Prototyping services have been increasing worldwide in recent years, and the global rapid prototyping market is estimated to be worth 2.6 million by 2025. If you’re not already using prototyping to test out ideas during product development, then now is the time to change that.
But what is prototyping? And how exactly can it benefit businesses?
When you’re creating a product, it’s an experimental process which means it helps to see an example model of concept ideas before you pick the final design. A still image isn’t enough to see the full scale of your product; you need to hold it in person and explore the different features.
Here’s why prototyping services are essential for business.
Understanding Prototypes
A prototype is a test sample of your product which can come in many forms depending on the design. You can have an early design of a car or a coding prototype for new software. Prototyping services exist to give you the best chance of success with your product by creating a high-quality sample model.
The prototyping phase is when you can discover any major issues and fix them before you release a product to the public. You can also present a prototype to your target audience as market research to experiment with their reaction. Plus, you can observe how your community responds to the design.
This is ideal for marketing departments and designers as you can identify flaws before the product is finalized. If you don’t create prototypes, you could invest in a manufacturing contract for a product that won’t make any money. Therefore, a prototype will also save you money and time later on.
Before you hire a prototyping service, it’s important to understand the two separate categories involved in this stage of product development.
Types of Prototyping Services
Prototyping services are divided into two main categories: low-fidelity and high-fidelity.
So, what is the difference between these two categories?
Firstly, low-fidelity prototyping refers to anything from sketches to other visual paper forms of models. For instance, you will most likely be offered low-fidelity prototyping if you request a mockup product design. Especially if it can be quickly drawn on paper. This prototyping is the first step to bringing your ideas to life.
You can get low-fidelity prototypes in 3D printouts or other physical copies. This allows you to see dimensions and features more closely. This is also good if you want to test color schemes and experiment with the placement of the different parts. This is the best option for people who need a quick and affordable prototype.
Visual prototyping is another useful low-fidelity prototype if your product is online and needs reliable software. You can use this type of prototyping for UX/UI design when you have to test the features for users. Typically, prototyping services will offer this in the form of a PowerPoint or a software tool for you to oversee the concept.
High-Fidelity Prototypes
High-fidelity prototypes are more complex and detailed than low-fidelity options, which is why they can be more expensive. But the great thing about high-fidelity prototypes is you will get a prototype that is more realistic and closer to the final dimensions. This means you can determine if the design works without visualizing it from a paper sketch.
Many prototyping services will provide coding prototypes that include all the features of the design as well as the appearance and scale of the product.
You can also get a functional prototype that enables you to test the system or edit the AI elements to make it run smoothly for customers. This will vary based on your product, so the choice between high-fidelity and low-fidelity prototypes will come down to your budget, size, and stage of product development.
Are Prototyping Services Worth It?
The last thing you want is to launch a product to your customers and receive hundreds of complaints about efficiency. After years of working on an idea, this can be devastating to your business plans. But it can be avoided.
For instance, prototyping services can recommend improvements, so your product is in the best shape before advertising the final design. When you work with a professional prototyping service, they will have experience with the market and be able to guide you in the right direction if they notice weak points in the design.
The quality of your products is not the only priority in the product development stage. You also need to consider the production rate and how quickly you can make products for the mass market. If you have a product that takes too long to produce, this will prevent you from reaching sales goals.
When you spot issues with production rates and change features to make the manufacturing process quicker, you will have a better chance of making sales.
Ultimately, using a prototyping service is beneficial to your users and customers. Your target audience will notice if you don’t go through several prototyping stages to find the perfect product. This is particularly important if you have an online product that relies on user interaction. But a physical product also needs to add value to your customers’ lives.
You’ll never know your idea works until you test it in real life. Otherwise, your great concept will remain a good idea on paper but never succeed in the real world. Prototyping is the only way to ensure everything works well and is of the best quality.
Start Working With a Prototyping Service Now
Prototyping services are only beneficial when you pick the right company to work with and double-check that they offer the services you’re looking for. To save you time, here is everything our prototyping services offer at China 2 West:
- Injection molding
- Clay molding
- 3D printing and scanning
- CNC machining
And much more!
We offer a speedy service of 3D printing up to 30cm cubed with same-day service. So, if you need a prototype made quickly, we can help.
Find out more about our 3D printing and engineering software on our website, where you can reach the team to discuss your prototype concepts.
