Tempo
Adaptive Guitar
OVERVIEW
Tempo is a new type of guitar that meets players where they are so that they can experience the joy of making music from the start, while building skills step by step.
ROLE
Industrial Design - Concept ideation & refinement, formgiving, 3D CAD, photorealistic renders
RECOGNITION
2022 IDSA IDEA Finalist (Concepts & Speculative Designs)
THE CHALLENGE
90% of people who try to learn the guitar quit within the first year.
How might we help beginning guitarists experience the joy of playing from the start and fulfill different levels of recreational needs while also building their skillset?
MOODBOARD
EXPLORATIONS
Many beginning guitar players mentioned how they were quite self-conscious when just starting to play, so I aimed to design a guitar that feels like a real instrument in its own right and not a “toy” or pair of training wheels.
Ultimately, I decided to retain the same fingering as a traditional guitar instead of inventing a whole new method of interaction so that Tempo players could easily transition to playing a regular guitar if they wished. I also went with a minimal outer frame instead of a solid enclosed body to reduce weight and create a clear visual distinction from other guitars.
