Practice

Prototyping with A Purpose / Plan

Why are you prototyping? Do NOT prototype for the sake of prototyping.

1. Always make sure you can answer this question before you begin to prototype. Create a prototype to answer specific questions, test and validate assumptions, illustrate an idea, flesh out an idea and so on.

2. Embrace Agile Methods: For each objective, form a hypothesis. Be strategic about when to use rough prototypes for quick learning or proof of concept, and when to focus on craftsmanship to anticipate fabrication and assembly challenges. Efficiently plan and prioritize your time for maximum productivity. Here’re more visual deliberation examples related to this subject.

Objective

Product architecture study and flexible modeling.

Prototyping isn't about making things.

It is about learning things

Assistive Learning – Proof of Concept, In-depth experiments or purposeful exploration

Prototyping with A Purpose

research prototyping | iteration prototyping | evaluation prototyping | Production prototyping

WHY

HOW

Bench Models for Mechanism Study

A simplified or scaled-down version of a mechanism, or system built as a prototype, to get an insight as quickly as possible. Example_Bosch kitchen appliance

Product Architecture Study

Investigate preliminary construction methods, assembly processes, and the arrangement of internal components to optimize product volume and functionality.

Proportion Studies

Explore the right proportions for new design approaches or hypotheses. Example_Leaf blower ideation

Ergonomics Studies

Observe various users interacting with a prototype to assess comfort, ease of use, and physical strain. Then Adjustments are made based on these observations to improve the product’s ergonomic design, ensuring it accommodates a range of body types and user scenarios. Example_Eastman_Cosmetic packaging

User Interaction Study

Digital interfaces and physical aspects of product interaction. Observes how users naturally engage with the prototype, noting their actions, hesitations, and intuitive use of the product. Example_Garnet_glass rimming

Functional Prototype Development

Focus on the mechanical aspects of the product. This could involve creating functional prototypes to test and refine mechanical functions and interactions. Example_First-year studio project_Splash+Toss toy

Flexible Modeling for Participatory Design

Engage users to conduct hands-on experimentation and immediate feedback on the adaptability and ergonomics of your designs. By focusing on flexible modeling, you enhance the ability to test designs in dynamic, real-world conditions.

Integration of Digital Tools

Digital evaluation of proportion study and architecture study: (supplementing digital analysis with physical checks to ensure accuracy in size and scale in real-world dimensions)

3D Scanning and Modeling: To create accurate digital representations of physical objects for analysis and modification.

Stress and Strain analysis, understand how different materials, shapes, and densities respond under various conditions. This can inform decisions about material selection and design modifications. Example_ first-year studio project-tensegrity

Structural integrity assessment (FEA evaluation in SolidWorks), Weight distribution simulation.

Visual Model Prototype

Building a visual model prototype to demonstrate the final product look, material, and represent the proposed production-intent
product options regarding color, material, and form. This prototype model can be helpful for
early marketing purposes including crowdfunding, product packaging, and video shoots. Example_Text scanner

Production Optimization

Visualizing and refining the assembly details, mating lines, and fabric coverage could ensure all parts fit together correctly and efficiently. It’s crucial to consider where to place seams and stitching to optimize material use and ensure comfort. It also helps the multidisciplinary product development team to deliberate the decision related to stress tests or drop tests, particularly for plastic components.

Architecture Study

Create assets for architecture study:

Make a plan before going to the shop:

Embrace Agile Methods:

Flexible Modeling Method: For each objective, form a hypothesis. Be strategic about when to use rough prototypes for quick learning or proof of concept, and when to focus on craftsmanship to anticipate fabrication and assembly challenges. Efficiently plan and prioritize your time for maximum productivity.