From the medical industry to consumer products, glass is a versatile material with both practical and aesthetic properties. Qualities like true transparency and heat resistance make it a popular choice for lighting casings, kitchenware, and optical devices.
However, glass can pose challenges for the prototyping process. Unlike paper, plastic, and wood, glass requires expert knowledge and specialized equipment to manipulate it into the correct shape. Even industrial applications like glass panels require a manufacturer to temper, cut, and polish a sheet of flat glass. Complex consumer products can be even more difficult and expensive to prototype.
Design studios don’t have the time or money to spend on outsourcing every single prototype to a manufacturer, but they need functional models for user testing and stakeholder approvals. Plastic offers a cheaper, more accessible option.