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Designers and engineers often assert that 'Anything can be prototyped!' To some, this claim might seem absurd. Having immersed myself in design thinking over the years, I've come to see that prototyping is indeed possible in any context because it's fundamentally about fostering a learning mindset that is able to weather obstacles and failures. The challenge is not in the ability of prototyping but in cultivating the mindset that keeps at it.


Below, you'll find two sets of guidelines: the types of prototypes for creating and executing them. The possibilities are endless, but the key principle remains—prototypes are tools for learning quickly, simply, and cheaply. They allow us to cast questions into action and gather insights for future iterations. After several rounds of prototyping, typically around the 4th or 5th iteration, we start to uncover meaningful insights.



Ideation and iteration defines the process of prototyping
Ideation and iteration define the process of prototyping


This learning process is twofold: we learn from the prototype itself by uncovering new information or questioning our assumptions, and we learn about ourselves by noting how we respond to challenges, adapt to situations, engage frustrations, and how well we work with others or not. It is through this iterative process that the prototyping mindset begins to take shape.


Concrete Prototypes: I call them concrete because they involve the act of building something and visualizing it.

Examples

Models: Engineers, designers, and architects create models as prototypes to give concrete form to abstract ideas.

Dyson’s models of vacuum cleaners, building prototypes by architects.

Visuals: Engineers, designers, and artists make sketches as prototypes to render their abstract concepts or questions.

Blueprints for houses, sketches for products such as phones, cars, blenders.

Digital Prototypes: Digital designers create mock-ups or wireframes of apps, websites to test functionality and user experience before full development of their product.

Apps, website.

Experiential Prototype: I call them experiential because they involve creating experiments which may be behavirol, sensory, acting, etc.

Examples

Conversations: Having a chat or a conversation with an expert helps us gather information and knowledge. Conversations driven by curiosity could be highly motivational to prototype a question or an idea.

Conversing with an author to learn about writing and publishing, talking to a business owner to learn about running a business, hiring, working hours, etc.

Experience: prototyping experiences first-hand whether through role playing or shadowing someone in a job/role. Such prototypes help develop perspectives.

A business owner may play the role of customer, a writer may play the role of readers, etc.

Behaviors: Behavioral prototypes are great for changing habits or adding new routines. These increase self-awareness as one comes in closer touch with their reactions & responses to changes.

Add a new routine of say having a salad every day with dinner; changing the habit of interrupting others while they are speaking; exercising self-restraint to say spending habit, screen time, etc.

By embracing this iterative approach, we move beyond rigid planning and into a dynamic way of thinking—one that applies not only to innovation and problem-solving but also to personal and professional growth. Ultimately, developing a prototyping mindset means becoming comfortable with experimentation, uncertainty, and change. The question is not whether our first attempt will succeed, but what we will learn in the process—and how we will use that knowledge to move forward. If you're ready to apply this mindset to your career, goals, or personal growth, let's work together. Book a call with me to start your journey



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