DOI: 10.4018/IJACDT.2017010102 International Journal of Art, Culture and Design Technologies Volume 6 • Issue 1 • January-June 2017 Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Rapid Prototypes as Openers of an Innovation Block Erno Salmela, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland Ivary Vimm, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland Marika Hirvimäki, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland Pasi Juvonen, Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, Lappeenranta, Finland ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to find out what value rapid prototyping (RP) adds to innovation and creative activity, what challenges it entails, and what sort of innovation it is especially suited for. The research was implemented as a qualitative case study of ten cases. According to the study, RP is an important part of the innovation process regardless of its tinkering reputation. It opens up an innovation block, adds creativity, engages people, and helps to estimate the potential of idea´s originality and effectiveness. RP has a positive impact on people’s work enjoyment due to its playful and communal nature. And anyone can participate. Therefore, the creativity is a matter of everybody. The main limitation of the research was examining RP as a static event in one phase of the innovation process. As practical value, this article encourages organisations to increase RP in their innovation activities. KeywORDS Creativity, Fuzzy Front End Innovation, Innovation Block, Mock-Up Prototype, Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Value Innovation INTRODUCTION With the help of “traditional” prototypes, information is gained regarding the technical functionality of a product and its value to customers. However, these kinds of prototypes may take up a lot of time, as a result of which ideas can be concretised to customers and partners at too late stage. An idea may not work as well in the eyes of outsiders as the development group had thought. In this case, change work may be laborious and expensive (Rubin, 2013; Sims, 2011, Diegel et al., 2006). One solution for this are so called rapid prototypes (RP), which are also called paper and mock up prototypes. RPs can be made and modified quickly. Easily available, inexpensive material, such as paper and clips, are used in manufacturing them. The idea will be concretised in hours or even minutes. Instead of planning, making begins as quickly as possible. And if the idea does not work, a new prototype can be made fast (Carleton et al, 2013; Sims, 2011). The innovation process can be divided into three main stages: fuzzy front end innovation, the development, and commercialization (Koen et al., 2002). Where traditional prototypes are useful on the boundary between fuzzy front end innovation and the development phases, RPs are needed at fuzzy front end innovation phase, because this phase require considerable creativity and includes remarkable uncertainty (Furr and Dyer, 2014; Carleton et al, 2013; Chang et al., 2007). This innovation phase begins either with a new recognized problem, opportunity or idea (Koen et al., 2001) and ends in a decision to either launch or not to launch a development project (Kim and Wilemon, 2002). 19