Product Prototyping and Testing

Product Prototyping

Product prototyping is an integral part of the design process, facilitating a physical interpretation of the design concept.
Prototypes help designers visualise the final product effectively and identify areas of improvements based on its physical features.
The ability to iterate the design based on the prototype means designers can experiment, make improvements and rectify design flaws in the early stages of product development.
Prototyping materials used can vary greatly depending on factors such as cost, time and material characteristics. They should emulate the properties of the intended final product materials to the maximum extent feasible.
It’s important to keep a record of observations during prototyping; they form the basis of iterations and finalisation of the design.

Product testing helps determine how the prototype behaves under different conditions, whether it meets the intended design aims, and it’s suitability for purpose.
Testing is not only about assessing the prototype’s functionality, but also its aesthetics and ergonomics, to ensure it is user-friendly and visually appealing.
Standards and regulations are crucial to keep in mind during product testing. The final product must comply with regulations set by regulatory bodies.
Types of tests performed include durability tests, resistance tests, safety tests, amongst others, depending on the intended use of the product.
Pre-test predictions help create performance benchmarks for the product. These benchmarks can be referred to during testing to measure the performance of the prototype.
Recording and analysing results from testing are key. This information is used to modify the design if necessary and ensure the product meets its intended design aims.