Strum for Change: Guitars with a Message

Empathize

You will conduct interviews with musicians and community members to understand their perspectives on political messages in art and music, and research historical examples of politically influenced musical instruments, gathering insights to inform your design approach.

Days 1 - 4

Meet Local Music Voices

Launch 60m

Empathy Research Portfolio

Deliverable

Define

You will synthesize your research on political issues, guitar construction, and social themes into a clear problem statement that articulates how your guitar design will address and represent these critical topics.

Days 5 - 8

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Ideate

You will engage in brainstorming sessions, explore a variety of materials and tools, and collaborate with peers and community partners to generate innovative guitar designs that incorporate political artwork and align with your social messaging goals.

Days 9 - 13

Concept Sketches & Feasibility Pack

Deliverable

Prototype

You will construct prototype versions of your politically-themed guitars, incorporating feedback from luthiers and your peers to refine design, craftsmanship, and artwork effectiveness, while documenting the process in a zine for reflection and future improvement.

Days 14 - 19

User Testing Documentation

Deliverable

Test/Present

You will present your guitars at the 'Harmony in Activism Expo,' demonstrate their functionality in live performances, and engage with community feedback to validate your artistic and social messaging impact.

Days 20 - 25

Artistic Jam Kickoff

Launch 60m

Guitar Expo Showcase

Assessment

Empathize Days 1–4

Day 1

Meet Local Music Voices

Launch 60m

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Empathy Research Portfolio

Deliverable

Define Days 5–8

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Ideate Days 9–13

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Concept Sketches & Feasibility Pack

Deliverable

Prototype Days 14–19

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

User Testing Documentation

Deliverable

Test/Present Days 20–25

Day 20

Artistic Jam Kickoff

Launch 60m

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Guitar Expo Showcase

Assessment

August 2026

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

24 Day 1

Empathize

Meet Local Music Voices

25 Day 2

26 Day 3

27 Day 4

Empathy Research Portfolio

28 Day 5

Define

September 2026

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

31 Day 6

1 Day 7

2 Day 8

3 Day 9

Ideate

4 Day 10

7 Day 11

8 Day 12

9 Day 13

Concept Sketches & Feasibility Pack

10 Day 14

Prototype

11 Day 15

14 Day 16

15 Day 17

16 Day 18

17 Day 19

User Testing Documentation

18 Day 20

Test/Present

Artistic Jam Kickoff

21 Day 21

22 Day 22

23 Day 23

24 Day 24

25 Day 25

Guitar Expo Showcase

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August 2026

September 2026