When you’re in the process of creating a new product, you likely want to have a smooth and successful process. Prototyping is a necessary step to take if you want to get a better visual of the product and ensure it’s functional and meets the needs of the consumer.
Trial and Error
When having a prototype of your product, you’ll get the chance to perform trial and error to determine what types of kinks need to be worked out. You can avoid user confusion by making any necessary improvements after consumers interact with a working model. You can get the chance to get customer feedback with a prototype and even review requests they have for certain changes they want to be made.
Save Time and Money
One of the main reasons many companies value prototyping is because it can save them a significant amount of time and money in the future after the designs and the product has already been released on the market. It can help you avoid changes that have to be made and improve the quality of the specifications. Making any changes after the product has been released will cost a lot more than if the changes are made during the design process.
When changes are made, it can also slow down the sales if you have to pull the item off of the shelves for a limited amount of time, which can limit the success of your product. A prototype can allow you to determine what customers are looking for early on and with the use of more affordable software.
User Confusion
A few drawbacks come with making a prototype, which includes user confusion. Some people may not know why it doesn’t look finished or polished. Prototyping also comes with excessive development time, and the process is bound to run into a few roadblocks when there are disagreements about the details of the product. Fortunately, with 3D printing, it can make the process quicker and more efficient.
Conflict Resolution
Engineers can often differ and disagree when it comes to the design of a product that is in the works. Making a prototype allows different iterations can be performed and can resolve conflicts by revealing the best answer.
Create a Common Vision
Prototypes can be useful for creating a common vision among stakeholders and consumers by getting a chance to see the application design. When stakeholders get a visual of the product they’re investing in, they can have more confidence and a better idea of the item.
You can avoid confusion and also communicate more effectively if you have a prototype to present to ensure the vision is clear and understood by all parties involved. On-going support is typically stronger when prototypes are created, which can allow you to have the necessary funds to push it forward.
It also helps to create excitement within your company or organization when your employees have a visual. They show that there’s been positive process and can allow everyone to become more passionate about the work they’ve performed when they see it ahead of time.
Usability
The main purpose of prototyping is to determine how user-friendly your product is before it’s completed. If your customers are satisfied with the design of the product, they’ll likely become loyal to your brand and have a higher chance of purchasing the other products you have available. A prototype can allow you to get more accurate feedback that you can count on before deciding what changes to make and what features can be left before the product is sold.
Prototyping Makes Better Designs
By understanding the benefits of making a prototype with the product design process, it can allow you to value the step and put more time and effort into it. You can learn more about the benefits of prototyping designs on the Adobe XD Ideas content hub, where there are several article on how to prototype and what to get out of the process. Prototyping can not only save you time and money but can allow the product to become more successful among consumers once it’s on the market.
