—Prototyping and Testing

—Team Workshop Project

The Workshop Foundation helps designers and students achieve a resolved three-dimensional solution by providing technical knowledge, making skills and a place to experiment.

Our understanding of materials and making enables us to provide guidance to test and prove your work, both aesthetically and structurally within our facilities.

Making a prototype or detail in three dimensions has the benefit of bringing your design to life for you and your clients.  Whether it’s a shop fitting, an architectural detail, a piece of furniture or something else completely, showing your clients a real object enhances their understanding of your concept, and will enthuse them about the finished project.

Prototyping your design or detail is also invaluable when it comes to conveying the process to contractors. You’ll be empowered with knowledge and a real understanding of production methods and cost implications.

Designers can book the workshop, including facilities, materials and expert guidance, by the day.

Contact us to discuss your prototyping project.

—Prototyping and Testing

A pair of worn beige high-top Converse sneakers displayed on a black metal shelf mounted on a white brick wall.
Metalwork project in progress with clamps holding curved metal pieces on a worktable.
Close-up of layered wooden circles, with a box showing similar layered wood pattern on top of a flat wooden surface

01 - TURNED CORNER DETAIL

02 - FURNITURE WELDING JIG

03 - EXTRUDED POST PROTOTYPE

04 - CORNER BAR DETAILS

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Close-up of a wooden surface with several metal pipe pieces, viewed from above.

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Close-up view of a construction model or display showing different types of materials and textures, including a blue foam block, a concrete slab, and stacked bricks, on a wooden surface.

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—Team Workshop Project

In addition to prototyping and making services for designers, The Workshop Foundation offers day sessions for creative teams to carry out a set project, providing prototyping skills as well as an opportunity to make and collaborate away from the screen. 

Our project days bring teams together with the shared goal of producing a three dimensional product, such as a stool or table lamp with set materials and a given brief. 

Through collective dialogue, sketching and making, each team tests and hones their ideas through a structured programme which results in creating a finished piece. Technical guidance and expert making skills are provided throughout the day.

For larger groups, we can arrange a ‘crit’ session for multiple teams to present and examine their work, which enables a creative exchange and an opportunity for participants to explain their work to each other.

Four people in a workshop. Two seated, one kneeling, one standing, working on a project. Workshop equipment and tools are visible around.
Two people working on drawing sketches at a table with papers, a smartphone, and writing utensils, including a black pen. One person is holding a pen, and the other is pointing or gesturing towards the papers.

01 - SKETCHING IDEAS

02 - LAMINATING AEROPLY

03 - BANDSAW CUTTING

04 - TEAM BUILDING

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Two men working in a woodworking workshop, surrounded by woodworking tools, clamps, and pieces of wood, with a large window showing outside trees.

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A woman operating a woodworking machine, possibly a planer or jointer, with a man standing behind her.
Three people working together in a workshop or lab, smiling and engaging with each other. They are surrounded by tools, electronic components, and papers on the table.

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A display shelf with various office and home decor items, including chairs, boxes, and lighting fixtures, against a white wall with a wooden floor.