Prototype or prototyping is the process of creating a preliminary version or sample of a product or design before it is produced or developed in its final form. Prototyping can involve creating a physical model or a digital mock-up of the product. This is used to test and refine the design, identify potential issues and gather feedback from users or stakeholders. Prototyping is an important part of the design process as it allows designers to quickly and experiment with different ideas and concepts at a low cost and to iterate the design based on user feedback. Prototyping can also help to identify technical challenges and feasibility issues, and to optimise the design for production.