Developing a Design Prototype

We are lucky in that we receive a lot of valid leads from our website. I’m not sure why it’s been successful, but people seem very willing to enter their information into our contact form. I’m glad they are, because we want to help if we can. But the thing I find interesting is that in the majority of the cases, I’m guessing 80%+, in the comments section people say something to the effect of, “I would like help in developing a prototype”.

I’m not downplaying the importance of developing prototypes as part of the product development process. But I often wonder why folks lead with “I would like to develop a prototype” as if that is THE goal. Perhaps it’s just an ignorance of the product development process, and that is completely fair. Most people don’t know how to take a product through the product development process or what the product development process even looks like.

While I understand that someone may be ignorant about the process, I’m still curious why they lead with “develop a prototype” instead of “develop my product” or “develop my idea”. Why does the goal seem to be to develop a prototype? Shouldn’t the goal be to develop the product?

I suppose the answer to my curiosity is that’s generally what the “internet” says to do. Define your idea and then develop a prototype of your idea. Generally speaking, they’re right. However, developing a prototype isn’t the end goal.

If the goal is to just develop a prototype, you’re left with a very expensive prototype when you’ve reached your goal. If the goal is to develop your product, you have a marketable product when you’ve reached your goal.

Developing a prototype is an important part of the process, but it often takes several prototypes before the design is refined to the point that you’re happy.

So when you contact us and tell us you would like to develop a prototype, please don’t take it as us being rude when we ask why? We’re genuinely curious as to why you want to spend all of that money just to get a prototype.

Feel free to comment “I would like to develop a prototype” in our contact form. Then let’s talk about what your plans are beyond building a prototype.