Week 17: Mark 1 Prototype

This past week I have been working on a new prototype for my concept, one which is made of wood, plastics and metal this time instead of cardboard. This was to get me thinking about the materials and components I will be using to create my final product as well as how I could flesh out my idea. The body itself was made from laser cut MDF and hand cut plywood: very common and simple types of wood that speak to a functional tool rather than a finely crafted instrument. In addition I have used some standardised components in the design to make it look and feel more like a complete product and help me to consider what components I will need for future iterations. I have also started to add some very basic iconography to the instrument as I want to explore the products potential to be a guide for how to adjust the setup of a guitar.

After receiving some feedback for my prototype I have a fairly clear definition for what I want my product to do. Firstly I want it to be a platform on which the user can practice adjusting the setup of a guitar without having to start on their own. Secondly I want it to be a physical instruction manual for adjusting action and intonation so that the user can constantly remind themselves of it whenever they need it. And finally, in tandem with the previous two statements, I hope that my product will be used as a tool to aid a customer in maintaining their own guitar. To explore the idea of making my product a guide and a tool further I aim to spend the next week exploring the iconography and design language I could use on my product to tailor it towards this purpose.