5 Benefits of Prototyping
Bakers Patterns | 18th December 2020
A prototype is often considered a trial run, with the first full-scale and functional form of a new product design. A prototype model can be used for demonstrations should you need to pitch to investors, used in user testing, and can also help to give your audience a product in their hands, so that they can see what it will be like and be able to interact with it. Prototyping something is not generally a product that is production quality, so it isn’t the same standard as a finished product. However, a prototype of a product can help you to learn more about it, as well as see what features need improving, in turn, helping get a product to market quickly.
Prototyping models in industrial design can be a long journey. But to help you to understand what prototyping is, you need to understand the benefits that come from creating a prototype. Rapid prototyping can give you the chance to disrupt the market with a new and innovative product.
Fail early on and inexpensively
Real change and innovation come with some risk of failure. However, when you build a prototype of a product, you can quickly sort out the problems or issues that don’t quite work as planned. This can be done relatively inexpensively, rather than creating your final product, and then identifying the issues.
Get more accurate requirements
Due to things like increased project costs, reworking different versions of a product can be more difficult, especially if there are some inadequate requirements in the first place. Some more traditional ways of getting consumer input, through things like focus groups or interviews aren’t always that accurate, as some ideas can be hard to visualise. If you have a working prototype, then it can be used to show functionality and usage, to help prepare for the final design requirements.
Help gain funding
One of the benefits of prototyping is that you can show your idea or concept to potential investors, and this helps to lower their risk. Proving that a working prototype does what it is meant to can help investors to be invested in your idea, and increases the chances that they will help to fund your idea. If you are looking for funding for your business and ideas, then prototyping is important.
Understand any problems
Time helps to understand problems that might occur. That is why prototyping helps you to address any foreseen and unforeseen challenges of your design. This means that you can apply those technical solutions to create a more elegant system design when you are able move on to creating the final product.
Generate feedback
Another benefit of prototypes is that you will be able to receive some feedback from people like clients, customers, and distributors. Feedback can help in the final design, as well as the final function of the product. Research and feedback can help with customer satisfaction, helping you to have some confidence when it comes to how marketable your product will be.
As you can see, there are many benefits of prototypes, which can be used in nearly every business environment. If you are interested in seeing how we can help with your next product or project, then get in touch with a member of the Bakers Patterns team today on 01952 216165 or send us an email on info@bakerspatterns.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch by using the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you.