SHARE: RECIPE #7 - Food For Good Club

PROTOTYPING

INGREDIENTS

Presentation (Slides 66- 81)
Process Sheet
Prototyping materials
Video platform link (if online)

Purpose/Goal

To introduce participants to prototyping, helping them shift from idea generation to hands-on creation.

Desired Outcomes

Participants develop a prototype of their solution, gaining new perspectives on their idea and potential improvements.

Serving size:

one group of 2 to 5 people

Preparation time:

10 minutes

Cooking time:

50+ min workshop & 30+min teamwork (optional)

INSTURCTIONS

STEP 1: INTRODUCTION TO PROTOTYPING (5 MIN)

Begin by explaining the concept of a prototype. A prototype is a quick, basic version of an idea, meant to showcase how it might work or look. Prototyping helps shift from thinking to creating, it’s a way to see the idea from different angles and refine details. Show photos or videos of prototypes for both products and services to inspire participants and provide visual examples.

STEP 2: BUILDING THE PROTOTYPE (30+ MIN)

Ask participants to start building a prototype of their project idea. If it’s a product, they should focus on creating detailed aspects of the item (e.g., buttons, switches, moving parts) that show its functionality. If it’s a service, they can create or draw the environment where the service would be delivered (a shop, a website layout, or customer interactions) and how the customer interacts with the service (Customer Journey).

Encourage participants to use recycled or simple materials creatively, letting them visualize and build different aspects of their idea. Remind them that they don’t have to make it perfect, just functional enough to convey the main ideas.

As facilitators, you can help participants structure their prototyping process by breaking it down into small, manageable steps rather than overwhelming them with too many tasks at once.

Instead of asking them to consider all aspects of their project simultaneously, introduce short, focused assignments throughout the prototyping session.

For example, after participants have spent time developing their core idea, add a five-minute task asking them to think about key partners: Who could support their project, collaborate with them, or provide necessary resources? By tackling this one element at a time, they will be able to develop a more structured and thoughtful prototype.

Once they have considered key partners, introduce another short assignment focused on resources. Encourage them to reflect on what they actually need to bring their project to life:

How many people will be involved? What equipment or materials will they require? What additional support might they need?

Next, guide them to think about the impact of their project:

How many people in the local community will benefit from this idea?
What specific change will it bring?
How will it improve the problem they identified?

Finally, introduce a task that encourages them to consider financial sustainability. How could they cover expenses? Could they develop a business model? What potential revenue streams exist? Is there a product, service, or funding opportunity that could support their initiative?

This layered approach to prototyping ensures that participants build their idea step by step, first focusing on the core concept and gradually expanding their thinking to include crucial aspects like resources, impact, and sustainability.

By the end of this process, they won’t just have an idea. They will have a well-rounded, realistic prototype ready to develop further in the next phase, where they dive deeper into business models and long-term viability.

STEP 3: PRESENTING THE PROTOTYPE (15 MIN)

After constructing their prototypes, each team explains in maximum 3 minutes the functionalities and benefits of their product or service. They should describe how the solution works, what features it has, and how it benefits potential users.

STEP 4: TEAMWORK (30 MIN)

You can set up an exhibition of prototypes around the room, giving participants 30 minutes to walk around, explore different projects, and engage with other teams. This is a great opportunity for them to ask questions, exchange ideas, and give feedback on each other’s prototypes. Creating this interactive space encourages collaboration, inspiration, and valuable discussions.

Tips & Tricks

Prototyping is a hands-on activity that tends to energize participants, making the room lively and loud.
Take the workshop outside or use recycled materials to make this activity eco-friendly and align with sustainable practices.
Remind participants that a prototype is a rough draft, so they should feel free to test ideas and make quick adjustments.