Prototyping

A client might come to us with an existing item which they want to have replicated throughout a building, for example, or they may simply need to have the bathroom furniture which is already in place recoloured in order to comply with a revised colour scheme. In both cases our team of experts will carry the work out to the letter, providing the kind of bespoke and one-off solutions which are so hard to track down elsewhere.

For other clients, the process may be slightly more complex. This is usually when they need to have a brand new item created, or an existing item considerably upgraded, in which case we’ll often create a prototype before going on to full production.

The first stage of any prototype involves drawing up detailed 3D CAD designs. Our design team can do this from existing designs, or can work with a client to turn a rough sketch or vague idea into a fully realised plan.

The plan will then be used to create a one-off prototype of the proposed item. It is at this stage that the client can take a look at the item from all angles, see how it feels and how it would look in situ and suggest any changes that they want to see, all without the time and expense of a full production run.

Once the client is 100% happy with the prototype it can be used as the basis of a production run, with a block mould, for example, being used to produce between 20 and 100 pieces.

Our prototyping service is just one example of the lengths we go to in order to make sure that every client receives exactly the items they were looking for. Rather than showing them a selection in a warehouse, catalogue or website, we work alongside them to create a niche and unique item, and it’s that kind of offer which makes Oak Ceramics different from other suppliers.