Are you curious about crowdfunding, and want to learn how to build a prototype? Here are some tips to get you started with building the right prototype for your crowdfunding campaign.
Is building a prototype necessary?
Yes, if you want to create a crowdfunding campaign, you should create a prototype. For starters, the backers of the campaign want to know that this can be built, or better yet, they want to see an example of what you are creating. This exercise doesn’t only help convince the backers, but it also helps you with budgeting your project. If you are building a physical product, you can use your prototype to approach manufacturers and see what will be involved to build the real version of your product.
So now you know how essential this aspect of the crowdfunding campaign is, here are some helpful tips.
Start with the makeshift version
Your first version won’t be your best, but there’s a first for everything. This will be your makeshift version of your product. It may be the precursor for your prototype.
This makeshift version can be anything that you are able to find within your vicinity. It can even be as simple as a drawing. Again, this is not the final version, this is just a good exercise to get your idea on paper.
Digitalize your design
Now that you have some form of a first version, you can now try to build your design files. These design files will help you with approaching potential manufacturers. Here are some good programs that you can use to create these files:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Inkscape
- Gimp
You can build design files using the above programs. Depending on the type of product that you are building, you may need to use 3D printing, or even CNC routing in order to build the product. You may want to contact local shops with 3D printers to see what files you will need to provide in order for them to print/manufacture your product. If it is a software product, you can still design mockups/wireframes that depict how the program will operate. Here are some services that you can use if you do not have any 3D printing shops in your local area:
- I.Materialize – You can choose the types of materials you would like to use and much more.
- Shapeways – You can get a quote based on your design files for the printing.
- Sculpteo – A professional 3D printing service.
Building the prototype
So, you now have your makeshift version and digital version, it’s time to build the real prototype. This should be a bit of a more cleaned-up version of the product. If this is a physical product, this will be the product that you add to your promotional content such as videos, images, etc.
You now have your working prototype. This is just the beginning of your crowdfunding journey. There are many other aspects of the campaign that will have to tend to. Marketing is the next hurdle that you will likely have to cross. For more information on marketing for your crowdfunding campaign, check out Thrinacia’s blog. Join Thrinacia’s Facebook group and share your campaign with the community.