The main purpose of creating a prototype is to enable experimentation and iteration through the design thinking/development process to evaluate design/functionality aspects and/or gather user feedback:
- Provide a concrete representation of an idea or design, making it easier to evaluate and discuss
- Test functionality: A prototype can help identify potential issues or areas for improvement in a product early on
- Obtain user feedback: Prototyping enables designers to involve users and stakeholders in the development process, gathering valuable insights that inform product refinement.
- Reduce the risk of investing in a design concept that may not succeed.
- Gather early user feedback to address problems or make desired alterations before committing significant resources to full-scale production.