Inspire Team

Paper Plane Prototyping

by for .  
#design thinking
30 - 45

Goal

The Paper Plane Prototyping activity allows participants to understand and apply the foundational principles of prototyping associated with design thinking. Participants will go through a series of steps to prototype a paper plane, fostering creativity, iteration, and problem-solving skills.

Materials

    Instructions

    1. Introduce the Activity: Questions to ask:

      • Can you think of something you use in everyday life that has evolved over the years? (Cell phone, computer, car, snow machine, fishing rod, lock and key etc)

      • Why do you think these inventions evolved?

      • How did people know they needed to be modified or enhanced?


    • Explain the purpose:

      • to learn and apply the principles of prototyping in a hands-on and creative manner.

    • Emphasize that prototyping is an iterative process that allows for exploration, learning, and refinement of ideas.


    1. Provide an Overview of Prototyping


    • Briefly explain the concept of prototyping and its role in the design thinking process.

    • Highlight that prototyping helps to visualize, test, and improve ideas by creating tangible representations of a product or service.


    1. Explain the Paper Plane Challenge


    • Introduce the challenge of prototyping a paper plane.

    • Emphasize that the goal is not to create the perfect paper plane but to iterate and improve upon it using design thinking principles.


    1. Step-by-Step Prototyping Process:


    1. Define: Instruct participants to define the goal or purpose of their paper plane.

      • What are they trying to achieve?

        • Do they want their plane to go the furthest?

        • Do they want it to be the best looking plane?

        • The largest? The smallest?

        • Perhaps they have multiple goals they want to achieve with their prototype.


    Alone, or with a partner learners will:

    1. Ideate:

      • generate multiple ideas for their paper plane design, considering different shapes, sizes, and features.

      • Brainstorm ideas they know work (from when they have made paper airplanes in the past, or when they have seen/flown an airplane), and ideas they know don’t work or don’t work well.

    2. Sketch:

      • sketch their selected paper plane design, including key dimensions and features.

    3. Create:

      • Provide participants with paper and any additional materials needed (e.g., scissors, tape, markers) to:

        • create their paper plane prototypes based on their sketched designs.

    4. Test and Iterate:

      • Facilitate a testing session where participants fly their paper planes and:

        • observe their own creation’s performance.

        • reflect on, discuss, and note what worked well and what needs improvement.

        • iterate and make modifications to their paper planes based on their observations.

        • research if needed to learn how to improve their plane.

    5. Reflect:

      • Conclude the activity with a reflection session, allowing participants to share their learnings, challenges, and successes throughout the prototyping process.


    Once the testing phase is complete, facilitate Group Discussion:

    • Encourage participants to share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned during the prototyping process.

    • Facilitate a discussion on the value of prototyping as a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and iteration.

    Background

    Preparation

    • Gather enough materials, including paper, scissors, tape, and markers, for each participant or group.

    • Familiarize yourself with different paper plane designs or provide resources for participants to explore various designs.

    Technology Considerations

    • In-person: Ensure that the necessary materials are readily available for each participant or group.

    • Virtual: Instruct participants to have paper, scissors, tape, and markers ready before the session. Participants can create their paper planes at home, and testing can be done individually during the virtual session.


    Additional Context

    • Emphasize that the focus of the activity is on the process of prototyping rather than the end result. Encourage participants to embrace experimentation, learning from failures, and continuous improvement.

    • Create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their ideas and prototypes.

    • Emphasize the importance of active participation, collaboration, and open-mindedness during the activity.


    Tips for Localization

    • Encourage participants to draw inspiration from local cultural artifacts or transportation modes when ideating and designing their paper planes (the design does not need to be for a plane at all).

    • Consider adapting the challenge to a specific context or industry relevant to the participants, such as prototyping a paper airplane for a specific customer segment or problem-solving scenario (moving goods rather than people).


    Debrief Questions

    • How did the process of prototyping help you refine and improve your paper plane design?

    • What challenges did you encounter during the prototyping process, and how did you overcome them?

    • Reflecting on the testing and iteration phase, what modifications did you make to your paper plane design, and how did they impact its performance?

    • How does the paper plane prototyping activity relate to real-world situations where prototyping is used to develop products or services?

    • What skills or mindsets did you develop or reinforce through this activity, and how can you apply them to other problem-solving or creative endeavors?

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