A prototype is a necessary step in the design and production of a product.Before you can convince people to buy your product, you need to refine your design and present a working model.Basic prototypes can be made with household materials, but there are plenty of machine shops, 3D printing firms, and other places that can build you a prototype in a short amount of time.To get your prototype made, present a thought-out design and find a company that's right for you.
Step 1: Take the products apart.
If you don't come up with something original, your product will have competitors in the market.Get those products and disassemble them.If you are building a jetpack, remove the other one.You can save time and improve upon your design by looking at the materials used.For electronic products, dig into the coding.You can improve the product to make it more successful.You will get sued if you copy someone else's design.What you learn will help you refine your design.
Step 2: You should make a sketch of your product.
Write or type out your ideas on a piece of paper.If you can, draw what your product will look like.This will give you a rough idea of how the first prototype will look and allow you to improve the design before investing in a prototype.You can use the sketch to figure out what features are needed for your design.Pick the few features that allow your design to function and limit the amount of costly extras, such as painting and adding voice commands to your robot vacuum design.
Step 3: You can get a computer-aided design for your prototype.
A professional can help you with the training.The computer design is more detailed than your initial sketch.In order to get the most clear and detailed idea of your product, you will have to give this design to the prototype maker.You will need this if your product isn't something you can make at home.You should check the credentials of your designer as well as their cost per hour.They may have credentials from a certified school program.
Step 4: A handmade version of your design is possible.
The first example of your prototype can be made at home to save money.You can make physical products out of whatever you have around your house, such as making your leather handbag design from some nylon clothing.Having a sample design of your product will give you another chance to refine your design.The design doesn't need to be perfect.Your idea is possible if this handmade design is presentable.You have to consider why you made it the way you did when you use alternate material from your original design.The nylon works better than the leather for your bag.Shapelock is a cheap modeling product that can be molded like clay.If you want to save time on coding and image design, look for third-party programming libraries.These parts should be filled in later.
Step 5: A modeling program can be used.
You can use computer software to make a digital prototype while making a physical design.Various types of software take your idea, either drawn out on paper or inside the software itself, and turn it into a 3D, interactive design at less time and cost than making it yourself or hiring help.Prototyping on Paper and InVision allow you to create interactive models to mimic how customers will handle your product.Dribbble and Freebiesbug can be used to buy user interface for mobile applications in order to save time and money.Skala Preview can be used to monitor changes you make to your design.
Step 6: You can find prototype makers that fit your budget.
Labor costs are involved in prototype-making.It gets more expensive to make a prototype.The same material should be used for your prototype and final product.Check the costs and credentials of company representatives.Professional designers can be found on free sites.A student from a local university may be able to make your prototype cheaper.
Step 7: Protect your design.
To make sure the prototype is true to your design, ask the company about their credentials and past work.Unless you have a patent, get a non-disclosure agreement from the company or designer before you hire them.Prospective buyers will be easier to sell to if the prototype looks professional.If someone stole your design, the non-disclosure agreement serves as legal protection.
Step 8: Think about 3D printing.
3D printing is growing fast.These printers use scanned or computer-made 3D models to layer material into a prototype.Many firms offer a cheaper alternative to prototype-making.Before you hire a company, be sure to check their costs and credentials.You may be able to print the prototype yourself because these printers are increasingly found in homes.If you don't have a patent, you should get a non-disclosure agreement.
Step 9: Obtain funding.
A good prototype will appeal to investors.You can approach friends and family for extra funding, but you may need to approach other sources to make your product a reality.pitching your product to companies is one of the ways to do this.You can showcase your design for pre- purchases on sites such as Kickstarter.You can trade equity in your product for an investment.Contact brand names that would be interested in your product or seek out individual investors to convince them of the success of your idea.
Step 10: You have to fill your orders.
You should make as many products as you can sell.If you don't have a lot of money on hand, the initial construction cost of a prototype is more expensive than you might think.You will need to improve upon the design if you want to sell your product.In addition to manufacturing and storage, consider packaging and shipping costs.