Prototyping and Model making - Students of Product Design Episode 6

In Students of Product Design Episode 6, I give a series of prototype and model making tips and tricks, to help designers bring their ideas to life faster and more accurately. The episode looks at traditional methods and techniques. With advances in rapid prototyping, some designers can be tempted to create everything in CAD and then print parts out, but creating forms by hand first is such an important part of the design process and I think leads to better designs.

In this episode I cover working with blue foam, sanding techniques, loads of finishing techniques for wood, filling materials, spraying with car spray paints, creating textures, cheap ways to bend wood and plastic, jigs and a host of other techniques and tips. But it's not an exhaustive list. I realise I left a few things out, joining metal pieces together with car body filler when you don't have any welding equipment, or using old nail files to sand difficult to reach areas, there are loads more tips and tricks to include, so for much more advice the YouTube and the rest of the Internet is the best resource. I have also recommended a good book:

Prototyping and Model Making for Product Design, by Bjarki Hallgrimsson
At the time of release, this book is available on Amazon and other vendors.

I could go on and on as making design prototypes and models is one of my favourite subjects, but we have to move on, in the next episode of Students of Product Design, I'm covering giving design presentations to clients.

[IbrahimAltiay]

So many great tips in such a short video. Thank you

[TimBrennan]

I just looked up "gesso primer". I never heard of that before. Thanks!

[isenwu]

Thanks so much for sharing so many valuable tips!

[yhinnam]

I am on my fourth and last year of industrial design, and these prototyping tips are REALLY AWESOME!!! Words cannot express how grateful I am that you are uploading all your tips and tricks on YouTube. Thank you sir!

[Elena-gcmk]

I love all your tips of alternative products to help prototyping

[Ricardo-nshl]

I said it before and I say it again... you are

[Vemejag]

Holy F. I dont know how I have missed these series but i am blown away.. That you take ur time and make these vids man, big props to you! Thank you so much!

[ZZ-ibzb]

I have to say that your videos helping me to open the door of new world！

[tarbyonlineful]

Excellent series! Slowly I'm filling a lot of the gaps in my knowledge in areas that we simply haven't been taught as part of my design degree. This series (and some the books published by Lawrence King) have been essential in broadening my design education. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to create these videos!

[iagomaia]

OK??? It was brilliant!!!
Very helpful. Hello from Brazil!!!!

[punkisinthedetails]

Ross Tierney said below + Huge raising of bar on this one. Could have two possible trio of videos to cover all these ideas and methods. Would great if you expand on some. Particularly texture transition and contrast methods on prototypes of single moldings and overmold using cut up erasers. Keep up the incredible original work

[swipyduck]

You are awesome. I learn a lot of things into each of your videos! You do it on a professional way and u speak an easy-understandable english, so I get all of what you say, thank you !

[wattzefeuke]

This series is very interesting. I'm not even in the field and I just love it. Way to make it accessible to people of all backgrounds.

[nathanhales]

Excellent tips! Keep up the good quality!

[MrCKlang]

You are a big inspiration and all the cheap tricks and tips you show will be of great value to many of us. Keep it going sir!

[cristhangel]

You did it again @producttank!, another amazing video!

[patricklaqua]

Watched the entire video. Went to hit "like" 3 different times just to make sure. Nice job. A+, liked and subscribed.

[rosstierney]

Thank you for your videos. I think that in recent years I've become a lazy product designer and spoilt with resources but not pushing myself. You have invigorated my creativity. Keep them coming please.

[MrSchneider]

Just discovered your video and I am deeply impressed by your content. Great video! I am looking forward for future videos

[조은슬-qs]

It's a wonderful and amazing tip which is useful for me!!!!