RAPID PROTOTYPING

Rapid prototyping is an agile strategy used to create a prototype quickly to visually evaluate a product or part of the product. Sometimes individual parts are created separately and assembled later to test the prototype of product.

As the name suggests, Rapid prototyping is a quick way to put a concept in physical form. The solution conceptualized in the previous phase or the release planned in a sprint is put in more visual form. For IT solutions, there are various Rapid prototyping techniques such as Sketch, Wireframe, and Mock-up. For Physical products, the rapid prototypes are made through Additive manufacturing (Stereolithography (SLA), Selective laser sintering (SLS)), CNC Machining or Casting. The new technology such as 3D Printing has made the Rapid Prototyping of complex designs simpler.

The rapid prototypes of the solution are reviewed by the stakeholders. Through this process, some alternate solutions are discarded and others move forward with feedback for enhancements. This makes the development process fast and cost efficient, before we move forward to design, build and test the functional prototypes of the solution, which are more time-taking and resource-intensive activity.

Sketch

Sketches are freehand drawings on a piece of paper or in a digital tool that gives us a basic representation of concept. Sketches can be very helpful during the conceptualization and initial visualization phase of design process.

Wireframing

Wireframes are low-fidelity design artifacts that represent only essential elements of UI (wireframes look like they were designed with wires, and that’s where the name comes from). Wireframes act as skeletons for design - they depict the basic UI and become a blueprint for the product.

Proof of Concept or Mock-up

Mockups are a mid-or high-fidelity visualization of your design. Mockups deliver the visual look of the product design, and they are great for evaluating the look and feel of the design.

3D Printing

Using a 3D printer for rapid prototyping is a smart way to save time and money while also expanding design possibilities. It allows companies to physically conceptualize designs and ideas quickly and at a low cost.