If your product idea is complex and way beyond your level of
experience, you may have some difficulty creating a prototype--you
may even need to hire someone to make it for you. But more often
than not, you can make your own prototype if you're willing to
roll up your sleeves and learn what is needed. Compiling the
research to understand what goes into making and designing your
product will help immensely when you start selling it.
Begin by writing down all the materials, supplies and tools you
may need. Next, try to identify the various steps required to
assemble your prototype. Creating a prototype is like building a
model airplane: You don't make the body and then install the
engine. Think about how each part works with the others and how
each phase fits into the next. This exercise will be invaluable
when you have your product manufactured.
Now identify those parts or materials you may already have
around the house or can purchase easily. I've cut off the
bottoms of prescription bottles and used the sides for tubing.
I've removed spirals from notebooks because I needed a wire
coil. If you're having trouble coming up with certain parts,
think about what items can substitute for the missing parts. I had
an idea for a pool gadget that required a waterproof motor. I found
my answer when I went to a pool supply store: a battery-operated
pool toy that had a motor inside.
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If you can't find the part at home, the next step is to buy
it. Some places worth exploring are hardware, grocery, fabric,
craft, computer, building material, beauty supply, kitchen supply,
and toy stores.
When building a prototype, don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Keep in mind, right now you're just trying to get a working
model of your idea, not the final production model. For now, make
it easy on yourself and substitute.
In most cases, use standard parts. They're always easier to
find than custom parts and will be easier to purchase in bulk when
the product is manufactured. It's also easier to adapt parts
for your prototype from existing products (such as radios, bicycles
and so on) when you use standard items. Keep in mind, however, that
if you can easily get standard parts, so can your competition.
Using a few custom parts creates a barrier to entry for your
competition.
Take your time when making a prototype; it will be more
effective if you're patient and think through each step.
Several good things can result from proceeding slowly and
carefully. First, you may discover a change that could make your
idea work better. Second, you may realize there are parts that you
forgot to get or didn't even know you needed. And third, your
frustration level will be reduced while you go through the process
slowly because you will know that you thought each step out
carefully and did not miss something by rushing.
Remember, the goal of a prototype is to prove your idea works.
There will be lots of experimenting and tinkering. Don't become
concerned over the material costs at this time. Right now, you are
creating the most expensive version of your idea. Costs will get
lower as you finalize your idea to its most efficient form and can
reduce labor and buy materials in bulk at wholesales prices.
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