Prototyping in the general sense is called one of the varieties of design and research modeling. The objective of such a study is the possibility of a visual study of the properties of the designed object, structure or product. Prototyping is the process of creating a three-dimensional image that allows you to determine the parameters of the spatial structure, dimensions, plasticity and proportions of surfaces. The designer, when creating the layout, is primarily determined by its scale, as well as by the color and texture, which could reflect the main features of the completed product.
Targets and goals
The need for professional prototyping exists in many fields of activity: in architectural construction, at the initial production stages in industry, in the advertising business and demonstration activities of companies. In some areas of activity, a higher degree of thoroughness at work is required.
For example, the task of creating industrial models usually consists in demonstrating the functioning of various parts and assemblies in miniature, as well as representing the dynamic processes occurring in them. In the commercial or advertising direction of this activity, the quality perception of the object at a visual level is rather important. Prototyping in design often requires a compromise between the author’s idea and technical limitations when creating a layout.
Process features
First of all, the parameters and nuances in the development depend on the scope within which the layout is created. However, there are a number of generalized features suitable for each type of layout. The designer will certainly consider the following questions before proceeding with the development:
- Determining the typology of an object or mock objects.
- Miscalculation of all design stages, statement of work tasks.
- Choosing the most suitable material and layout technology.
- A rough estimate of the complexity and real complexity of the project.
- Finding the design features of the layout. Determination of a sufficient degree of detail for each object.
- Finding a suitable production area for assembly. Writing down the nuances during transportation and long-term storage of the finished layout.
- Comparison of their own established traditions, preferences and personal experience with current methodological recommendations and current production standards.
The basics of prototyping, listed in the list above, allow the designer to decide on the selection of the correct scale. It is worth noting that this moment is one of the key and affects all further work.
To better understand the features of such an activity, several basic types of layouts should be considered. An unambiguous classification does not exist, because each development can be assigned to several types and types at once, depending on the field of activity, as well as the methods and technologies used.
Paper color mockups
For prototyping from paper, a number of materials are used, including cardboard, foam board, polystyrene foam and, of course, ordinary paper. Later, the finished layout is pasted on top with a color film. The scope of this type can be any, but it is worth noting the worse detailing of paper products than similar projects made of plastic or other hard materials.
Among other things, paper mock-ups are less durable and more susceptible to temperature extremes and jumps in humidity in the room than any others. Frequent transportation can also be fraught with such materials. At the same time, prototyping from paper and cardboard has one significant plus - it is very beneficial in the presence of a small budget and the need for only one demonstration.
Interior layouts
Designed to visualize composition and interior design. Interior layouts are scaled from 1:10 to 1:50. Often the external walls and ceiling are not shown, as the main goal is to focus on the interior decoration and layout. Furniture items, machine tools and other interior filling are depicted extremely schematically, that is, without observing the exact form.
As a material, preference is given to foam, although prototyping from paper is acceptable. Exhibition projects are made from solid materials like plexiglass and plastic, and then painted. Immediately prior to the planning of equipment and other furniture items, preliminary preliminary sketch-graphic modeling is usually carried out.
Architectural Layouts
In construction, the exact match of the prototype and the final structure is paramount. Architectural prototyping allows distortion of proportions to some extent, but only within normalized limits. Basically, designers create such models according to pre-prepared sketches and sketch designs. The resulting models can be either collapsible or monolithic. The ability to remove the roof or several floors of the building allows you to better study the internal structure and layout.
In architecture, prototyping is primarily the creation of an exact or as close as possible to a real spatial-volume model of a building on a certain scale. In addition, this type refers to other related areas: investment, marketing and advertising. In such a layout, a whole group of structures or just a single fragment of a building like an apartment or a room can be demonstrated.
Layout layouts
Such mock-ups intersect closely with architectural ones, but they imply a copy of the whole site with areas or groups of structures located on it. The plans for cottage villages, urban development projects, and landscape panoramas fall into this category. The peculiarity of the manufacture of such models is considered to be the mandatory presence of several sub-models.
Demand for this type increases in preparation for construction or for solving certain business problems, for example, optimizing road traffic or laying new communications. The marketing sector also uses such layouts, but it does not require the designer to observe particular accuracy and proportions.
Special attention should be paid to the convenience of transportation, because large-sized projects of entire cities can occupy a significant space. In such cases, the working canvas is previously divided into several parts.
Technical and mechanical layouts
Basically, this type is represented by various modes of transport with functioning nodes: cars, yachts and ships, as well as aircraft. Technical prototyping is the creation of a fully functioning prototype with all mechanical and electrical elements. It is possible to encounter such work in domestic conditions. For example, a toy railway with a train traveling along it, in which lighting fully functions.
Nevertheless, the models of cars and other vehicles for children, although an example of technical prototyping, in no way reflect its technological processes and modeling methods when working on professional projects.
Mechanical layouts are often visual thumbnails that showcase various technological processes in real time. Large-sized projects, in turn, show the functional or motor capabilities of devices and mechanisms.
Clothing prototyping
Otherwise, this method of modeling is also called the method of tattoos. The planned project is carried out by the designer directly on the mannequin or person. The master forms a finished layout from the selected fabric using pins. In the future, the material is removed and placed on the table, and the designer proceeds to the next step - the adjustment of the created lines according to the patterns and the ruler.
Most often, this method is used in the manufacture of outerwear with a complex cut, different dresses, skirts and jackets. The designer, as a rule, has in his arsenal several tricks that give clothing volumetric shape. When prototyping, there is no need to design patterns on paper. Among other things, this option allows you to take into account the individual characteristics of the figure and perform better sewing.
Compositional prototyping
The main elements that are reproduced when building the composition should be considered the spatial and spatial structure of the object, its tectonics and layout, the proportions of the main parts and dominants, as well as the rhythmic and plastic layers.
The organization of a properly built composition is one of the main design tasks in the development of the layout. At the same time, attention should be paid not only to the main constituent elements. In particular, the compositional basis of prototyping can be called not only the layout itself, but also the sub-model, because its size will determine the strength of the composition’s impact on space in the same way that a real architectural object does this in life.
Among the other bases of the composition, the following are distinguished:
- compliance with the proportions of all elements and parts;
- creation of harmonic plastic transitions between surfaces;
- determination of exact spatial and dimensional characteristics;
- identification of the correct figurative-plastic nature, texture and colorography.
Main materials used
The capabilities of modern specialists are greatly expanded due to the active introduction of industrial and even household 3D printers. The list of various synthetic materials for three-dimensional printing is quite wide and is limited only by the goals and capabilities of a single device.
Of course, in some cases, traditional paper and cardboard are used. However, the most relevant materials are considered polystyrene and plastic. Prototypes of gift and art models, future architectural and industrial objects are often made of metal and wood. Other common materials for prototyping are clay, gypsum, plexiglass and plasticine.
Key layout features
The role of the design functions of the layouts is the establishment and implementation of the plan, the justification of design decisions, the transformation and refinement of the author’s vision. The prototype is brought into line with the chosen system of thinking and is adapted to ideal forms.
The research function of prototyping is a design search carried out by enumerating different directions to transform an object. Thus, a base appears for analysis, development of a modeling strategy and making adjustments.
In fact, prototyping is a means to carry out project activities and monitor their results. The corrective function allows you to set in this case the ability to implement plans and ideas, as well as combine various requirements. It indicates the need for changes and minimizes the number of likely errors.
Heuristic and Learning Functions
No less interesting is the heuristic function. It is based on the presence of feedback between what is clearly demonstrated and what the person feels at that moment. Experts believe that it is this function that encourages designers to invent, activates creativity in them and sets other ways to overcome difficulties in solving design problems.
The educational function works just as effectively, thanks to which the designer masters the technique of thinking and development in three-dimensional space, develops the imagination and the feeling of plastic, proportional-rhythmic and geometric harmonies.