Prototype Development
Overview
A student finishes a prototype, photographs it, and writes an evaluation that says it went well, the client liked it, and with more time the finish could have been better. Three sentences, and not one of them could be wrong. Nothing in it refers to a requirement, nothing was measured, nothing was tested by anybody who did not already want it to succeed, and no modification is proposed that anybody could act on. It is not an evaluation; it is a caption.
This lesson is about the other kind. You will learn what the specification means by a prototype, which it says can describe either a product or a system; how the development of a prototype satisfies the requirements of the brief, responds to the client's wants and needs, demonstrates innovation, is functional, considers aesthetics and is potentially marketable; and then how to evaluate one properly, reflecting critically and responding to feedback, assessing whether it is fit for purpose, and suggesting modifications to improve it through inception and manufacture. This is designing and making principles content, examined in Section C of Paper 1, and it is the topic the largest two criteria of the design and make task are built on.
Objectives
- Design and develop prototypes in response to client wants and needs. Note: the term prototype can be used to describe either a product or system. How the development of prototypes:
- satisfy the requirements of the brief
- respond to the client’s wants and needs
- demonstrate innovation
- are functional
- consider aesthetics
- are potentially marketable.
- Students should know and understand how to evaluate prototypes and be able to:
- reflect critically, responding to feedback when evaluating their own prototypes
- assess if prototypes are fit for purpose
- suggest modifications to improve them through inception and manufacture
- In relation to at least one of the following material categories students must develop and apply an in-depth knowledge and understanding of sections Selection of materials and components (page 32) to Specialist techniques and processes (page 33)
- papers and boards
- timber based materials
- metal based materials
- polymers
Mind map
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Prototype Development. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- According to the specification, the term prototype can describe A. only a rough test piece. B. either a product or a system. C. only a finished product. D. only a computer model. Answer: B
- Which of these is a client need rather than a want? A. It would be nice in blue B. It must fit through a 600 millimetre doorway C. A matt finish would look better D. It could have a logo on the front Answer: B
- A prototype is tested by giving it to the intended user, in the place it will be used, doing the real task. This is mainly assessing whether it is A. marketable. B. innovative. C. fit for purpose. D. aesthetically pleasing. Answer: C
- A student proposes changing from a carried box to a wall mounted rack after testing. This is a modification at A. inception. B. manufacture. C. evaluation. D. disposal. Answer: A
- Which model would a designer make first to decide whether a hand held product is the right size? A. An appearance model B. A block model in foam or card C. A pre-production prototype D. A breadboard circuit Answer: B
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