Innovative people carry different kinds of useful ideas. Each idea is different. The best approach to prototyping depends on specific ideas. However, there are some basic principles in prototyping that can help. The first question to ask is why you need a prototype. When presenting your ideas to an investor it is not necessary to have a prototype. It is possible to convey the ideas to an interested party using graphic presentation. The idea should be presented using computer aided design. The images of the product should be laid out on presentation boards. It is always advisable to involve a product designer to complete the design work. This will help you to show how the product looks like and what it does. There are lots of product designers. You have to find out the right type of product designer for your specific requirement. This is in nutshell what prototype is. In fact prototype is an absolute need for proper understanding of your ideas by the investor. It is really not possible to instantly convey the ideas in paper. If you are deeply interested to meaningfully pursue the matter with a right kind of investor then prototype is an absolute necessity.
It is a fact that the investors are prepared to back an idea when the idea ensures immediate result or there is enough merit for investment. A suitably designed prototype can only yield the results. Once you understand what prototype is and what benefits it can bring in, you will not mind little money to spend for making a prototype. If your idea is really attractive at the first glimpse then the investors usually bear the cost for making prototype of your idea for real conceptualization of the idea.
Once you are sure about the success about your ideas, you will find lots of investors. In that case you will have lots of option to choose from. Most of them will be interested to have prototype presentation at their own cost. This will obviously make the situation favorable for you. As such, cost of making prototype can vary. There are multiple activities involved for making a true prototype of your idea. The idea, designing, layout of internal components, virtual making of model making, use of computer aided design, rapid prototyping are some of them. The cost of making a true prototype of your idea is totally dependent on the complexities of your idea. It is very important to know in detail, what way prototype helps your ideas to sell in the market. What is prototype is understandably a way to make your ideas sufficiently conveyable to investors.