low-fi prototyping and/or thinking
Back in 2012, researchers found that low-fidelity work supports a sense of forward momentum and offers opportunity to reframe failure, or work against harmful perfectionism. If an individual or team solving complex challenges can enhance their belief(s) about their creative problem solving abilities through low-fidelity work, then that is a behavioural win. I often talk about the importance of mindset for skill development, what better way to encourage such mindset & behaviours through safe-failure and a sense of accomplishment. Complex business requires inclusive culture whereby individuals feel safe and supported in experimentation and failure, low-fi work could be a mechanism to help them get there.
💡 Principle: Idea progression comes from the ability to move forward in complex-problem solving. Creating a safe space whereby low-fi work can reduce fear of failure could dramatically improve the way individuals and teams think and work, if implemented properly.
2. Job crafting and playful work design
Elements of low-fidelity work from methods such as sketching, wire-framing and conceptual design may also appear to translate well into the way work is accomplished within organisations. Job crafting and playful work design (PWD) are seen as proactive behaviours that employees use to modify their work environment, which may lead to enhanced job performance, particularly during periods of low work pressure. This suggests that integrating playful or experimental elements in work design derived from low-fi methods may allow employees to tailor their jobs to better fit their skills and interests, whilst also injecting a sense of fun and play, which can be particularly beneficial in fostering a creative and engaging work atmosphere. That’s a win.
💡 Principle: This low-fi approach advocates for flexible, employee-centred work design that encourages personalisation and creativity, aiming to make the work environment not just more efficient, but also more enjoyable and fulfilling. Culture, culture, culture.
3. Low-fi thinking in product, project and organisational (delivery) flexibility
We now move on to the idea of low-fidelity thinking. Low-fidelity thinking in organisations often relates to the use of simple, adaptable, and quickly iterative approaches in tasks (or jobs to be done) and project or product development. For example, software design often relies on complex interdisciplinary teams and process, and whilst there may be some “delivery-glue” holding things together, enabling individuals to think and deliver in adaptable, iterative ways is a powerful approach. This aligns with the essence of job crafting, where employees adjust their roles and responsibilities in dynamic and sometimes informal ways, and, where true innovation sometimes happens. In-fact more recent researches demonstrates the potential value of autonomy in relation to job-satisfaction, something that low-fidelity thinking and (delivery) flexible organisations could enable.
Organisational culture that values rapid testing, iteration and failure—key principles in both low-fidelity design may often leverage the slim advantage desired by those in charge. Of course, every industry is different and certain processes (e.g. regulatory ones) often require or demand specific ways of doing things, so think critically and carefully about how flexible your organisation is or should be.
💡 Principle: The application of low-fidelity thinking in organisational contexts, highlighs simplicity, adaptability, and iterative processes as fundamental to enhancing business, product/project flexibility and innovation practice.
Reflection 🤔
Low-fidelity (low-fi) practices, including sketching and wire-framing, have been integral to UX due to their perceived cost-effectiveness and ease of use. As we venture into an AI-driven future, these humble methods continue to offer valuable lessons from product to organisational change, beneficial not only to UX professionals but everyone wanting to improve their thinking and flexible (innovation) practice. This simple, low-fi approach and mindset may foster psychological benefits, enhancing job crafting, promoting organisational flexibility (where appropriate) and creative problem-solving/innovation in complex business environments. All you need is a pen.
To think about from this 500 words:
Psychological advantages of Low-Fi methods Low-fidelity methods may encourage progression in problem-solving by creating a safe environment that might help fear of failure and perfectionism. This can boost confidence in creative capabilities and foster a supportive culture for experimentation and learning.
Enhancement through job crafting and Playful Work Design (PWD) Integrating low-fi methods may transform the workplace. This creative and autonomous approach allows employees to adapt and tailor their roles iteratively, potentially enhancing job performance by making work more enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.
Organisational culture and Low-Fi principles A culture that values quick testing, iteration, and flexibility can leverage low-fidelity design principles to maintain a competitive edge. This is particularly crucial in industries with rigid and necessary processes, where a balanced approach to flexibility can lead to effective innovation.
What are 500 words or less?
Short-form pieces around behavioural science, digital transformation, applied research, data-science, business and domain specific UX interests from the brain of Haydyn Phillips. Ideas are distilled, reduced and challenged in as few words as possible, therefore full concepts may not be articulated as comprehensively as some wish.
Often I’ll provide data supported by relevant literature. However, this may be erroneous, out of date or de-bunked, so please take the time to do your own investigations if you’re so inclined. I don’t write politically, culturally or organisationally divisive or critical narratives, I aim to educate, interrogate and provide perspectives to help people think critically about their career and behaviours in digital and beyond.
None of this is medical, legal or professional advice. Out of respect, this information is purely my opinion based on experience and does not necessarily represent the views of the company I work for or other institutions I am affiliated with.
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