{"id":3696,"date":"2018-07-12T10:25:46","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T16:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/?p=3696"},"modified":"2018-07-14T17:43:07","modified_gmt":"2018-07-14T23:43:07","slug":"how-to-design-the-best-prototype-for-your-new-product","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/how-to-design-the-best-prototype-for-your-new-product\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Design the Best Prototype for Your New Product"},"content":{"rendered":"

Purpose and Benefits of a Prototype for Your New Product<\/h3>\n

A prototype, by definition, is the original form or model on which something \u2013 in this case, a potential product \u2013 is based or formed. Creating a prototype<\/a> is an essential part of the product design process. Prototypes allow you to evaluate an idea; they allow you to determine whether your product concept is feasible and whether it\u2019s on the right track. Creating a prototype lets you be creative and modify your design without financial constraints. While you\u2019re creating a prototype, it\u2019s important to consider the purpose you want your product to serve , and whether your budget will allow you to reach this goal.<\/p>\n

A prototype can also be beneficial during the patenting process<\/a>. Patenting a product while it is still in the prototype stage can offer a number of benefits. For example, patenting provides you with the exclusive rights to your product, meaning it will be safe from replication and unauthorized distribution. Patenting can also give your product a strong position in the market and increase your negotiating power with investors and buyers.<\/p>\n

Whether the product you\u2019re trying to produce is physical or digital, a prototype can be used to show how the finished product will look or demonstrate how it\u2019ll function. Whether you\u2019re trying to produce hardware or software, the steps in the prototyping process remain relatively similar.<\/p>\n

\"New1. Create a Concept Sketch<\/h3>\n

The first step in designing a prototype is to create a concept sketch. Creating a rough sketch is not as time consuming as creating a digital drawing and is therefore the quickest and easiest way to \u2013 quite literally \u2013 get your ideas down on paper. Concept sketches can also be useful if you ever have to defend the rights to your intellectual property.<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s a product already on the market similar to the one you wish to design, you can consider its design to gain some inspiration. This can be done by taking apart a product, or assessing the code in a program\u2019s software. It is, however, crucial that you never copy someone else\u2019s design \u2013 instead, use what you learn from the construction or coding of other products to improve your own design.<\/p>\n

The concept sketching stage can also help you determine which features are necessary in your product design, or it can help you catch flaws before you invest additional time and money into creating a prototype.<\/p>\n

\"create2. Create a 3D CAD Design for Your Product<\/h3>\n

Once you have created a concept sketch \u2013 or sketches \u2013 that you are comfortable with, it\u2019s time to develop a computer-aided design (CAD) of your prototype. You might want to use a 2D or 3D design generator. A 3D generator could be a beneficial choice if you are designing a hardware product, as a 3D design allows you to rotate and observe your product from different perspectives. A CAD lets you include much more detail than your initial concept sketches. You can use your digital CAD to create a 2D or 3D rendering that shows what your final product will look like. Having a digital rendering of your product can also allow you to assess the ways your design might be too complex. At this point you can choose to simplify your design if necessary.<\/p>\n

If you do not have experience using digital programs, such as those used to create a CAD, you should consider hiring a professional to help you create these designs. Cad Crowd offers lots of options when it comes to finding a CAD designer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"build3. Build Your Physical Product Prototype<\/h3>\n

After you have created a digital design of your product, it is time to create a three-dimensional version of it \u2013 by creating a physical prototype. Physical prototypes should be simple and can allow you to exercise your creative ability by using everyday household items. Alternatively, you can purchase materials that are intended to be used in prototyping. Shapelock, for example, is a durable plastic material that is malleable once it\u2019s heated under hot water.<\/p>\n

Creating a physical prototype has several benefits. You\u2019ll be able to test the functionality of your design, how different materials can impact that functionality, and assess the associated costs of using certain materials in your design. By physically creating a prototype, you gain the opportunity to determine the best way to describe your product \u2013 this can be beneficial if you\u2019re looking for investors or want to sell your product. Having a simple design can help you explain the function of your product to potential investors and buyers. You may need to create several prototypes before you settle on a final design.<\/p>\n

You can choose to do this step yourself, or involve a professional \u2013 either through an agency, or perhaps by seeking out a handyman or a student in an industrial design program.<\/p>\n

An alternative to building a prototype is to use a modeling program to create a digital version or rendering of your prototype. Prototype on Paper and InVision can be used to create renderings of hardware prototypes, and Dribbble and Freebiesbug can be used to create software prototypes.<\/p>\n

\"Find4. Research Manufacturers<\/h3>\n

After you have created a functional prototype, you may wish to conduct some research into the costs of manufacturing your product. By obtaining quotes or estimates from manufacturers, you can better assess the financial feasibility of your product design. If you find that manufacturing costs will exceed the limit of your budget, then you still have the option to modify your design. Check out The Pros and Cons of Manufacturing in China<\/a> if you’re considering manufacturing your new product abroad.<\/p>\n

\"3DQuickly Creating a Prototype<\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re designing a product, it\u2019s crucial to create a functional prototype as quickly as possible \u2013 prototyping in under 24 hours is a possibility for both hardware or software. If you\u2019re trying to quickly create a prototype, it\u2019s essential that you keep your design simple. Sally Dunne, of Pedal Petals, who designed and created a functioning prototype in under 24 hours, says \u201chaving a coherent idea with minimum components helps when you need to prototype an idea quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

This concept also applies when developing software prototypes. For example, an app\u2019s design should be kept simple in the early stages, and improvements can be made once the product becomes functional. Thomas Laurinavicius, who studies the success and failures of app design, suggests that app designers should prioritize the top features that they would like their app to have and focus solely on those during the developmental stages.<\/p>\n

In addition to keeping a design simple, the prototyping stage isn\u2019t the time to create a flawless product. To create a prototype quickly, you can\u2019t spend a lot of time focused on small details. Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn says, \u201cIf you\u2019re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you\u2019ve launched too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

When quickly creating a prototype, it\u2019s important to know your options, both in terms of prototype production and which shortcuts you can take. For example, 3D printers are an extremely fast way to produce a physical prototype. Over the past 30 years, these devices have decreased in cost as more competitors have entered the market. Currently, there are 3D printers for business or personal use that can be purchased for less than $1,000. 3D printing lets you tweak your design and produce as many prototypes as you need.<\/p>\n

\"3dAlternatively, if purchasing a 3D printer isn\u2019t in your budget, there are websites where a 3D printing digital design<\/a> can be uploaded to be 3D printed at a cost. There are also software options that can help you save valuable time. For example, Skala Preview allows you to see a pixelated final rendering of your design that you can still move around and change. This can give you a better idea of how your final product will look before you print a physical prototype.<\/p>\n

When creating a software prototype, use the default components offered by third-party libraries to create an interface for your prototype whenever you can. iOS developer, Olivier Collet, suggests that unless an app is intended to have a distinct visual component, there is no reason for a designer to spend time choosing fonts and colors \u2013 it is more important for the app to be functional.<\/p>\n

There are a number of ways you can create the best prototype for your product. Whether you are creating a physical or digital prototype, the prototyping process has many benefits. At the prototyping stage, your design doesn\u2019t need to be perfect. It\u2019s important for you to be open to modifying your design or using alternative materials. Prototyping offers you the opportunity to further refine and improve your design, so that you can easily create the best version of your product.<\/p>\n

Whether you are looking to patent an idea, need help creating a 2D or 3D design, or simply have some questions about how to get started<\/a>, Cad Crowd offers a variety of services that can help you with your\u00a0new product design<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Purpose and Benefits of a Prototype for Your New Product A prototype, by definition, is the original form or model on which something \u2013 in this case, a potential product \u2013 is based or formed. Creating a prototype is an essential part of the product design process. Prototypes allow you to evaluate an idea; they […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":3862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-product-design"],"aioseo_notices":[],"spectra_custom_meta":{"_edit_lock":["1534922538:1"],"_edit_last":["1"],"ampforwp_custom_content_editor":[""],"ampforwp_custom_content_editor_checkbox":[null],"ampforwp-amp-on-off":["default"],"_thumbnail_id":["3862"],"cc_activity_id":["39985"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:0:{}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:0;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1776051035\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1.png",800,200,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-300x75.png",300,75,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-768x192.png",640,160,true],"large":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1.png",640,160,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1.png",800,200,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1.png",800,200,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-379x196.png",379,196,true],"sticky-post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-789x200.png",789,200,true],"archive-post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1-180x180.png",180,180,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/cdn.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-1.png",120,30,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Samanda Stroud","author_link":"https:\/\/www.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/author\/samanda-stroud\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Purpose and Benefits of a Prototype for Your New Product A prototype, by definition, is the original form or model on which something \u2013 in this case, a potential product \u2013 is based or formed. Creating a prototype is an essential part of the product design process. Prototypes allow you to evaluate an idea; they…","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t