You are iterating on your prototypes by looking for ways to improve the form and the functionof you innovation
You are iterating to improve how your project looks (the form) and works (the function) ahead of the final presentation
Iterations of Dyson vacuum prototypes - from earliest to latest (left to right)
Iterations of chair prototypes - from earliest to latest (left to right)
As we iterate on our designs, our prototypes should improve in quality and in their ability to more accurately represent and demonstrate our project's concept.
Professional designers make MANY iterations of their prototypes.
Prototype One
Prototype Two
Prototype Three
Prototype One
Prototype Two
Prototype Twelve
Here you can see the designer iterated many times using cardboard in order to figure out how to make a human-scale foldable building (seen in the last image on the right). With each iteration, the designer looked for ways to improve the form and function of their design.
ITERATION: Form + Function
Each time a designer makes an interation of their prototype, they're looking to improve its form, function, or both!
FORM: HOW IT LOOKS
FUNCTION: HOW IT WORKS
How could you improve the visual aspects of a hot-glued cardboard early prototype?
How could you improve the functionality of your device?
Discuss as a class!
Discuss as a class!
Be Precise- how you cut, clean (hot glue strings), and decorate your project can go a long way towards visual improvement!
Precise Cuts
Clean Project
ITERATION: FORM Improving how the prototype looks
Digital fabrication is an option for more precise creation of parts, which improves the look of your project
Laser Cutting
3D Printing
ITERATION: FORM
Laser Cutting
Student Work
The "Klutz" Robot
Lottery Pig
Rivalship
NuVu Tool(box)
Slip-Cast Ceramic
Zoom Widgets
Open-Source VR Headset
Polar Bear Cake
3D Printing
Student Work
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Can create more complex parts
Low cost & less waste
Huge support community
Generally slower than laser cutting
Post processing may be required
More experience needed to 3D model parts
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
Extremely fast & precise
Can quickly etch details
Material range
Requires active ventilation
Higher cost
Less community support
VS
Using new mechanisms can better demonstrate and test the movement and function of a project.
ITERATION: FUNCTION Improving how the prototype works
Adding electronics can make your project interactive thus showing how it would work in real life
ITERATION: FUNCTION Improving how the prototype works
You will find a presentation on each digital technique in this activity folder. Go over them to understand each technique. Then save your work on a usb so you can start laser cutting/ 3d printing your work (svg for laser and STL for 3D printing)
