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You have your idea, you have documented it, and you have done research and now you are ready for the next step to bring your product idea to life. Before you are ready to bring your product to market you will want to develop a prototype. As mentioned in a previous article, this is my favorite step of the product development process. It has many benefits and can be fun to create.

Why is Developing a Prototype Important

Even though it is tempting to skip this prototyping, I caution you not to. Here are some of the reasons why you will want to create a prototype

Test function and identify flaws

Creating a prototype allows you to validate whether your product actually works. It can be difficult to assess this from a sketch and even from a 3D model, thus having a physical prototype will show you if it functions as intended. In addition to testing functions, it can also show you where the flaws are in your design and allow you to improve your product.

Save money in the long term

Over the long term, prototyping can save you a lot of money even though at first hand it can seem to be an added expense. Sending a part to production without testing it can be costly and can lead to loss production time, bad parts, and a tarnished reputation. With a prototype you can find issues and test the product before it hits the production floor. In addition, it allows you to figure out the production process for the part as well.

Allows you to demo product

By building a prototype you can demonstrate it to investors and potential customers. This allows you to build interest and answer questions. In addition it allows you to get feedback on how to improve your design.

Examine user experience

With a prototype in hand you can have end users interact with your product. This will allow you to see how the user puts your product to use. You can see the experience they are having and whether there are pain points in how your product is used(2).

Ways to create a prototype

There are many ways that you can create a prototype. It can be simple and cheap to expensive and complex. Each way has its benefits and its limitations. While it is not an exhaustive list, here are ways you can get a prototype made.

Sketch

A simple way to get your idea out there and to examine it is to create a sketch on paper. This is a low cost method to get your idea out there and is a good start to your prototyping journey. It can give you a great baseline to see where you can make improvements and to show the people you are collaborating with.

3D model

The next step up, after a sketch, is to create a 3D model. A 3D model is a great way to have your product “built” with dimensions and to demonstrate it in a simulation. Depending on how much you want to put in it, you can also simulate things such as stress.

Cardboard and tape

Another relatively low cost method to develop a prototype is to use cardboard and tape. I have done this before and it can be a good way to be able to examine your prototype. It allows you to get a good idea of what your product will look like as a physical product and how it could function.

3D printing

While a bit more costly than cardboard and tape, 3D printing still keeps costs low and is more accurate to develop than cardboard. It gives you a better idea of what the dimensions should be and gives you a better idea of how it will look and feel.

CNC prototype

A more expensive method to create a prototype is to have it done by CNC. Depending on what your product is, CNC might be the best route to go. It allows for more accurate dimensions and can be built to the final product more easily.

How to take your product to prototyping and beyond

Conduct research

Before building your prototype you will want to ensure you have your research done. Research products that are similar to yours and see what others are doing . It could give you some ideas on what you can do better and it will also tell you if there are already others doing the same thing. You can also do an analysis to see how other companies built that product to get ideas from (1). In the end you will want a great product that is unique and know how it should function and how it should be built.

Draw up idea

Whether it is on paper or through a 3D model, having something to see and a way to show your idea is important. With a drawing of your idea you can see how things will look, where you might have issues, and have the ability to talk to others about your idea. It is also a great first step in developing your prototype.

Get expertise where needed

At some point in your product development journey you are going to find something that you need additional expertise at. Whether you need an engineer, a patent attorney, or someone for sales, it is a wise idea to have others with other expertise to help you in your product development journey.

Build a proof of concept

Beyond having a drawing, you will want a working prototype built. A proof of concept verifies that your idea works and demonstrates your idea to potential partners and investors. It also allows you to see where you can build the product and find where else you can improve it.

Test prototype

After building your prototype you will want to put your prototype through testing to validate and verify your product. Test your product to the needs of your user and to the specifications that your product needs to meet.

Creating  a prototype is an exciting piece of the product development and invention journey. It brings your product one step closer to having it on the market. As you develop your prototype, take lots of notes and find ways you can improve the design. Most of all enjoy the fun of building the product you came up with.

Sources

1. How to Create a Working Prototype in 7 Steps (plus Benefits). https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-create-prototype.
2. “How to Make and Test a Prototype: Get Your Idea Made – 2023.” MasterClass, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-and-test-a-prototype#50MdO1Z1ZS2lnKJzXq7bbE.

Image by Reto Scheiwiller from Pixabay