The Importance of Prototypes in Product Design

Posted on 08 Aug 2022

As a consumer, we rarely stop and think about the design process of a product. What we lack to understand is the evolution of a product from an idea to the physical world. Instead, we admire it for either its functionality or price and make a purchase.

Though prototyping is an evolving art, incorporating new technologies and tools for the design process, it’s the foundation of design. With 3D CAD modeling and rendering software, designers can create realistic images of their designs. But, with technology comes its own set of consequences and setbacks.

In reality, though most designers can create a digital design of their product, they bypass important steps during the design process. For example, traditionally, designers start with a product idea, create sketches, 3D CAD models, and prototypes to work towards creating the final result. These steps are naturally repeated until the product is refined and ready for production.

However, the practice of creating a physical prototype is slowly fading, being lost to the digital world. Before we go any further, it’s essential to know what prototypes are. Prototypes are early mock-ups of a proposed product. By creating a physical prototype, designers and investors can physically feel and see the outcome; understanding its functionality and improving the product based on feedback. Yet, novice product design students are skipping this crucial step ⏤ why?

Various studies have shown the different behavior between novice designers and expert designers in areas of general design strategy, problem scoping, and time spent during individual phases. Students lack procedural knowledge and strategy when creating a product, thus prolonging the design process. However, we cannot fully place the blame on them. When asked, most students state their reasons for not using prototypes are due to the effort required to create a prototype, and the pressure to deliver results in a short timeframe.

These reasons stem from a lack of education. Yes, technology can alter student’s behavior towards prototypes, but an educator’s job is to enforce procedural knowledge. Product design students lack the understanding of why creating prototypes are an essential component of the product design process. But, regardless of technological changes, and challenges, students must look beyond and see the bigger picture. There are several crucial reasons why students need their product’s prototype made during the design process.

Prototypes improve the overall understanding of the design

Most people are visual when it comes to understanding a concept or idea. Rapid prototypes services help illustrate the final product, allowing the design team to comprehend the product’s function, and target audience. A slight shift in proportions can make a huge difference and completely change the look and function of a product.

For example, in the automotive industry, changing the size of the trunk by an inch will give you a completely different vehicle. Full-scale prototypes give the design team a true sense of the car they’re creating.

Minimize design error

If a product is near completion, making any drastic changes would create more work and increase the budget. Imagine creating the final product of a truck, and realizing the backseats are too short; now you need to change the structure of the vehicle, prolonging the deadline. By using prototypes, design teams can make changes early, reducing extra work and costs. For example, Ford saves up to $439k monthly by using prototypes via 3D printing.

Allows for user testing

Every product has a target audience, and at the end of the day, the audience is going to have the final say. Prototypes allow for user testing, which provides designers with valuable feedback about their product. With their insights, the design team can make changes early on.

Improves team communication

Creating any product requires a team of designers that can effectively communicate their ideas and concepts with one another. When they have a physical product, it’s easier to provide feedback and see whether the product has a specific limitation. Prototypes ensure that the product they’re creating is serving its purpose.

Prototypes attract investors

A product’s goal is to be designed and then massed produce for consumers. It’s normal for a product to hit financial patches and require an expanded budget. If a product needs further investment, having a prototype is an attractive feature. Investors aren’t interested in spending money on a design that may work once it’s produced. They want to see the product in its physical form.

As long as the product students are creating is physical, the need for a prototype will always exist and will be a crucial step in the design process. At the end of the day, nothing beats a physical product that can be held in your own two hands. If students can understand the importance of a prototype and use it for their designs, they’ll become a future designer that companies will flock to.

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