What is a key characteristic of prototypes in product design?

Prototypes are essential tools in product design, serving as preliminary models that allow designers to explore and demonstrate various functionalities of a product. A key characteristic of prototypes is that they are early representations, which can vary in fidelity from low to high. This flexibility enables designers to test concepts, iterate on ideas, and gather feedback without the extensive resources that would be required to create finished products.

By showcasing functionality, prototypes facilitate early user testing and help identify potential issues or enhancements in the design process. This approach aligns with the iterative nature of design, where continuous refinement leads to a more user-centered final product. Other attributes related to prototypes, such as fidelity or permanence, do not define their core purpose, which is primarily to enable exploration and testing of ideas in their infancy.