2.2.6 Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is used to create physical prototypes quickly for potential users and design teams to interact with them and provide feedback to drive design development forward.

A. Design in Theory

A2.2 Prototyping techniques

By the end of this topic, you should be able to...

respond to emerging technologies and describe the advantages and disadvantages of why designers use rapid prototyping techniques, such as: stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modelling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS).

Guiding Question

How do designers understand the relationship between users, the product and the environment?

Linking Questions

What ergonomic aspects should be considered when selecting prototyping techniques? (A1.1)
How are concept models used to generate user feedback in a user-centred design (UCD) approach? (B1.1)
Why are different prototyping techniques used as part of the design process? (B2.1)
How does a good understanding of prototyping techniques help designers approach modelling and prototyping of their potential design solutions? (B2.2)
How can prototyping techniques be used to evaluate the appropriateness of material selection? (B3.1)
To what extent can virtual prototypes and simulations model real-world situations involving structural, mechanical and electronic systems? (B3.2, B3.3, B3.4)