Inside BattleBots: Prototyping Tips from a Top Designer
1 minutes read
This article highlights the prototyping process used by Jesse Velez, a designer known for creating impressive sci-fi props and animatronics—particularly for BattleBots. Unlike many modern effects that rely on CGI, Velez demonstrates how real, physical prototypes are conceived and built, starting from initial sketches.
The process involves translating hand-drawn sketches into functional models. For example, Velez uses materials like foam, plastic, and metal to rapidly construct and test moving parts before finalizing the design. This iterative approach allows for hands-on troubleshooting and innovation, which is crucial for complex builds like animatronic props or combat robots.
Anyone interested in robotics, props, or hands-on design will value these insights. Velez’s methods show how prototyping bridges the gap between creative ideas and working creations, emphasizing the importance of physical experimentation over digital simulation for certain projects.
We publish practical informational articles based on publicly available sources, summarizing key ideas, explanations, and useful context to help readers quickly understand a topic. Each article is reviewed prior to publication to improve clarity, accuracy, and usefulness.