Mockup is a full-size model or replica of a design concept, created to demonstrate and evaluate the appearance, functionality, and overall design characteristics of a product, space, or visual communication piece before final production. This essential tool in the design process serves as a three-dimensional representation that allows designers, clients, and stakeholders to examine physical attributes, proportions, materials, and usability aspects in a tangible form. Originating from industrial design practices in the early 20th century, mockups have evolved to become fundamental across various design disciplines, including product design, architectural design, packaging design, and digital interface design. In contemporary design practice, mockups can range from simple paper constructions to sophisticated prototypes made with advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, serving multiple purposes such as design validation, user testing, and marketing presentations. The creation of mockups follows a methodical approach, typically beginning with preliminary sketches and digital renderings before progressing to physical or digital three-dimensional representations. These representations enable designers to identify potential issues, refine ergonomic considerations, and make necessary adjustments before committing to final production, thereby reducing costs and minimizing risks associated with design flaws. In professional design competitions, such as the A' Design Award, mockups play a crucial role in presenting design concepts effectively, allowing jurors to evaluate the practical and aesthetic merits of submissions. The development of digital technologies has expanded the scope of mockup creation, introducing virtual and augmented reality applications that complement traditional physical models, though the tactile nature of physical mockups remains invaluable for certain aspects of design evaluation.
Scale model, prototype development, design visualization, presentation model
Mockup is a full-size, physical or digital representation of a design concept, product, or system created to demonstrate, evaluate, and validate various aspects of its design before final production or implementation. This essential tool in the product development process serves as a crucial bridge between conceptual designs and final products, enabling designers, stakeholders, and potential users to interact with and assess the proposed solution in a tangible way. Mockups can range from simple paper prototypes to highly detailed, functional models that closely resemble the intended final product in terms of size, appearance, and sometimes even basic functionality. In industrial design, mockups play a vital role in identifying potential design flaws, ergonomic issues, and manufacturing challenges early in the development cycle, significantly reducing costs associated with late-stage modifications. The evolution of mockup creation has been dramatically influenced by technological advancements, with traditional hand-crafted physical models now complemented by sophisticated digital representations and rapid prototyping techniques. These representations are particularly valuable for design competitions, such as the A' Design Award, where they help jury members and audiences better understand the intended final product. The practice of creating mockups encompasses various techniques, from traditional craftsmanship using materials like foam, wood, and clay, to modern methods involving 3D printing and virtual reality simulations. Designers often utilize mockups to test user interactions, validate aesthetic decisions, verify proportions, and communicate design intent to clients and manufacturing teams. The level of detail and functionality in a mockup typically corresponds to its intended purpose, ranging from quick, low-fidelity versions for early concept validation to highly refined presentations models for final approval stages.
visualization, prototyping, product development, design validation, scale model, physical prototype, user testing
CITATION : "Lucas Reed. 'Mockup.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=473220 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
A mockup is a representation of a product or project that is used to test design ideas and product features before its final release. It can take various forms, including interactive or static images, paper sketches, or physical objects. The term mockup has evolved over time, originally used in the 17th century to describe something made with great care to secure parts of a building or structure into place. Today, it is commonly used in art, engineering, architecture, and other fields to refer to the creation of a replica of an object or structure. Mockups are an essential tool for designers and developers to visualize and test their ideas before investing time and resources into the final product. They allow for experimentation with different design elements and user interfaces, and can help identify potential issues early on in the development process. Mockups can also be used to communicate design ideas to stakeholders and clients, providing a tangible representation of the final product. In addition to their practical uses, mockups can also be aesthetically pleasing and visually stimulating. They can evoke emotions and feelings in viewers, giving them a sense of what the final product may look and feel like. Mockups can be used to create excitement and anticipation around a product launch, and can be shared on social media or other platforms to generate buzz. Overall, mockups are a crucial tool for designers and developers in the product development process. They allow for experimentation, communication, and visualization of design ideas, and can help ensure the final product meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders and users.
prototype, design, visualization, experimentation, product development
Mockup is a three-dimensional representation of a concept or product used to visualize a product design before its production. It is typically used to demonstrate how a product would look like and the feelings it could potentially evoke. In other languages, mockups are sometimes referred to as prototypes, dummies, maquettes, models, and mock-ups. Additionally, they might be referred to as wireframes, simulations, patterns, layouts, designs, 3-D visuals, simulacrums, visuals, and figures. In Spanish, they are also referred to as análogos, simulacros, modelos virtuales, or presentaciones de trabajo; whereas in French, they are referred to as prototypes, maquettes, modèles, and figures. Furthermore, in German, the words for mockup include Prototypen, Layouts, Modelle, Gestaltungen, Visualisierungen, and Abbildungen; and in Italian, they are called prototipi, modelli, modelli 3D, disegni, simulazioni, bozze, impianti, schemi, modelli di layout, and figure.
prototype, dummy, maquette, model, mockup, wireframe, simulation, pattern, layout, design, 3-D visual, simulacrum, visual, analogo, simulacro, modelo virtual, presentacion, maquette, modèle, figura, prototipo, modello, 3D, disegno, simulazione, bozza, imp
Mockup is a noun which refers to a model or simulation of a product or user interface which is used to demonstrate or develop a prototype or design. Synonyms of the term include dummy, model, prototype, representation, sample, and simulacrum. Common antonyms are unknown, absent, unseen, and unfamiliar. Cognates of the term Mockup include mockup in Italian, maquette in French, maqueta in Spanish, and макет in Russian. Variants of Mockup may include Mock-up, Mock up, and Mock-Up.
Etymology Morphology English Language Semantics Synonymy Antonymy Cognates Lexicography Variation.
The word ‘mockup’ was first used in the early 17th century to describe something made with great care in order to firmly secure or ‘lock up’ parts of a building or structure into place. This was especially useful when putting together a long-term construction or something that would be permanent. It was also used when creating sculptural, architectural and art pieces that required individual components but also a strong frame to hold it all together, such as a bridge or a church. Since then, the word ‘mockup’ has evolved to include the idea of creating a replica of an object, although the term is commonly used to refer to creations that are meant to be temporary. In terms of morphological and etymological standpoint, the word can be seen as a combination of two separate words: ‘mock’ and ‘up’. The former has been used since the early 17th century to mean ‘imitate’ or ‘copy’ while the latter has been used since the same century to express the idea of being ‘in or upward’, thus forming a phrase that captures the idea of ‘making something that resembles something else’. In terms of semantics, the term ‘mockup’ has a wide range of contexts that it is used in, ranging from art, engineering, architecture and many others. From a Pragmatic standpoint, the word is usually used as a noun, with little to no verb usage, and is seen as a short-hand for the idea of creating a representation of an object or structure.
Etymology, Morphology, Mockup, Evolution, Pragmatics
Mockup is a general term used to describe a prototype of a product or project. It is used by designers and developers to test design ideas, product features, and potential uses for a product or project before its final release. A mockup typically includes the visual elements and user interface of the product or project, and is typically created using software. Mockups may be interactive or static images, paper sketches, or physical objects.
3D mockup, design prototyping, interactive prototype.
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Mockup has 7 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Mockup today.