Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed to at least specify, document and prototype a device, such as a gauge, having specific user interface elements to meet individual customer/market needs. The method includes displaying, with a graphical user interface, an image of a customer-selected gauge type; enabling the customer to specify, with the graphical user interface, individual ones of a plurality of gauge parameters in a self-documenting fashion; in response to a selection of at least one type of gauge parameter, updating the displayed image to correspond to the selected gauge parameter; and developing at least one prototype gauge for the customer based on the selected gauge parameters and the self-documentation. In the preferred embodiment the method also includes manufacturing gauges based on the selected gauge parameters and the self-documentation.