
In retail design, especially for product displays, prototyping isn’t just a step, it’s a smart investment. While tight deadlines might make it tempting to skip, it can be invaluable for avoiding costly delays and ensuring precision.
Take a shop display unit, for example. A prototype lets you test angles, durability, and positioning, fixing any minor issues before manufacturing begins. This way we can ensure that the client is satisfied that it will work perfectly for them, before going into full production.
Prototyping = better solutions, seamless execution, and superior results.
A useful example of prototyping is illustrated through the production of a sample display shelf for The Rug Company’s shop in Chelsea Harbour. There was a challenging time constraint on the project, however, it was important for a prototype of this untested design to be constructed. The finished shelves would be made of metal, but to save on time and cost it was decided to construct the prototype out of wood. Rug samples do not have a great deal of structural integrity and have the tendency to flop or fold when presented upright. The purpose of the prototype was to test the optimum angle to present the samples without them bending or falling off the shelf. Further considerations were; the necessity for a lip at the bottom of the shelf, the depth of the shelf and the angle at which the samples were presented horizontally. We were able to test the prototype thoroughly and give the manufacturers feedback before they began batch construction. The process greatly benefitted the completed design, which showcases the product well whilst providing enough support.

