14 Week Project
Original Design
Recycled Materials
100% Handmade
The first guitar bag that transforms into a studio stand.
The Brief
Through innovative and original design, solve a problem for a local musician who practices in his home studio and performs in small venues around Los Angeles.
Each Classmate Designed a Different Product
Four designers, each designed a completely different product for Jake on our own.
At the studio.
Jake Newton, 38
Producer/Musician
Lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Husband and dog lover.
Plays the guitar.
Has home studio.
Plays in event venues.
Singer of Sleeping Wolf Band.
At the venue.
On Spotify.
Jake's Problem.
Pain Points
The lack of space at Jake’s home the guitar stand makes the guitars bump into each other causing them to scratch.
His current guitar stand lacks attention to the aesthetics of his home studio style. This is an opportunity to introduce an aesthetically pleasing style that was needed.
Proposed Solution
Due to storage issues, the combining of a guitar stand with an oversized guitar case would eliminate storing 2 separate products.
Text conversation about one of Jake's guitars.
Scratches and damage can be observed while measuring Jake's guitar.
Research
Current guitar stand problems.
While walking around a local guitar shop that Jake goes to. I quickly realized the limited options to stand up a guitar. I also noticed that there was a significant tear and wear on the floor models. Cheap materials, lack of protection options made me understand that this was not Jake's fault. A guitar stand for Jake's needs had not been designed yet, and that was my job as a designer.
What Are Jake's Needs?
For Jake, it’s important to protect the body and neck of his guitar.
He needs the new redesign to give him access to quickly grab it from the neck for use.
Design Options For Jake
Jake would like a sleek design that allows protection of the body, with cushion the inside and a hard matte (anti-scratch material).
He needs a custom made product that allows the stand to “transform” into a bag TO the studio and TO the venue.
Designing The Details
Using magnet strips and a clipping system for a quick open and close experience at a studio or venue.
Once the bag is attached, Jake will zip up the bag to protect and carry his guitar with ease.
Let's Build It!
"I can't wait to see the cool guitar bag!"
-Jake Newton
3D Building & Tech Pack
Another challenge was to design it 1:1 scale to transfer the templates.
I overcame this challenge by making a few scale mock-ups first.
What's The Mood?
Masculine and playful
Materials & Textiles
Padded Foam
Acrylic
Leather
100% Handmade
I used recycled materials from the school's material donation bin.
Full Scale Prototype
Why the name ToTo?
To the studio. To the venue.
Handle for easy transportation.
Store extra picks & guitar strings.
The perfect balance between work and play.
Public Appearance
ToTo featured exclusively at the ArtCenter College of Design
student gallery.
2020 Pasadena, California
