How many prototypes does it take for you to come up with a usable new design?

**Pitch** · 10-08-2009, 20:25

This can only go back and forth so many times ... but you can only simulate (mentally or with tools) so far - reality is the acid test ;-)

**PuckerFactor** · 10-08-2009, 20:57

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Prototypes are not products that you made incorrectly. They are products that show a deficiency in the design, something you would not have known about unless you implemented the design and put it to use.

True, but I tend to mull projects over in my head for weeks before I ever touch the scissors or saw or whatever.

Originally Posted by Albert Skye

Careful contemplation (virtual/imagined prototyping, as it were) can save resources and often bypass physical prototyping but it may take more time.

Thanks Albert, this is more what I meant to say.

Acer

**MacEntyre** · 10-08-2009, 21:20

Sounds like several Mozarts are among us!

Another reason I made 7 prototypes was to have six other people help me field test the product.

- MacEntyre

**Frawg** · 10-08-2009, 22:03

How many prototypes? ...just one more!

**te-wa** · 10-08-2009, 23:02

are ex-girlfriends considered "prototypes"?

**Merganser** · 10-09-2009, 07:16

I think a lot depends on what counts as a prototype? Does it have to require new materials? Does it have to be a complete work?

On both my BB clone and my UQ did a lot of partial prototyping. I think it took 3 hammock body prototypes. For the UQ I did 2 single fabric layer prototypes trying out dart patterns. In both cases there were things I only did on the final version (actually that was most of the UQ) and there are things I'd do a bit differently if I did it again. But I did enough with prototypes to predict the rest and the results on both projects were good. A purist would say these are both still prototypes and I have yet to make a production model.

**RootCause** · 10-09-2009, 07:40

I spend a lot of time thinking through the project before I ever touch scissors, metal, wood, etc. Normally my first <item> prototype is rushed in the making, becoming something functional but ugly.... it's my practice piece! Then, with the initial excitement over, I can settle down and more patiently make a second <item> that works and looks as good as I mean for it to.

Exceptions: my first hammock is still in use as is. Wait, that's not true. I went back, undid the whipping, hemmed the edges, and re-whipped. Is that now considered version 1.1? Or still 1.0?

I'm loving alcohol stoves now- rapid prototyping! I no longer buy beverages based on flavor, but instead on the can they come in!!

**Frawg** · 10-09-2009, 08:29

Okay, serious answer...

It really all depends. If I knew everything, I would never need to prototype. It's the lack of knowledge that makes prototyping necessary. And we never really know what we don't know until it makes itself known, often unpleasantly.

I rarely make fewer than 3, in phases, as follows:

First I think long and hard about what I'm trying to accomplish, then research how others have gone about it, as well as whatever special knowledge I need to gain to be able to solve the problem. 82.947% (

) of the solution lies in correctly defining the problem.

Once I have a general idea of what I need to do, I look for critical areas that have to work for the overall concept to be successful. I may set up one or more 'spike' tests or partial prototypes to evaluate these criticalities. Here's where new knowledge often appears. Here I make a go / no go / defer decision.

After satisfying myself that a solution exists, I'll then make a rough but functional prototype. The key here is to figure out how to go about properly making the thing. Here's where I often discover that I really didn't understand something in the first place. My first experiments with UCRs in the original thread went this way, for example. At this point I will either drop the idea, go back to the drawing board or press on with a third phase.

In the next phase I try to optimize the design by experimenting with whatever parameters can be adjusted. This could easily involve making several 'prototypes'. At the end of this phase I make a final go/no go decision.

In the last phase I focus on fabrication issues, developing the 'best' (however I define it at the time) way to put the thing together.

At this point I have something I can now use, and I know how to replicate it for replacement or for someone else.

I'm not sure how that answers your question, but it's the best I can do for now.

**Dutch** · 10-09-2009, 09:04

I usually go for 1 proto type and work out the all details on that. Than once I got it that far will draw things and make a list of the steps needed. This has held pretty good results. I was able to do the bridgesin with only one prototype and that was the most complex project I sewn. I tend to work things out in my head for quite a while before I start a project. Mostly that is because I have a lot of projects and it takes a while form conception to production. That and I have too much time to think about gear at work.

**Perkolady** · 10-09-2009, 10:03

I usually think things through a LOT before making. Thing is, I don't know if it will work well until I try it. Then, I make another with the changes I need to make. And another, and another.... whatever it takes! Never know how many times though!

When I made my double layer hammock with zipper and netting, I was using wally fabric and supplies mostly scavenged off of other things. I really thought it would just be for 'practice' and I planned on having to redo a lot of stuff. The big surprise was having it turn out well! There's very little I will change on it when I go to make the next one.

If you make something during a 'blue moon', it may work out the first time!

But if not, try , try again....