How to transform product culture with paper prototyping

Creative freedom within product teams enhances inclusivity and productivity, particularly when all members, not just designers, can contribute ideas to the final product. This freedom is amplified through practices like paper prototyping, which encourages a democratic design culture by allowing everyone, regardless of their role, to participate in the ideation process. Although paper prototyping is slower than digital tools like Figma, it offers the unique advantage of fostering diverse perspectives and boosting mental health at work by allowing team members to step away from screens. This method supports both bottom-up and top-down product management approaches, providing a balance between creative freedom and organizational structure. Tools such as sketching supplies and digital conversion apps facilitate this process, enabling teams to translate paper ideas into digital prototypes efficiently. Paper prototyping is praised for its accessibility and its ability to engage non-designers in the creative process, making it a versatile tool in product design methodologies like design sprints and design thinking.