Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Sep 12, 2006 04:47pm | #1

   Allen ,

            It sounds as though you truly want to please your clients and yourself as well . If you explain the prototype is merely to gain a look at the size and shape and overall design , but that the wood will in no way be as beautiful as the finished piece I think they would understand and appreciate your efforts.

      Hopefully you have charged enough to build a sample as part of the job .

             If for some reason there is a problem or design flaw you would be better off fixing / changing it before the real deal , don't you think ?

                    dusty

2. 
   DougF | Sep 12, 2006 05:12pm | #2

   I don't think I would unless they know enough to appreciate the purpose of the prototype compared to the finished piece.  I would build the prototype and if you see that significant changes should be made then I would use it to the show the clients why you are suggesting changes from the original design.  A rough prototype can diminish what they are envisioning as the finished piece.    

3. 
   a_Furnitologist | Sep 12, 2006 05:28pm | #3

   Hi Townsend:

        Do you have your deposit in hand????

        If you need a prototype as part of your build process.......you need to do it.  You're not selling the prototype you're selling yourself and the final product.

        Have the confidence to put on a show.  With protyope start the chatter.."Looks like we need a little change here, little change there" .....let me make my templates off "my prototype" and move to the final product.

        WOW em!!!!!

    

    

    

    

       

    

    

    

    

1. 
   townsend | Sep 12, 2006 07:08pm | #4

   Thanks for your thoughts.

   I have put this effort and materials in my price, and I have a 50% deposit, so those are covered.

   A large part of my thinking in designing this was to create a piece with a little uniqueness and challenge for me.  Hence the prototype.  It is also a design that I will refine and use agan for similar pieces.

   At this time, I will think about showing it and make my decision after I see what it looks like myself.  So far, I have two variations on the legs and want to see a third, so I will have different but similar legs on my prototype.  Rough could be interesting, or it could be pathetic.

   Thanks again,

   Allen

1. 
   citrouille | Sep 12, 2006 07:34pm | #5

   You don't really need a prototype, a model (1/4 scale ?) would serve both your purposes, you can see the final look and you would have a clear idea of the joinery involved.
   If you need to make a full scale model of one particular joint, you can go ahead and do it once, not 4 times (legs ?).
   That is how I always do it.C.

4. 
   Pondfish | Sep 12, 2006 07:45pm | #6

   I did a prototype once for a kitchen cabinet job.  The client thought she wanted as big of a base cabinet as she could cram into her kitchen--42" deep!  I made a mockup of what she wanted in heavy cardboard (from the local appliance store's recycling pile) and put it into her kitchen.  She finally understood what she couldn't get from 3D CAD drawings.  The prototype in this case was essential to moving her to a successful design.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
5. 
   cscwem | Sep 12, 2006 10:06pm | #7

   to me there are two issues here.

   one is the perception of the prototype and how they interperit that as it relates to the condition of the finished product.  i think that if you explain the purpose of the prototype most people readily grasp that it is a basic form of what the project will be, and not indicative of the fit and finish of the completed project.

   more importantly to me is the client viewing the prototype as an additional opportunity to make revisions to an already agreed upon design.  by showing them the prototype there is a distinct chance that you will be making modifications that could require changing tooling or jigs or the construction of an additional prototype. 

   I think that showing the client the prototype is a valuable tool for them and most would appreciate the opportunity to see a massing of the designed piece in it's intended location.  You should make them aware that you are showing the prototype of the "agreed up on design" as a courtesy to them, and that you have set up tooling and jigs to make the actual peice based off that design.  THey need to be aware that any design changes that cause you to make modifications to your tooling and jigs or that would require you to make a second prototype will have cost implications (maybe billed at an hourly rate to cover your time and the actual cost of any tooling modifications required)