The Three Proven Types of Rapid Prototyping that you Can Do Instantly

In 2012 I met Tom Chi from Google and Yahoo, who introduced me to Rapid Prototyping. And wow! It changed everything for me around the topics of innovation and product development.

Recently, I produced a Master Series, 'Rapid Prototyping Your Product Before You Build It'. We cover Walt Disney, Sir James Dyson and Jake Knapp. We end our deep dive into rapid prototyping with the superstar, Tom Chi, who relives a story on iterating and stress-testing any business model and how it is the true essence of entrepreneurship.

Three main types of Rapid Prototyping have worked well for me over the last decade:

1. Diagnostic prototyping via role play with people. No pencils or laptops are required. Conduct an interview, role-play a scenario or do a card-sorting discussion.
2. Interactive prototyping with pencils, paper and sticky notes. Sketch a webpage or a screen.
3. Journey Prototyping with tools such as Figma or Adobe XD. Start with onboarding, search or other simple user flows.

What are the benefits of rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is a design and development process involving simplified versions of a product or service to test and refine the core features and user experience quickly.

Some benefits of rapid prototyping include the following:

1. Allows for early user testing: Rapid prototyping will enable developers to test their ideas with potential users early in the design process. Early testing can help to identify problems and areas for improvement before a lot of time and resources have been invested in the final product.
2. Improve design quality: Developers can improve the final product's overall design and user experience by testing and iterating on prototypes. This testing can lead to higher customer satisfaction and increased success in the market.
3. Reduces development time and costs: Rapid prototyping allows developers to identify and solve problems early in the design process, saving time and reducing development costs in the long run.
4. Increases efficiency: Rapid prototyping allows developers to quickly test and iterate on different design options, saving time and increasing the development process's efficiency.
5. Facilitates collaboration: Rapid prototyping can be a collaborative process that involves input and feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including designers, developers, and potential users. This feedback can help to ensure that the final product meets the needs of all parties involved.

What is the history of rapid prototyping

Rapid prototyping is a design and development process involving simplified versions of a product or service to test and refine the core features and user experience quickly. The concept of rapid prototyping has been around for decades and has evolved as technology has advanced.

One of the earliest forms of rapid prototyping was called "rapid prototyping by machining," which was developed in the 1980s. This method involved using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a 3D model of a product and then using specialized machines to cut the model out of a block of material, such as metal or plastic.

In the late 1980s, the first "rapid prototyping by additive manufacturing" systems was developed. These systems used lasers or other methods to build up layers of material to create a 3D model, rather than subtracting material from a block like in machining. This process is now more commonly known as 3D printing.

Since these early rapid prototyping methods were developed, the technology has continued to evolve and improve. Rapid prototyping is widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. It is an essential tool for designers and developers to quickly test and refine their ideas before committing to developing the final product.

What are the best books on rapid prototyping?

Many books are available on rapid prototyping, a design and development process involving creating simplified versions of a product or service to test and refine the core features and user experience quickly. Here are a few highly regarded books on the subject:

Art of Innovation, The

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Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing

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The Epic Guide to Agile: More Business Value on a Predictable Schedule with Scrum

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What are the best videos on Rapid Prototyping?

There are many videos available on the subject of rapid prototyping, a design and development process that involves creating simplified versions of a product or service to test and refine the core features and user experience quickly. Here are a few highly regarded videos on the subject:

These videos cover various topics related to rapid prototyping, including different technologies and methods, materials and applications, and best practices for using rapid prototyping in product development. In addition, they can be a valuable resource for designers, developers, and other professionals looking to learn more about this powerful tool.

How do you rapid prototype a mobile app

Rapid mobile app prototyping involves creating a simplified version that can be used to test and iterate on the core features and user experience.

There are several steps involved in rapid prototyping a mobile app:

1. Define the problem or opportunity that the app is intended to solve.
2. Identify the key features and user flows necessary to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity.
3. Create a low-fidelity prototype using wireframing tools or paper and pencil. This prototype should include the basic layout and user flow but does not need to include detailed design elements.
4. Test the prototype with potential users to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
5. Iterate on the prototype based on the feedback received and continue testing until the core features, and user flow are refined.
6. Once the core features and user flow are finalized, create a high-fidelity prototype with detailed design elements and a more polished user experience.
7. Test the high-fidelity prototype with users to gather final feedback and make any necessary adjustments before building the app's last version.

Rapid prototyping is an iterative process that allows developers to quickly test and refine the core features and user experience of a mobile app without investing a lot of time and resources into building the final product. This process helps to ensure that the app's last version is well-designed and meets the target audience's needs.