A mockup is a non-functional model of an object or device used to convey the general idea of the actual product. It is commonly used in various industries, including automotive and aircraft manufacturing, as well as in education. Virtual or digital mockups created using specialized software are also becoming more popular.
Also known as a mock-up, a mockup is a model of an object or device created to follow a specific design. This type of asset can be built to a specific scale or built as a full-scale example of a newly developed product or device. Typically, a mockup is built to convey the general idea of the actual product and is not a working model. When the mockup is functional, it is usually referred to as a prototype.
The use of a mockup is common in many different business and educational contexts. One of the most common examples is the automotive industry. When designing new vehicle models, creating a physical object from a set of plans allows you to evaluate the design in ways that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. As a result, the design of the automobile can be refined, from making minor changes to the plans and physical mockup until the design is perfected. This approach to the manufacturing and manufacturing process helps eliminate wasting a great deal of time and money, as the risk of design errors during assembly is minimized.
Many other types of production environments also use a mockup as part of the creative process. Companies that manufacture aircraft will use prototypes that help identify design flaws and allow improvements to be added as part of a pilot trial. This fully functional model can undergo a series of tests to determine if the design meets safety and quality standards, as well as providing an indication of the level of performance the design is capable of delivering. As with the design and construction of automobiles, using a model saves a great deal of time and money, allowing the manufacturer to produce quality aircraft at a reasonable cost.
The mockup can also be useful in settings other than production. Education is a prime example. Templates or projects can be created that serve as visual or practical aids for instructors at nearly any level of an education system. Depending on the nature of the project, instructors may use the models to illustrate facts about math, history, the arts, or any branch of science. Using these types of visual aids can sometimes connect with students in ways that other methods are unable to accomplish.
In addition to physical designs, today’s technology also allows for the creation of what is known as a virtual or digital mockup. Created using specialized software, this type of design allows you to create three-dimensional images that are used to evaluate the potential of a new design or product. This approach helps make the fabricated model even more cost-effective, as the nature of the virtual model can often provide as much information as building a scale model. As a bonus, the virtual model can be easily edited, saving you time and money to make improvements or changes to the basic design.
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