Prototype — Explained with Examples

Prototyping is the practice of building a working model of a product or feature to explore ideas, gather user feedback, and validate design decisions before investing in full development. Prototypes range from low-fidelity (paper sketches, clickable wireframes) to high-fidelity (near-production code).

Two main approaches exist: throwaway prototyping (build quickly, learn, then discard) and evolutionary prototyping (start simple, then iteratively refine into the final product). Prototypes differ from MVP in purpose — a prototype explores design questions (“does this layout work?”), while an MVP tests market questions (“will people pay for this?”). Prototypes differ from Proof of Concept in that PoCs test technical feasibility.

Real-world analogy. Before mass-producing a new chair, a furniture designer carves a single chair from foam and wood. She asks people to sit in it, watches how they adjust, and notes where they put their hands. The prototype reveals design flaws before expensive tooling and production begin.

Example (Prototype stages for a mobile app):

Paper sketch   → "Here's where the button goes"
Clickable mock → "Tap here to see the next screen"
Code prototype → "Login flow works with fake data"

Related terms: MVP, Proof of Concept, Spike, Agile, Lean

Related tutorial: Prototyping Methods