From idea to prototype, here are the six simple steps you need to follow to get your product idea started. Follow these steps to get started today.
In 2016, there were more than 72 million cars produced throughout the world. That number has grown nearly every year since 2009.
Manufacturing cars takes a lot of lead-time, and prototyping is arguably one of the most important phases. The prototype lets you test your concept so it’s refined before launch.
Learn these 6 simple steps to understand how to make a prototype.
1. Start with Getting Out Your Ideas
The first step toward prototyping is nailing down the concept for your product idea. Your team may have several different concepts to work through before you can decide on the version that gets to move forward.
To start, get everything out through a brainstorming exercise. Whiteboard your ideas and move everyone forward to a consensus. At the end of the session, you should have a defined prototype concept that can move forward through additional details.
2. Think Through User Experience
It isn’t just about design and concept. Your prototype should align with the user experience you want for the end-user.
While developing your car prototype, think through everything the user wants and needs. What current features about cars can you leave behind? Is there anything that needs to improve? Are there new features you’d like to test?
Map out how you want the user to interact with the car from entering to driving and adjusting settings.
3. Create a Digital Design or Clay Model
Now that you have your concept and user experience, move your prototype towards physical development. We recommend creating a digital design or clay model of your prototype.
Using the design, you can start to think through aesthetics and style.
4. Consider Interior Design
Your car’s function and exterior should make way for you to begin developing interior design as well. Consider where all your features should be available in your car. Prototyping the interior is a very in-depth process, so it’s important to be as detailed as possible.
5. Finalize Aesthetics
Next, think about your car’s aesthetics. Not all of these decisions will carry through to the initial prototype, but it’s important to have your options on hand.
Consider everything from color, textures, decorative additions, and more. Having a physical prototype will make it easier to refine these types of decisions if you already have them ready to review.
6. Make a Prototype for Testing
The last step is to finally move forward with developing a physical prototype. You can use car prototype patterns to move toward manufacturing more quickly. Even if you use a pattern, you’ll still have access to custom design fixtures and parts.
Refine Your Prototype Model
When you make a prototype, it may not be the end of your project lifecycle. The prototype is there to guide you through testing and help you determine what to keep or remove. Use your prototype to push your concept further down the ready and to the point where it’s ready for manufacturing or development.
For more about DIY car projects, visit our blog.
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