What is a prototype's main purpose in the design process?

A prototype's main purpose in the design process is to validate design concepts and gather user feedback. This phase is crucial for understanding how well a design meets the intended functionality and user needs before moving forward to final production. By creating a prototype, designers can test their ideas, identify any issues in usability or practicality, and make necessary adjustments based on real-world interactions and observations.

This iterative process allows teams to refine their product based on genuine insights, rather than assumptions. Gathering user feedback during this stage helps ensure that the final product aligns with the target audience’s expectations and requirements, ultimately contributing to a more successful market launch.

The other options focus on different stages or aspects of product development. Finalizing a product for market release, for instance, happens after thorough validation and reviews have taken place. Serving as a marketing advertisement is not the primary function of a prototype; rather, it's often meant for internal testing and feedback. Lastly, while a prototype can help identify areas to reduce production costs, this is not its main purpose—it is more about testing and validation of ideas.