Raw materials
It all begins with an idea.
When I buy things I always keep the packaging they come in. Cardboard, plastic etc. There are cupboards for them. These bits and pieces come to life again with each new design project. They can be used for prototyping. Particularly the early versions. Only nearing the end of a project will I begin 3d prototyping, when perfecting the design using 3d modelling comes into its own.
Recently, for example, I have been experimenting to make a dsiplay stand for a new invention (patent pending). I have been using the cardboard packaging that items sent to me through the post have come in. Once the basic dimensions and needs for the dispay stand were figured, the design was drawn up in Blender, then a box was laser cut (thanks to Curiosbot Lab, Valencia). Works perfectly!
It feels good to re-use items that might (or might not be re-cycled) because you add value to them. Why buy materials when you can use what you already have. Also, product development is a labour of love - I get no funding - you have to minimise costs. When you dream up a new way of doing something, it can take months and months and months to develop. And because the idea is possibly orignal and potentially patentable, you have to keep it to yourself. What a lonely slog that can be!
