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How do I go about building a Prototype?

Home » Entrepreneurship » Prototyping » How do I go about building a Prototype?

If you are an inventor or designer who works on projects in your back shed, you've probably already come up with a working prototype. However, if you don’t have anything more than designs on paper, or if you're technically challenged, then professional help will most likely be needed to put a prototype together.

When looking for professional help in building a prototype, most often the first place to start will be with an industrial designer. The job of an industrial designer is to take designs and make them more useable and attractive. The cost of industrial designers is not inexpensive but they will make sure that the design of the prototype meets with the relative standards and that it operates as you intended.

Locating a prototype designer can be simply a matter of using the telephone book or an internet search engine to find someone that has the specialist skills you need and is located in your area. Shop around for a designer and always make sure any quotes given are broken down and approved as phases so the costs are not incurred all at once. Depending on the industry, some manufacturers will actually help develop the prototype and there are organizations that can help you get connected to manufacturers.

Before spending money on a prototype, do some initial research to look at the market, competition, patentability, and think about how and where the new product will be distributed. Be sure there is a real need for the product and that the market is large enough to ensure that sales will cover development costs. Many companies make prototypes, but often they specialize in particular types of materials, like plastics or wood. To locate the right company use an internet search engine or contact your local industrial organizations for members with the appropriate skills.

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