What is Prototyping? Meaning, Types, Process, Tools and Examples

Hello everyone! I hope this article finds you happy, healthy and content. Today we are discussing a very interesting and versatile topic that might have crossed your path many times if you are related to any of the engineering fields most probably software, electrical, or mechanical, or if you are a final-year student struggling to get your project approved then you know the drill absolutely, or maybe you are someone who works with materials and crafts related to product design, Yes! You guessed it right! The topic we have at hand today is Prototyping.

Before proceeding and diving into the sea of prototyping, I want to make one thing very clear here: I'll be treating it in a generalized and systematic way; we will not limit our discussion to machine design or app design only! In fact, if you're involved in web design, finding the best Webflow agency could be key to ensuring your project's success. Now, let’s get started with the most important question of all: What is Prototyping?

What is Prototyping?

So let's get started with the most important question of all, What is Prototyping?

Definition of Prototyping

• Prototyping can be defined as the Conversion of an intangible idea either related to the physical or digital world into a tangible configuration to test its feasibility, validity or efficacy.

You might have pondered many times, Why do we need to prototype our product or why prototyping is important in engineering? Prototyping is crucial because it helps in;

Materializing Raw Ideas:

• It helps the designers and engineers in materializing their raw ideas.

Rectification:

• Prototyping helps in the rectification of design flaws and loopholes in the very beginning of the project.

  Material Versatility:

• It helps in testing the design along with the materials proposed for use in the product.

Prototyping Attracts Investments:

• Prototyping a product or a project attracts investors which can be a sigh of relief for the designers involved in the process.

Prototyping Saves Money:

• It can help save money for the investors who are involved in the due process of mass production.

Profit Loss Estimation:

• Prototyping can help in the estimation of profit margin or loss for the parties involved in the project.

Refine the final outcome:

• Prototyping helps refine the final outcomes either in the case of a digital product or a physical one.

Prototyping Protects Intellectual Property:

It helps reserve the intellectual property of the ideator, just imagine you presented a rough sketch of a revolutionary idea to your friend or anyone in your vicinity and after some time you find your idea gaining money and fame but not with your name instead of your friend’s who researched it, prototyped it, sold it to an investor and earned money and fame, so now you know why we need to prototype an idea and how it protects intellectual property!

Prototyping and Materialization

• Why Prototyping is called Materialization? Prototyping is also called Materialization because it turns an idea into something materialistic or tangible which totally justifies the term being used.

Types of Prototyping

Now the question arises, how we identify the type of prototype we require for our project to get approved? Or which type of prototype is needed for your product if you are working for a company?

It certainly depends on the two factors:

• How the product would be used and which would be the target audience?
• Representation or general appearance of the product we need to prototype.

We all have been somehow a part of the product testing and prototyping process in one way or the other when it comes to different types of prototypes either consciously or unconsciously. You must be wondering, "How you have been a part of it!" You would find out the answer to this intriguing question after knowing the types of prototypes explained in this section. Following are the few famously known types of prototyping depending on their usage and representative nature;

Feasibility Prototypes

• These types of prototypes are made to test the viability and feasibility of the product.
• For example, consider making a spatula we use in cooking with a material other than silicon, as silicon is the most commonly used material these days, in order to test the feasibility of your product, you would definitely prototype it first with a material other than silicon.

Live data prototypes:

• A prototype intended to test the digital features and functionalities of a program or a solution.
• Iit is very closely designed to the original product or solution using JavaScript, HTML or CSS.
• Live data prototypes help analyze the success or failure of the project with the help of feedback provided by users involved in testing the product.

Miniature prototypes:

• As the name suggests, this prototype is the three-dimensional or two-dimensional depiction of the product in a miniature form.
• For example, in the inauguration ceremonies of the buildings and monuments, you might have seen their smaller versions being grounded there for the groundbreaking ceremony, a mini sculpture more precisely. Those are miniature prototypes.

Low Fidelity Prototypes:

• Educating the audience.
• Communicating with the audience.
• Informing the people of a certain solution.

• They can be made in the form of rough sketch.
• Clickable wireframe.
• A drawing representing the idea.
• A mood board with all the collected data, summarized in the form of pictures, charts or graphs.

High fidelity prototypes

• It is almost similar to the product.
• A combination of materials can be tested making a high fidelity prototype.
• A high-fidelity prototype may lack a feature or two as compared to the original product.
• It renders enhanced user interaction and testing.
• It can help identify and rectify design flaws in a more effective and efficient way.

Display prototypes

• A non-working, non-functional physical model of a mobile phone is yet to be launched in the market.
• A display of a desktop screen of a laptop prior to its launch.
• A draped dress on a mannequin with pins without being stitched to perfection just to give the idea of how it would look like when stitched in actuality.

Video Prototype

• It’s another way to connect with your audience.
• People get hooked to the screens more in the case of animation.
• Video interaction with the users intrigues them.
• It compels the audience to make a buying decision which enhances sales.

Process of Prototyping

• By now you are fully aware of Prototyping and its types, we will be discussing the process involved in prototyping.
• First thing first, do you know why an engineer or a designer is compelled to prototype a product?
• Which makes him or her indulge in the process?
• Which circumstances initiate this tiresome journey?
• Let me summarize this pathway for you mapping it straight to the prototyping;

• When a certain individual or a company face a problem either be it digital or physical it paths down to a significant amount of research,
• The research proposes a lot of solutions,
• Amongst all the proposed solutions, the one feasible enough is chosen,
• The chosen solution is then tested in terms of feasibility, durability and market parameters.
• The product or the solution is then prototyped, upon rejection or approval, it decides the fate of your idea in solving the problem which hindered your path!

Qualities of a Prototype

• Accuracy

• Articulation

• Basic Functionality

Tools for Prototyping

• We design our prototype digitally at first with all the dimensions and specifications
• After that, we move towards the solidification of that digitally approved prototype if it is a tangible product!
• Just as we can say that, we would definitely digitally prototype a mobile app meanwhile a silicone spatula would be physically prototyped in a three-dimensional structure and form.
• Keep one thing in mind whether it a digital or physical prototype, you have to design it first using software that suits you best.
• With advanced solutions and boom in soft technology, we have now countless tools in the prototyping industry which can be picked up and used according to client's convenience and ease either paid or free, each of them has their own specialties and workflow.

Problems Requiring Digital Prototyping:

• UX/ UI
• Website design
• App development
• Video animation
• Architectural design
• Product design
• Artificial limb replacement
• Orthotic devices
• Weapon design and production
• Tech packs in the fashion industry

Commonly used Software for Prototyping

• Photoshop CC
• Figma
• Vectr
• Envision
• Webflow
• Grunt
• Axure
• Origami studio
• SketchUp
• Gulp
• Yarn
• AutoCAD
• Solid works

Photoshop CC:

Figma:

Vectr:

InVision:

WebFlow:

Grunt:

Axure:

Origami Studio:

SketchUp:

• It can render a lot of dimensions of a prototype.
• It is used for the 3D modeling of a design.
• It has a very simple user interface that is easy to understand and comprehend.
• SketchUp makes 3D modeling of a prototype relatively easy for new users as well.

Gulp:

Yarn:

• The yarn has outdone its competitor in the market because of its insanely high spend, a speed that is matchless and can download multiple packages in one go!
• It also acts as a project manager for your coded website or a design by sharing it in the form of packages with other designers and developers to test your website, with high security and reliability! Isn't it amazing? Multiple people can test and rectify your prototype without any hassle!

AutoCAD:

Solid works:

Examples of Prototyping

Prototyping Examples in Industrial World

• There are endless examples when it comes to prototypes, almost every industry related to the design and development of a product or software implements it.
• Let’s have a quick view of the industries that use prototyping.

1. Prototyping in Automotive industry:

• Before releasing or launching a new model, it is always designed and prototyped first, initially into a digital form using software like AutoCAD or Solid Works and then it is moved on it 3D printing for representation.

2. Prototyping in Architectural Design:

• A building is first prototyped in software like SketchUp, AutoCAD, InDesign, Revit, Photoshop, 3D max studio and whatnot!

3. Prototyping in Biomedical Industry:

4. Prototyping Machine Assembly and Spare Parts:

5. Prototyping in software and web design:

• The prototype doesn't have all the functions the app or the website would possess, instead, it provides a few basic ones to analyze the user reaction on the launch.
• You must be thinking about why the prototype doesn't have all the features? The answer is so simple to hunt, who would buy the complete package after the launch if your prototype has it all? Obviously no one!

6. Prototyping in product design:

• Let's take IKEA as an example who has never let anyone come even closer to the revenue it generates yearly!
• IKEA has a very unique selling point, which is hidden in the self-assembling of their furniture by customers, this assembling of the furniture provides a sense of self-satisfaction and achievement which compels them to buy more.
• Do you really think, all these self-assembly parts which seamlessly fit into each other by the customer itself are achievable without being prototyped? No, not at all!
• All these parts and designs are Sketched and prototyped, first digitally and then physically in 3D forms. Now you know the power of prototyping? Definitely Yes!

7. Prototyping in Aerospace Industry:

Military Prototyping:

Prototyping in Robotics:

• Prototyping in robotics goes hand in hand with the design and configuration of the robot, without prototyping the manufacturer would never be able to see the true outcome of the features and added designs that are essentially required for the successful launch.

Scenario-Based Example of Prototyping:

• We are now done with the practical examples of prototyping in different industries, in this section, we will discuss a scenario-based example to help you grasp the concept in a better way.

Prototyping a Physical Product

Step 1: Research

• Research is the utmost part of a project, what can you do without it? Obviously nothing! Research must be your strong forte, search for the already existing designs in the market with similar specs.

Step 2: Design

• After research, you would definitely be considering the design and material for your mug, which keeps the liquid warm in winter and cold in summers!
• Ultimately after design selection you would sketch it in your desired software in a 3D form be it AutoCAD or solid works or any other one you like the most; it would be the digital prototype of your project.

Step 3: 3D printing of the prototype

• After the approval of the digital prototype, the next step would be the materialization of your design into a three-dimensional structure, this step would be achieved with the help of 3D printing and it would be a physical prototype of your product.

Step 4: Approval of the Prototype and Rectification of Errors

• In this stage of product development, we have a digital and a physical three-dimensional prototype of our product which has been tested with different materials and design constraints.
• The final design is approved after all the rectifications have been done.

Step 5: Mass Production of the Product According to the Prototype

• The final prototype got our mug with unique design and features approved, and is now all set for mass production.
• Voila! You have made it to the competitive market with a revolutionary product. Good work!

Prototyping a Website or an App

Step 1: Researching the Key Features and User End Expectations

• App development starts with the research phase, but this time you have to orient your research around your target audience, find out the features they want you to add or the things that don't like in the user interface and all the necessary stuff required for the job with the help of survey or a poll.

Step 2: Design a Low Fidelity Prototype for User Interface

• After identifying the key requirements develop a low fidelity prototype with the help of any software you like such as Invision which would help create the basic functionalities of the user interface.

• A low fidelity prototype can be turned into a live data prototype making a few features of the app functional.
• This would help in generating true feedback and analysis for the app when tested by the people, you might have seen some testing versions of an app saying; "this feature of the app is not available in this version”, which is the reason why they aren't available.

Step 4: Approval of the Prototype and Rectification of Errors

• After the approval of the prototype by the investors and data collected by the audience, we move towards adding the complete features that were planned for the app.

Step 5: Release for Public Use

• The app is then released with complete features and is made available to the general public for use.

Limitations of Prototyping

• Nothing in this world exists without imperfections and minor flaws, same is the case with the process of prototyping, no doubt the process in itself is remarkable enough to do wonders wherever implied, but it has some limitations as well which are being stated below:

Exaggerated Expectations:

• The product or the object which is prototyped can sometimes create unreal expectations for the final outcome which may not be achieved in real life.

Material Constraints:

• Material constraints can play a major role in creating problems for the product designers, the material which is prototyped may not turn out well enough when used for mass production on a large scale which can add additional costs and strains the budget in turn upsetting the shareholders.

Lack of Absolute Imitation of the Presented idea:

Prototypes are scalable models which are materialized on large scales in real life, the digital forms of a prototype may not be able to communicate everything about the final physical product what the designer has in mind, in simple words, you cannot put everything in your mind you have on a piece of paper accurately.

So, summing up, this section concludes our journey of prototyping,  without any second thought I can say that you have learned and understood the concepts well, if not, it is never too late to mend just give it another read! Good luck!