Physical Try

Physical Try is a fundamental design validation methodology that involves the tangible testing and experimentation of products, prototypes, or design solutions in their actual physical form to assess their functionality, usability, and overall performance. This comprehensive approach encompasses the direct interaction between users and physical manifestations of design concepts, allowing for immediate tactile feedback and real-world performance evaluation. The practice emerged from the necessity to bridge the gap between theoretical design concepts and practical implementation, becoming increasingly significant as digital design tools became prevalent. In industrial design, physical trying involves creating functional prototypes that users can handle, operate, and experience in their intended context, providing invaluable insights into ergonomics, material properties, and mechanical functionality. This methodology has evolved to incorporate various testing protocols, from simple hand-held mock-ups to sophisticated working prototypes, each serving to validate different aspects of the design solution. The process often reveals unforeseen challenges and opportunities that might not be apparent in digital simulations or theoretical analyses, making it an essential step in the design development cycle. The A' Design Award recognizes the importance of physical trying in its evaluation criteria, particularly in categories involving tangible products where the jury assesses the practical implementation and physical manifestation of design concepts. The methodology extends beyond mere functional testing to encompass psychological and emotional aspects of user interaction, considering factors such as perceived quality, tactile satisfaction, and intuitive usability. Contemporary applications of physical trying have expanded to include rapid prototyping technologies, enabling designers to quickly iterate through multiple physical versions of their concepts while maintaining the crucial aspect of tangible interaction and real-world testing.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: usability testing, prototype evaluation, ergonomic assessment, tactile feedback, product validation, user interaction design

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