Prototyping & Iteration
📋 What it is
A prototype is a rough, quick version you build to test an idea; iteration means improving it based on what the test shows.
🗣️ Coach says
Don’t polish — prototype. A prototype is a quick, rough build just to test if an idea works. It’s meant to be imperfect, so you learn fast and cheaply. Then you iterate: change one thing, test again. Fail small, learn big.
🧠 Memory hook
Prototype = rough test build. Iterate = change, test, repeat. Fail small.
😂 Giggle
Why was the soldering iron always invited to parties?
It knew how to make great connections!
😲 Whoa!
Some product designers build dozens of cardboard or clay prototypes before making anything final — it’s faster and cheaper to learn.
✅ Quick check: Why is a prototype meant to be rough and quick instead of polished?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
So you can test the idea fast and cheaply, learn what works, and improve it — polishing too early wastes effort if the idea needs changing.
Prototype-to-learn is the engine of the whole design process.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Think of an idea and name a rough material (cardboard, clay) you’d prototype it with.