How to prototype your idea

There are several different styles and progressions of prototypes dependent on your individual needs. Below you will find the main different types of prototypes, what they can be used for and how to avoid costly mistakes.

We have also created a guide , the Info Pack. How to commercialise your idea and inventing for Profit.

Functional Prototype

Test your prototype with potential customers to find out if they like the way it works. Save money by avoiding adding manufacturing details and making it look too good.

Barry Jenkins, the founder of Fuel the Adventure, used a functional prototype we made to help verify the charging system worked on his power bank.

Form and Function Prototype

A Form and Function Prototype communicates the design’s style and features but has not yet been fully refined for manufacture. It can help you raise money from investors or on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter.

Cocktail drinks dispenser, MyBar, used the prototype we built to raise over £20,000 on Kickstarter.

Pre-Production Prototype

Check that your manufacture ready design functions correctly before you place large orders. Try to make this prototype as close to the final design as possible with all the manufacturing details and similar materials.

Tara Lalvani, the founder of Beautifect, asked us to make a Pre-Production Prototype of her make-up case to check the design before committing to her first production order.

Innovate has their own on-site workshop used for prototype manufacturing done at a number of varying levels. For anything we cannot help with we have company links with which we can outsource some modeling. Prototypes can only be quoted once design work is complete.To learn more about how Innovate can help you better understand how to make a prototype of your idea, contact one of our specialists today.

Prototyping services include:

  • 3D Printing
  • CNC Machining
  • Vacuum Casting
  • Rapid Injection Moulding
  • Laser Cutting
  • Electronics Hardware and Software
  • Fabrics and Textiles
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • App Prototypes

There are several different styles and progressions of prototypes that Innovate can help create for your project, dependent on your individual needs.