Iterating on prototypes means looking for ways to improve the form and the functionof the design
Iterations of chair prototypes - from earliest to latest (left to right)
Iterations of Dyson vacuums - from earliest to latest (left to right)
ITERATION: Form + Function
FORM: HOW IT LOOKS
FUNCTION: HOW IT WORKS
How could you improve the visual aspects of a hot-glued cardboard early prototype?
How could you improve the functionality of your innovation?
Discuss as a class!
Discuss as a class!
As we iterate on our designs, our prototypes should improve in quality and in their ability to more accurately represent and demonstrate our project's concept.
Professional designers make MANY iterations of their prototypes.
Prototype One
Prototype Two
Prototype Three
ITERATION
Prototype One
Prototype Two
Prototype Twelve
ITERATION
Here you can see the designer iterated many times using cardboard in order to figure out how to make a human-scale foldable building (seen in the last image on the right). With each iteration, the designer looked for ways to improve the form and function of their design.
Be Precise- how you cut, clean (e.g., hot glue strings), and decorate your project can go a long way towards visual improvement!
Precise Cuts
Clean Project
ITERATION: FORM - Improving how the prototype looks
Digital fabrication is an option for more precise creation of parts, which improves the look of your project
Laser Cutting
3D Printing
ITERATION: FORM - Improving how the prototype looks
Using new mechanisms can better demonstrate and test the movement and function of a project.
ITERATION: FUNCTION - Improving how the prototype works
Getting feedback from the end-users (or your teacher/classmates, if necessary) is the best way to improve how your prototype works.
ITERATION: FUNCTION - Improving how the prototype works
Continue to test and improve your project until presentation day.
Manage your time to ensure you have a presentable prototype in time.
LAST THOUGHTS: ADVANCED PROTOTYPING
ITERATION
STUDENT EXAMPLES
Idea Sketch
Early Prototype
Later Prototype
Custom
Cast
Project
Motion
Tracking
Lamp
Project
1st Prototype
5th Prototype
Final Prototype
This student use the iterative design process to continuously explore out the form and the function of their lamp project
Segmented
Vehicle
1st Prototype
2nd Prototype
Final Prototype
This student progressed from testing shapes with cardboard to 3D modeling the design in Rhino, and finally integrating electronics
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