The Prototyping Program is designed to help entrepreneurs manage the confusing, technically challenging and expensive process required to develop a prototype for their product or service business. The program aims to help entrepreneurs that have successfully completed Brock LINC’s NAVIGATE program to take the next step with their business idea.
This program focuses on the fundamentals of product development to develop low, medium and high fidelity prototypes that entrepreneurs can introduce into the marketplace or present to potential investors for further funding. Participants can expect to get feedback from customers during this process and understand how to engage designers and other vendors as a business owner.
Professional support will be provided to entrepreneurs to create these prototypes. Professional support may include: Industrial Designers, Engineers, UI/UX Designers, Graphic Designers and other professionals depending on the needs of the entrepreneurs.
The program is open to entrepreneurs who are developing physical products, digital products, or service based businesses. Expected outcomes from the program include:
- For physical prototypes: a physical prototype plus technical or design drawings that can be sent to manufacturers for quotes
- For digital prototypes: an interactive prototype of app or website, ready for technical build
- For service based businesses: a service roadmap and interactive prototype of website, ready for technical build
The program closes with a brand sprint to develop brand prototypes, and includes brand guidelines, brand assets, brand templates, and product/service landing page for each business.
Program Overview
The program will be delivered over a 17-week period with weekly in-person sessions taking place at the Brock LINC at Brock University. The program is divided into 4 phases: Conceptual Prototype, Visual Prototype, Interactive Prototype and Brand Prototype. Each phase will be 4-5 weeks in length with each phase bringing an entrepreneur further along with developing their prototype.
| Week | Module | Focus | Output |
| 1 | Introduction to Product Design | Program Kickoff, Introduction to Product Development, Presentations from Entrepreneurs | Customer Outreach, 4-5 Interview Participants |
| 2 | Product Development | Introduction to Drawing and Prototyping, Drawing for Prototyping | Prototype Drawing |
| 3 | Product Development | Drawing Revisions, Prototype Interviews, Look and Feel, Customer Interviews | 30% Concept Prototype |
| 4 | Customer Interviews | 30% Prototype Interviews, Prototype Insights | Creative Brief, Product Canvas |
| Week | Module | Focus | Output |
| 5 | Vendor Kickoff | Vendor Pairing, Vendor Kickoff, Creative Brief | Meeting with vendor |
| 6 | Product Development | Vendor Revisions, Interview Planning, Interview Development | 40% Prototype Visualizations |
| 7 | Customer Interview | 50% Prototype Interview, Prototype Insights | Vendor Revisions, Vendor Deliverables |
| 8 | Product Development | Vendor Revisions, Material specification | 60% Prototype Visualizations |
| Week | Module | Focus | Outputs |
| 9 | Production Strategy | Production Strategy, Manufacturing Research | Outputs may include: 3D Printing, Interactive Wireframes, Physical Prototype |
| 10 | Product Development | Tech Drawing Finalization, Vendor Management, Final Asset | Outputs may include: 3D Printing, Interactive Wireframes, Physical Prototype |
| 11 | Product Development | Tech Drawing Finalization, Vendor Management, Final Asset | Outputs may include: 3D Printing, Interactive Wireframes, Physical Prototype |
| 12 | Prototype Photography | Photography, Presenting Prototypes, Lessons Learned | Outputs may include: Design Intent, Tech Pack, Physical Prototype, Photography, |
| Week | Module | Focus | Outputs |
| 13 | Introduction to Brand Identity | Strategy vs. Identity, Look and Feel, Competitive Landscape, Tone | Creative Brief, Competitive Landscape |
| 14 | Vendor Kickoff | Vendor Kickoff, Brand Guidelines, Landing Page UX Wireframe | |
| 15 | Revisions A | Brand Guidelines - 60% complete, Landing UX Mockup | Revision to Vendor |
| 16 | Revisions B | Brand Guidelines - 90% complete, Brand Prototype Revisions | Revisions from Vendor |
| 17 | Final Session | Program Wrap up Landing Page Launch | Brand Guidelines Brand Assets Brand Templates Product Landing Page |
Additional Information
The program will be delivered over a 17-week period with weekly in-person sessions taking place the Brock LINC.
Applications are now OPEN to apply to be part of the Prototyping Program.
Deadline to apply is Friday March 1, 2024.
Please contact Cassie Conte, Program Manager, Brock LINC at cconte@brocku.ca if you have any questions about the program.
The Prototyping Program is open to current Brock University students (both undergraduate and graduate students), Brock faculty, staff, alumni and community members in the Niagara region that have completed Brock LINC’s NAVIGATE program.
Individuals or teams can apply to be part of the program.
Other eligibility criteria includes:
- You are able to attend weekly in-person sessions
- You have a business that you want to build a prototype for
- You are working towards developing a minimum viable product of your product/service
- You are open to receiving feedback and mentorship with your business
The Prototyping Program provides great value to entrepreneurs that are part of the program. Funding for this program is supported by the John Dobson Foundation for Brock students, faculty and staff.
Due to the resources required in this program and limited cohort size, student, faculty and staff participants will be required to provide a $500 deposit at the start of the program. If you complete the program, your deposit will be returned to you. If you do not complete the program, you will not get your deposit back.
For community members that participate in the program, a fee of $500 will be charged for participation in the program.
Fees will be only collected, once the program timeline has been confirmed and you will be notified if you have been accepted into the program. Once you are accepted into the program, the fee will be due to confirm your participation.