What is the primary purpose of a prototype?

The primary purpose of a prototype is to build an early version for testing and evaluation. Prototypes allow designers and stakeholders to explore ideas and concepts in a tangible form, providing a valuable opportunity to identify potential issues and gather feedback. This iterative process is essential in user experience design since it ensures that the final product is aligned with user needs and expectations. By testing prototypes, designers can gain insights into how users interact with the design, which can lead to informed adjustments before finalizing the product.

Creating the final version of a product is not the purpose of a prototype, as prototypes are inherently meant to be works in progress rather than final releases. Similarly, while financial backing might be necessary for a project, that is not the primary function of a prototype. Prototypes are also not intended for conducting user training sessions; instead, they focus on gathering insights during the design phase.