newspaper-wood guitar
Initial Research
Problem
Wood for electric guitars is often harvested from virgin forests in poor countries with minimal environmental and labor laws. It is then shipped to East Asia for assembly, then sometimes shipped again somewhere else to be finished, and finally shipped to the store/musician. It's hugely wasteful and detrimental to the planet
brief
In an age where we are all much more environmentally knowledgeable and conscious, it’s important that we find alternative uses for discarded or unused materials. There is an opportunity to use local recycled materials in the construction of electric guitar bodies in order to reduce the impact on the earth’s forests and keep trash out of landfills.
Does material affect sound?
Short Answer: Not significantly
The sound of an electric guitar is almost entirely dependent on the pickups, bridge, nut, and the electronics of the guitar. Electric guitars made of acrylic, carbon fiber, metal, etc. often sound the same as their wooden counterparts.
Target Market
Who?
The younger generation of guitar players (20-40 years old) that are environmentally conscious and are willing to break convention.
Millennials (23-38) are the most environmentally conscious and are twice as likely to change their habits to reduce the impact on the environment than older generations.
Sustainable product sales have grown 20% since 2014 and it is projected that sustainable goods will make up 25% of the market by 2021.
Millennials are willing to pay more for products that are environmentally friendly (90% vs. 61%) and have social responsibility claims (80% vs. 48%) than older generations.
Market Research
Material Research
SUMMARY
Create a budget friendly electric guitar brand that is environmentally conscious. Use local recycled newspaper in the construction of electric guitar bodies in order to reduce the impact on the earth’s forests and natural resources and keep trash out of landfills.
Ideation
cad model
process photos
