I use mockups/sketches extensively – visio, paper & pen and more recently sketchflow. Iteration with the customer in this process has been key to delivering a great end product. I recently inherited a project that was done by a large(ish) consulting firm that did very little iteration and the end product was not what anyone expected.

I never thought of a high fidelity design as a “limiter” when handed to a developer – but you are so right. I have fallen into the trap myself as a developer. I have also been frustrated when developers working with me come back with their end product and don’t think beyond the shiny design.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Michael

I couldn’t agree more, and I wish I had daylight in there. But part of the thing is we have to work within the space constraints we have. This building is built into a hill, and the space allocated is technically “underground”, and so, it is what it is.

If I had budget and time to build the perfect team facility, it wouldn’t look like this. But this is the best we could do, and it’s working.

I work in Denmark, and I think there’s a law there stipulating that there should be daylight at work if feasible.

For good reasons I think. I’m no expert, but googling gives a lot of research on the topic. (But above all, I personally feel much better when sitting by a window.) Example:

”
Studies have also demonstrated the positive impact of natural light on performance. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory completed several studies on the effect of daylight on student performance. A study at a San Juan Capistrano
, Calif. school demonstrated that students with the most daylight in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math comprehension and 26% faster on reading comprehension tests in one year, compared with those with minimal exposure to natural light. Similarly, students in classrooms with the largest window surface areas progressed 15% faster in math and 23% faster in reading than those in classrooms with minimal window surface areas. Students in a space with a well-designed skylight improved 20% faster than students without a skylight.
”

- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Improving+indoor+office+environment+boosts+productivity-a0149316829