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Understanding Design Process

The objective of an industrial designer is to study both function and form, and the connection between product and the user. Prototype is an original type, form, for instance, of something serving as a typical example, basis or standard for other things of the same category. New designs often have unexpected problems. A prototype is often used as part of the product design process to allow engineers and designers the ability to explore design alternatives, test theories and confirm performance prior to starting production of a new product.


About Prototyping

-Form Study Prototype (Model) - This type of prototype will allow designers to explore the basic size, look and feel of a product without simulating the actual function or exact visual appearance of the product. They can help assess ergonomic factors and provide
insight into visual aspects of the product's final form.

-Form Study Prototypes - Often hand carved or machined models from easily sculpted, inexpensive materials (e.g., urethane foam), without representing the intended color, finish, or texture. Due to the materials used, these models are intended for internal decision making and are generally not durable enough or suitable for use by representative users or consumers.

-Visual Prototype (Model) - Will capture the intended design’s aesthetic and simulate the appearance, color and surface textures of the intended product but will not actually embody the function(s) of the final product. These models will be suitable for use in market research, executive reviews and approval, packaging mock-ups and photo shoots for sales literature.

-Functional Prototype - (Model) Also called a working prototype will to the greatest extent, provide a practical, attempt to simulate the final design, aesthetics, materials and functionality of the intended design. The functional prototype may be reduced in size (scaled down) in order to reduce costs. The construction of a fully working
full-scale prototype and the ultimate test of concept, is the engineers' final check for design flaws and allows last-minute improvements to be made before larger production runs are ordered

-Materials

-Finish Levels - This depends on what type of model one chooses to go with. For example, a complete model would have a finish level as complete as something already in production.