Prototype

A Prototype is an concept validation model that facilitest concept testing or process testing in a real-world environments.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be used to evaluate a new design to enhance precision and usability by system analysts and potential users.
  • ...
  • It can provide specifications for a real, working system rather than a theoretical one.
  • It can be the step between formalization and evaluation of an idea.
  • It can follow a Proof of Concept (PoC) to test more advanced features and user interactions.
  • It can act as the basis for early user feedback to refine the final design.
  • It can incorporate feedback loops to guide further iterations in the development process.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • A Physical Prototype of a new smartphone design to test ergonomics and user interface.
  • A Software Prototype of a new application to demonstrate key features and user workflows.
  • A Paper Prototype of a website layout to quickly iterate on design ideas.
  • A Virtual Prototype for evaluating product behavior in simulated environments.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Concept Sketches: These are initial ideas on paper but lack the functional aspects of a prototype.
  • Mockups: These visually depict a product's design but lack the interactivity of a prototype.
  • Proof of Concepts, ...
  • Minimal Viable Products, ...
  • Final Product: This is the completed, market-ready version that has already passed the prototype stage.
• See: Design Process, Software Prototyping, Virtual Prototyping, Materialization, Evaluation, Proof of Concept (PoC), Stereotype, Archetype

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prototype Retrieved:2024-10-8.
  • A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. A prototype is generally used to evaluate a new design to enhance precision by system analysts and users. Prototyping serves to provide specifications for a real, working system rather than a theoretical one. Physical prototyping has a long history, and paper prototyping and virtual prototyping now extensively complement it. In some design workflow models, creating a prototype (a process sometimes called materialization) is the step between the formalization and the evaluation of an idea. A prototype can also mean a typical example of something such as in the use of the derivation 'prototypical'. This is a useful term in identifying objects, behaviours and concepts which are considered the accepted norm and is analogous with terms such as stereotypes and archetypes. The word prototype derives from the Greek , "primitive form", neutral of , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος protos, "first" and τύπος typos, "impression" (originally in the sense of a mark left by a blow, then by a stamp struck by a die (note "typewriter"); by implication a scar or mark; by analogy a shape i.e. a statue, (figuratively) style, or resemblance; a model for imitation or illustrative example—note "typical").

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