prototype

Sketches and Diagrams

One of the most basic types of prototyping available is the old-fashioned hand drawing. Sketch out your ideas and run the resulting model through the filter of what works and doesn’t work with the laws of nature. Mind maps allow you to illustrate a process and develop building blocks for your concept.

Three-Dimensional Printing

Basic 3D printers are now available for as little as $300, making them an option for many small businesses. The only drawback with the cheaper printers is they take longer to print the model. However, owning your own printer means you can print as many prototypes as needed. Then you can make minor or major changes along the way.

Lego Prototype

If you’re on a tight budget, you may not have the funds to invest in a 3D printer. Therefore, a less expensive option for startups is using _________. Building a solid model allows you to understand the scope and size of the finished product.

Wireframing

works well for apps and website designs. Essentially, you create a backend structure for your design. You make sure all the elements work correctly before taking it live. Some wireframing platforms allow you to create a design and then gather input from different players in the creation process, such as the client, other designers and IT.

Role-Playing

Another interesting way of utilizing current technology to test your product design is through ______ using virtual reality or augmented reality.

Feasibility Prototypes

There are times when you’re creating a new design that you’ll suddenly have an idea about a feature for the finished product. However, sometimes it’s hard to know how feasible the add-on is and if it will work the way you want. Creating a_______—- allows you to test a specific element and see how it functions with the rest of the design. You may have multiple feasibility models, which you use to test different features.

Working Model

Toward the end of the design process, you’ll need a working model to make sure the final materials and manufacturing work the way you’d like them to. Ask the manufacturer to give you a proof of the finished product from the molds created based on your final designs.

Video Prototype

In the early days of DropBox, they released videos which showed what DropBox would offer people, but it was all a concept.

Sketches and diagrams

this is perhaps the most basic form of prototyping, but using a paper drawing is still a widely used way to share a concept.

3D printing or rapid model

This prototype allows businesses to move from design to production phase quicker because they can use the 3D model to identify flaws or areas that need adjustment.

Physical model

A prototype model can be made with anything from building bricks to craft paper. It doesn't need to have working parts—it just gives a rough idea of the design.

Wireframe

acts as a digital diagram or layout of the product. This is a common prototype used for websites, software or other digital tools.

t can be used by anyone working on the project — from copywriters to developers — to navigate the structure and placement of different content.

Role-play through virtual

Certain designs benefit from a visualization tool like virtual or augmented reality.

Feasibility

prototypes are used to test certain features that are added at a later stage in the design process.

Working model

allows you to test the idea of a product to see if it actually functions the way you intended.

Video prototype

are often used to present a product in the form of an animated video or even a simulation that explains and graphically represents a project.

Horizontal

shows a design from the user end. It's used mostly in software design to help engineers understand the human interface of a project.

Vertical

These prototypes are digitally created to improve a database design. They are considered "back end" models used to test important functions in software before it moves on to another design phase.

aesthetic prototype

aims to show your design's appearance or expected appearance. It often has no function at all.

functional prototype

aims to show the function of the product. Its purpose is to prove that the technology you are developing is feasible.

Wireframe

Practice easy to produce and requires little effort

Mockup

help you make final decisions on both the product design element(color scheme, visual, typography,etc), and the functionality

Software Prototype

highly interactive allowing the users to experience the interface and find out what they like or dislike About it.

Paper interfaces

handy at early stages of prototyping for digital products

Storyboard

useful for developing an empathic understanding of the user.

lego Prototype

useful for creating rough prototypes of products and simulating a user’s journey

Role Playing

useful in capturing and experiencing the users emotional experience of using a product of service

Physical Models

it can spark discussions about the form factor of the solutions

Wizard of Oz

useful if you want to test interactions of your product before building it

User-driven Prototype

useful for gaining empathy with your users or fine-tuning the details of your product