What does prototyping involve in product design?

Prototyping in product design is a crucial step that focuses on the development of a preliminary model of a product. This model is not meant to be the final version, but rather a means to test the feasibility of design concepts, materials, and functionality. By creating a prototype, designers can assess how the product performs in a real-world context, identify any potential issues, and gather feedback from users or stakeholders. This iterative process allows for refinements to be made before moving on to the production phase, ensuring that the final product meets the intended design criteria and user needs.

The other options, while related to aspects of product development, do not directly address the essence of prototyping. For instance, creating a marketing plan and calculating potential profits are strategic business considerations that follow the design process. Writing a final report is typically a documentation step that occurs after prototyping, summarizing the results and decisions made during the design and development phases.