5 reasons why you should prototype your ideas

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How do you bring an idea to life? More often than not, a lot of background work and preparation goes into making a great idea a reality; one such process is prototyping.

Let's start simple ' What is prototyping? 

The word 'Prototype' comes from the Greek word ' 'Prototypos'. Let's break that down: 

'Proto' means 'First.'

'Typos' means 'pattern or impression.'

A prototype can be thought of then as a 'first cut' of an idea. Something practical rather than the polished end product because great things take time and refinement. The same principles apply to excellent UX design. People in this industry are driven by the desire to create user experiences that are both functional and visually appealing. They want to make a lasting impression that keeps bringing users back for more while continuing to delight them. The ultimate goal for a UX consultant is high user satisfaction. 

We all want to get things right the first time. But to hit that goal of high user satisfaction, we need to follow a process, which is where prototyping comes in. Prototyping allows us to refine our ideas and validate them with real users. Prototyping can also be flexible to suit your project; you can choose a type of prototyping to suit your needs, such as High-Fidelity Prototypes or Low-Fidelity Prototypes. So you can shape how you prototype to fit in nicely with your overall project plan. 

Still not convinced? 

Here are 5 reasons why you should prototype your ideas

You can get feedback from real people. 

User experience. The clue is in the name; good UX design must put users at the centre, which is why getting feedback from real people is so important. Build a prototype and let people use it. There is no need for guesswork or lengthy internal discussions on how people 'might' react or what they 'might' do. Nowadays, people expect good user experiences, so put users at the centre of your decision-making, let them use it and then see the reaction for yourself. That is true user-centred design, and you can't argue with that! 

React quickly and test often. 

Prototypes give you the freedom to test as often as you need to. This is valuable because you can quickly address feedback and ensure your design is on track. Building the capacity to test your prototype as and when required will also help you clearly communicate your ideas to stakeholders. Not only this, but with prototype testing, you will have a concrete way to show how your design will work in practice, which can be very helpful in getting buy-in from decision-makers. 

Find and fix problems early. 

Have you ever built flat-pack furniture? Many of us will have experiences of getting a flat pack and being ready to attack it armed with only our willpower and a 'fun-sized' screwdriver we got from a Christmas cracker. We struggle through, the end is in sight, and the tension is beginning to dissipate as we admire our creation, only to discover that there is a screw left over. We try (and fail) to convince ourselves that there was supposed to be a spare. But soon, it's time to face the reality that something went a little wrong somewhere along the way. 

Testing in the early stages of executing our UX vision will give you time to uncover any problems that might see your creation 'fall down', so it's better to spot these problems early and fix them as you go. This will make your idea as 'lean' as possible from the get-go when you have the time and the resources to address the mistake properly. Much like a flat pack bed, we don't want to find out where that screw should have gone when our bed collapses at 3 am. 

Save money, time and effort.

Making mistakes is annoying. Yes, we can learn from our mistakes, and yes, there are often times when we may even feel glad we made certain mistakes upon reflection. Mistakes, however valuable from a learning or development perspective, can be costly. 

The good news is that prototyping your UX designs is a benefit that can pay out twice and save you money, time and effort. For a start, spotting mistakes early will reduce any time or money needed to address these further down the line. Secondly, addressing feedback received throughout the building process will eliminate the need for building a like-for-like replica of the finished article to test before launch. It's really a no-brainer! 

Get more right the first time around.

Following steps 1-4 will minimise the things you need to leave to chance. You'll be removing the guesswork and leaving yourself with plenty of time to test and fix problems. Following this method may mean you have a slightly longer journey, but you will get more right the first time. As UX designers, we often know that work doesn't stop, even after you've launched! Designing the best possible user experience usually requires rounds and rounds of tweaks and fine-tuning, and prototyping is the best way to set yourself up to make those improvements later on. Get 'more' rather than 'everything' right at these crucial first stages because 'everything' can come later. 

How to get started with Prototyping. 

Now that you understand why you should prototype your UX designs, you're probably wondering how to get started. The great news is that there is a vast range of tools you can choose from to suit your needs. 

Find out more about prototyping here.

Accurate, versatile and effective spring design is vital for all industries and sectors. To ensure the best possible outcomes, it's essential to choose experienced spring manufacturers to design, refine and create reliable components through effective prototyping.

The company is the world’s best prototype volute springs supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

This preliminary stage is vital as it allows for testing and validation of the design's functionality and performance before mass production, which generates confidence in the results and ensures efficient use of time and money.

Read on to explore the importance of prototyping for spring design and the benefits of our complete service for superior quality spring design, assembly, and finishing results.

Why Is Prototyping Important?

Prototyping accurately represents the final product and enables our clients to visualise how the final product will look before committing to production.

This step reveals any successful elements but, more importantly, any failings that will compromise the spring design later on. Early detection of unforeseen design problems significantly saves resources for the manufacturer and expenses for the client and is a vital start to any efficient manufacturing process.

Using prototypes, designers will test their initial and refined designs, specifications, and materials and easily develop the perfect variation of the desired springs. For example:

• Spring materials and finishes used in the production must be tested to ensure their strength, durability, and ability to withstand various loads and conditions.
• The calculated spring rate is also analysed to determine whether it falls within the expected range based on the specific design requirements.

Other specifications, such as spring diameter, wire thickness, and the number of coils, will be tested during prototyping to ensure they meet the design specifications. By thoroughly testing these areas of the design during prototyping, we work closely with our clients to make data-driven decisions that optimise the design for maximum performance, safety and longevity.

Electronic Spring Prototypes

Whilst prototyping is vital for all spring applications, they are particularly important for electronic springs. Testing and ensuring exact specifications for springs in electronics are crucial as they must operate within the intended parameters of their applications and the increasingly confined spaces.

Electronic spring prototype testing similarly involves testing various designed specifications with some common testing, including compression and tension tests and stress analysis.

Spring Design Considerations For Great Results

When it comes to designing and testing an effective spring design, spring manufacturers analyse several specifications that are highly relevant and need to be carefully considered. These specifications ensure the spring performs optimally and meets the required standards.

We have already mentioned spring materials, finishes and spring rates; here are the other key specifications we monitor:

Wire diameter and coil size: When determining the appropriate wire diameter and coil size for the spring, consider load requirements, spring rate, and space limitations to achieve the desired spring characteristics.

The number of active coils: The number of active coils in spring is crucial in determining the spring's flexibility and deflection.

By selecting the optimal number of coils, we ensure that the spring performs as desired and prevents premature failure. It is essential to match the number of active coils with the specific requirements of your application to avoid under or over-loading the spring. We consider these factors when selecting the optimal number of active coils for your spring, and you'll receive a spring guaranteed to provide the desired performance.

Stress and fatigue: The stress and fatigue levels springs will encounter during operation are vital to analyse to ensure optimal performance.

The spring must withstand the expected load cycles without excessive stress or fatigue failure. When designing the spring, consider the maximum load capacity it will encounter and the frequency of use. Also, consider the environmental conditions where it will operate, which may influence its performance.

By analysing stress and fatigue levels and ensuring that the spring can withstand the expected load cycles, we design a spring that will operate efficiently and reliably for an extended lifecycle.

Spring End types: When selecting the end types for spring, it is crucial to determine the most suitable options based on factors such as attachment methods, space constraints, and overall functionality.

For example, it's important to consider whether closed or open ends, hooks, or loops would be the best fit for your specific application. Closed ends provide stability, while open ends offer flexibility. Hooks or loops allow for easy attachment to other components.

Additionally, our engineers will work with you to consider any space limitations that may impact the choice of end types. By carefully considering these factors, we decide on the appropriate end types for the spring, ensuring efficient functionality and compatibility with your intended application.

A Complete Service From Airedale Springs

By choosing Airedale Springs, you have access to a complete spring design service. We offer design, spring assembly, and finishing all under one roof in Keighley, West Yorkshire. This streamlines the prototype and development process, ensuring seamless communication with our clients.

When working with Airedale Springs, you can rest assured that your design concept is in good hands. With our engineering team, thorough testing and modifications take place until you approve a final prototype. Therefore, we guarantee you peace of mind that the final design will meet your application's requirements and perform as intended. Contact us to get started with our comprehensive services.

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