IGCSE Design & Technology

Portfolio (0445/2)
Guitar Organizer

Mohammad Bin Saeed

Candidate 0096
Center Number: PK 199
The Science School
Islamabad, Pakistan
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Design Brief and Summary

Problem Situation and Statement

My client, a friend of mine, is a musician. He plays in a band
where he plays the guitar. His playing room is rather small
and he has 3 stringed instruments. He wants to organize at
least his 2 main instruments in a manner in which they are
easily accessible and are protected from dust. He says the room
doesn’t have enough space and neither does he have that many
instruments for which he needs to buy a whole guitar rack. He
uses wall hangers but they are exposed to environmental
impacts and appear messy.
He wants an organizer that will allow him to safely place his
guitars and their accessories like picks, pedals, straps etc.
when he’s not using them, and there are some of his
instruments that he doesn’t use at all, thus he needs a unit that
will look aesthetically appealing.

Design Brief
I plan to make a wooden organizer that will be able to hold up
to 2 guitars and their accessories. This unit will be protective,
easy to access and space efficient. It can have a transparent
door (e.g. glass and acrylic), which will not only allow the user
to see his guitars but will also look aesthetically pleasing. It
should also be able to store guitar equipment like pedalboards,
straps, picks, etc. in a separate compartment from the guitar
itself for safekeeping.

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Task Analysis

GUITAR
ORGANIZER

WHY:
WHAT: My client does not
I’m making a have a clean and
guitar display organized
organizer which WHEN: environment to
will hold up to 2 The total time place his guitars
guitars to protect for the project when they are idol
them from dust, is about 5-6 and when he is not
abrasion with each months. playing them.
other, and impact

WHO:
It is for a friend of WHERE:
mine who is an It will be placed in the
amateur musician, room where he
but it can be used practices and plays his
by any guitar instruments.
enthusiast.

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Initial Project Requirements

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Gantt chart
(Project Management)

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Research Plan
INTRODUCTION: With the help of a research plan, I will be able to get a brief idea of what
steps I need to take while researching. This is to avoid wasting time on irrelevant research.

SOURCE PRIMARY/ ADVANTAGES LIMITATIONS AID IN

SECONDARY PROJECT
Client Profile Primary I will be introduced All of the client’s I will be able to
to the client’s demands may not create my designs
preferences and his be able to be tailored to the
budget. fulfilled due to the client’s needs.
limitations in our
school lab.
Mood Board Secondary I will gather The clustered It will help me to
different images pictures and images get a grasp of the
relevant to my can become different products
project for overwhelming and already available.
developing ideas. distracting, and not
all of the ideas can
be used.
Site Survey Primary I will get to know The ideas will have It will allow me to
how much space is to be managed decide the
available as well as accordingly due to dimensions and
some other the space structure of the
requirements. limitations by the project, along with
site. the material.
Product Secondary I will analyze All products had to I will get an idea
Analysis different existing be looked up online of the prices and
products for an idea due to no local main features of
of what to markets available existing products
implement in my caused by the so I can plan my
own product. COVID-19. Thus product in
the feel and accordance.
physical interaction
could not be
studied.
Questionnaire Primary The questionnaire It might not be It will help me
will help me see possible to gather the view of
popular opinions incorporated public a wider range of
about the product opinions due to the audience.
client’s very
specific
requirements
Client Primary It will help me get Some disagreement I will be able to
Discussion ideas directly from can waste a lot of optimize the
my client. time for the project. product to the
client’s needs.

SUMMARY: This research plan helped me get an idea of the appearance, cost, materials, and
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function of the product suited to my client’s needs.
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Client Profile

Mohsin Jalil

General
MY CLIENT, MOHSIN JALIL, IS A 19-YEAR-OLD
STUDENT. HE IS IN A SMALL BAND, PLAYING AS
A GUITARIST AND PRODUCING BEATS, BUT
THEY HAVEN’T YET PUBLISHED ANY MUSIC AS
OF YET.
Finance
BEING A STUDENT, HE WILL ONLY HAVE
HIS POCKETMONEY AND HIS SIDE-
PROJECTS TO AFFORD THE PRODUCT.

Occupation
MOHSIN IS YET A STUDENT, HE IS COMPLETING
HIS A2 THIS YEAR IN BUSINESS STUDIES.
Interests
MOHSIN IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT
MAKING MUSIC, ALTHOUGH HE IS YET ON
AN AMATEUR LEVEL. HE PLAYS
INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING GUITAR, BASS
GUITAR, AND PIANO, BUT HE ALSO MAKES
ELECTRONIC BEATS ON THE SIDE.

His requirements from the project

HE REQUIRES A CLEAN AND NEAT AREA TO
PRACTICE AND PLAY MUSIC, FOR THIS, A
STORAGE UNIT TO ORGANIZE HIS
INSTRUMENTS.

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Mood Board
INTRODUCTION: I will insert several images that will follow the theme of my product in
order to gather some ideas for finalizing and implementing these into my product.

SUMMARY: This mood board enabled me to not only check possible designs for the product,
but also helped me get a brief idea of the aesthetic I should go with, and has inspired several
new ideas.

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Product Analysis
INTRODUCTION: This analysis will provide me information about existing similar products
and their costs. I will be able to analyze the pros and cons of each product to see what to avoid
and what to include in my own designs.

Product 1:
 Material: Ash Wood
 Dimensions: 30" wide X 28" tall X 15" deep
 Cost: USD 80 (13,100 PKR)

Description: Fits nearly any guitar, bass, or banjo. Carefully

designed to fit deeper-bodied instruments, like acoustic guitars,
in any position without bumping into other instruments.
Pros: It can store up to 5 instruments at a time and takes up very
low space.
Cons: The side where the instrument is supposed to rest on can
damage the strings due to scraping. The frame appears to be
very weak and vulnerable to damage, thus it might not last too
long. Moreover, its cost is much above my client’s budget.

Product 2:

 Material: Stainless steel

 Dimensions: 21.5" wide X 28" tall X 15" deep
 Cost: EUR 37.5 (7265 PKR)

Description: Designed to store 5 guitars with heavy-duty

steel construction. Durable black powder-coated finish.
Convenient foldable design.
Pros: Strong frame with high storage capacity, space
conscious.
Cons: Very exposed, instruments will be exposed to
environmental influences. Design is simplistic but
unattractive. Cost is slightly above my client’s budget as
well.

SUMMARY: I now have an idea on how to manage costs in accordance with materials and
moreover I know now why my client will not go for existing products. My product will need
to be more unique and more well suited to client’s needs. PAGE 9
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Site Survey

There is no coverage for the

instruments, they just lie
around resting against walls
and other objects. They look
untidy and are vulnerable to
slipping off the walls against
which they lean.

The instruments are randomly lying around in

corners of his room. The equipment gets lost
as well, as seen in the photograph the capo
and pick are attached to the guitar and placed
in strings respectively. The walls also get
damaged with the instrument always
scratching it when it is grabbed or slides
across it. This leaning also messes with the
neck tension in guitars which can make the
action of the strings go higher above the
default, ruining the intonation. They look very
unorganized when placed like this as well.

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Designer Research

Lester William Polsfuss

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009), more commonly known as
Les Paul, was an American jazz and blues musician and an inventor as well. His
experiments with instruments allowed many innovations to be brought into the music
world. He was unhappy with the compromises experienced by electric acoustic guitars.
In an attempt to overcome the shortcomings, Les Paul had been actively experimenting
with guitar design from around 1939. In the 40s, his design called ‘the log’ had gained
substantial popularity, which was a prototype. After many rejections, in 1950, Gibs on
invited Les Paul as a consultant to tackle Fender’s newly launched solid body electric
guitars. In ’52, the iconic Gibson Les Paul was launched. This model saved the company
from plummeting stocks and losing profits into booming sales. The model is still one of
the most popular electric solid body guitar shapes along with the Stratocaster from
Fender. Finished in metallic gold, equipped with dual P90 pickups and a trapeze
tailpiece similar to those found on the company’s archtop guitars. Paul has been an
inspiration due to his ingenious ways and dedication to his passion. I wish to
implement some of the ideas from Gibson’s gig bags and cases to my idea in order to
better understand how professionals from such big names manufacture their storage
items. The bags and cases will allow me to understand the basic needs which a standard
guitar or a stringed instrument would require.

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Specifications

INTRODUCTION: Completing this page will help me understand what specifications I

should be going with for the organizer. These can be altered later for further development.

Target Market Function

THE PRODUCT WILL BE AIMED AT THE PRODUCT WILL STORE STRINGED
MUSICIANS OR STORE MANAGERS AND INSTRUMENTS LIKE BASSES AND
STUDIO MANAGERS. GUITARS IN A PROTECTIVE MANNER.

Durability Cost
THE PRODUCT NEEDS TO BE TOUGH THE PRODUCT SHOULD COST BETWEEN
AND RESISTANT TO DUST AND 3000-8000.
HUMIDITY. IT NEEDS TO BE LONG
LASTING.

Size
THE ORGANIZER NEEDS TO BE FROM 1-
1.2 METERS TALL, WIDTH ABOUT .5
METERS, AND LENGTH OF 0.7 METERS.
THESE CAN BE ALTERED BASED ON
SELECTED DESIGN.
Aesthetics
THE ORGANIZER NEEDS TO LOOK
AESTHETICALLY APPEALING AND
SHOULD HAVE NEAT FINISHES AND
PAINTS TO MAKE IT LOOK PLEASING.

SUMMARY: These specifications will be included in my prototype and final designs in order
to satisfy my client’s requirements.

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Client Discussions
INTRODUCTION: This is a record of the interactions between me and my client regarding
the product.

DATE DISCUSSION RESULT DECISION

22nd September, My client and I The client said it We mutually

2020 discussed the would need to be decided that MDF
materials and the durable and cheap should be used
cost implications of so I recommended after I told him its
the said materials. using MDF. applications.
25th September, We discussed the The instruments The unit will have a
2020 instruments and will be acoustic compartment for
main uses of the guitars, electric straps, picks, capos,
storage unit along guitars, and bass and if possible,
with the space guitars, and extra pedalboards. It
available. small accessories shouldn’t take
like capos and more than
picks. 1.5mx1mx0.5m.
27th September, We discussed the The client wanted a The initial designs
2020 aesthetic approach unit with a unique include a set of
that should be and stylish very unique and
taken for unit. appearance, aesthetically
something unlike appealing ideas
the usual guitar that will be
stands and racks. developed.
1st October, My client and I The client had a We decided
2020 discussed the price low available mutually that the
range for it the budget, but said he maximum price
product could fund a should be at 8000
project under and above 3000 for
10,000 PKR. higher quality.
3rd October, We discussed the My client has two The capacity will be
2020 capacity of the main instruments, up to 2 maximum
organizer. the rest he doesn’t guitars
use a lot.

SUMMARY: This discussion and its record will help to decide some features of the product
for the future, and this record will help me to refer to the prior discussions easily. PAGE 13
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Questionnaire Results

INTRODUCTION: I floated this questionnaire containing some questions regarding my

product among 10 people, and analyzed the data from their answers.

1. Would you 2. How many instruments

compromise the quality should it hold at a time?
for the cost of the 5
product? 4

0
4 3 2 1

Yes No 2. How many instruments should it hold at a time?

3. Which instruments will the unit be storing?

Acoustic guitars Electric guitars Ukeleles Bass guitars Various instruments

4. What price range should be 5. Should the product

appropriate for this product? store extra accessories?
5
4
3
2
1
0
2000-4000 4000-6000 6000-8000 Above 8000

4. What price range should be appropriate for this

product? Yes No
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6. How many years do you

expect the product to last? 7. Where would the product
5
be placed?
4
3
2
1
0
Wall Corner Middle of Wall Hanging on
Wall

1 2 3 4 7. Where would the product be placed?

8. Is cable management something you expect the

product to solve?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Answer

Yes No

SUMMARY: I received some answers to my questions which will allow me to further develop
my shortlisted ideas in the future.
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Initial Designs
Idea 1

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Idea 2

Idea 3

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Idea 4

Idea 5

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Idea 6

Idea 7

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Idea 8

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Evaluation of Ideas
INTRODUCTION: On the basis of certain parameters, I will be evaluated each idea, which
will give me an idea on what idea is the best and how can they be improved.

Idea Does Is the Is it Is the Is the unit Is the

No. the instrument structurally instrument aesthetically instrument
product well strong? easily pleasing? economically
take protected? accessible? feasible to
low make?
amount
of
space?

1 Yes Yes Yes Yes No

No
2 No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

3 Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

4 No No No Yes Yes Yes

5 Yes No Yes Yes No Yes

6 Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

7 Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

8 Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

SUMMARY: I am able to shortlist my ideas using this table, allowing me to choose one idea
out of all the others due to it fulfilling more of my set parameters compared to other ideas.

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Tool Research

Measuring Tools:
Foot Scale It is used for
measuring lines or
objects of below
30cm/12inches.
Measuring It measures
Tape lengths of objects
in the range of 1m
to 5m.

Vernier Calipers are used

Caliper for measuring
very small
lengths, they are
used for accuracy,
and they can
measure lengths
to the accuracy of
0.1mm.

Cutting Tools:

Coping saw It used to cut out

circular/curved lines
on wood and it has a
very sharp blade.

Tenon Saw It is suitable for

cutting out the MDF
which I will be using
to make the organizer.
It cuts through
straight lines.
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Joinery Tools:

Hammer It will be used to

pound in nails into
wood.

Drill Machine It is used to drill in

holes for screws into
material, using varying
drill tools.

Finishing Tools:
Filer It smooths out the
edges of material

Wood Planer It removes any excess

wood on the surfaces
and sides of a material
in a quick manner.

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Material Research
INTRODUCTION: Several options and materials are researched to choose which is the best
for our product.

Woods
Scots Pine  Grains are straight.
 Cheap wood.
 Widely Available.

 Vulnerable to knotting.
Parana Pine  Straight, hard grains.
 Almost completely knot free.

 Expensive.
 Not readily available.
MDF  Very strong.
 Aesthetically appealing.
 Comparatively cheaper.
 Widely available.

 Heavy because of density.

Plywood  Stronger than MDF
 Easily holds in nails and screws.

 Expensive.
 Not readily available.

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Plastics
Thermosetting  Aesthetically appealing
Polymers  Cheaper
 Very stable

 Difficult to finish surface.

Thermoforming  Vast range of uses.
Polymers  Easier to finish.
 Impact resistant.

 More expensive.

SUMMARY: We chose MDF as the best of all woods for the main body and acrylic for a little
window, since it is light and aesthetically superior to glass and other plastics.

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Final Design and Developments

INTRODUCTION: By applying some developments to all of our ideas I can draw up a new
design or an improvement of one older design to give us the ideal product.

Developments:
My client and I discussed all designs and chose his favorites. Then we
discussed what additions could be added to improve them. We decided to
incorporate features of different ideas in order to combine them to make
one new, different design. Significantly inspirations were drawn from
Ideas 7 and 8, listed below are the developments we made.
1. Doors: In idea 7, the doors open outwards like generic cabinets and
doors, and in idea 8, they slide upwards. Both ideas were scratched
and instead the idea of sliding doors inside the box was
implemented, now the doors slide inside using railings, one door is

behind the other.

2. Hanging: Idea 7 is meant to be placed on the ground, idea 8 is meant

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to be hung using nails. The new design is heavier than 8 but lighter
than 7, so it can still be hung on a wall, but using metal brackets
instead of small nails.

3. Protection: To prevent scratching and scraping against the inner

walls of the organizer, a thin sheet of foam will be attached to the
inner walls, preventing damage to both the organizer and the guitar.

4. Dimensions: We made the unit smaller, by using the size of an

acoustic guitar which is biggest in size. The guitar was 104cm in total
length, so we used the size 120cm for length of main body so that the
unit will take up least possible amount of space in order to be fitted
comfortably and safely within the unit. The breadth was changed to
20cm, and the width to 90cm, giving ideal size for the unit.

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Final Design

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Anthropometric and Ergonomic Data

INTRODUCTION: With the help of a data about average sizes of human body, we can
decide the sizes of the unit that will be most comfortable to use.

Anthropometric

Height (unit height): Attached above is a chart showing the average

heights, and difference between tall and short, for males. Using this

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information, the organizer will be hung at a height that is comfortable for

the average 177.5cm tall male to access without having to bend or reach
over.
Hand Size (handle length): Using the information about the size of an
average hand, we can decide the size of the handle should be about 10cm
for comfort of sliding and holding it.

Ergonomic

FINISHING: The product will have no rough

edges or sharp points, finishing should be very
smooth to prevent minor cuts from using the
organizer.

DESIGN: Design shouldn’t be too complicated

so that the user can use it comfortably with no
confusion.

FUNCTIONALITY: The sliding doors should

be fitted in a way that they smoothly open and
close without getting stuck.

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MOUNTS: The wall mounts inside the

organizer should be fitted at the right height so
that the headstock of the guitar doesn’t hit the
top of the inner unit and the bottom of the
body doesn’t touch the base

Flowchart

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Making Diary

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INTRODUCTION: This is the step by step record of how the product was made, due to the
situation created by the covid-19, we couldn’t develop the complete project, so we made a
working model of it instead.

1. Using a pencil and a t-

scale, the dimensions were
marked onto cardboard,
the dimensions are
rechecked multiple times
to ensure their accuracy.

2. After clamping the cardboard

to the work desk, a hack saw
was used to cut along the lines
marked onto the cardboard.
Safety precautions were taken,
meaning gloves were worn,
clamps were used, and safety
goggles were worn to protect
from dust

3. Using a vice, I held down all

parts that were cut out, and
sanded them using a belt
sander, wearing earmuffs as
extra protection for ears from
all the noise produced.

5. According to the door f

a clear polthylene shee
windows were marked
permanent marker

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6. Using ice cream sticks, I made

the railing system for the doors
to slide along, one door slides
behind the other, for this I used
super glue and a paper cutter.

7. Using a brown spray paint can I

sprayed over all of the PAGE
main 34
body’s interior and exterior, to
not make a mess I covered the
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8. Using ice cream sticks and a

cutter, I cut out parts according
to the model guitars’ necks and
attached them at an appropriate
height on the interior of the
main body.

9. U
o
p
c
o

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10. I printed out two guitars, an

acoustic and an electric, according to
the scale 1/3 used for the unit itself,
then I cut out these shapes and
pasted them on the polystyrene.

11. Once the entire unit was c

tested the sliding of the do
despite the friction from th
capability, this model, des
to its structural integrity, m
weights.

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Making Diary Summary

INTRODUCTION: This part will summarize all of the manufacturing process for the working
prototype to be built and tested.

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Health and Safety Quality Control

THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF WHILE MANUFACTURING, I FIRST

CUTTING AND SANDING I WORE SANDED THE EDGES USING BELT
GOGGLES TO PROTECT EYES FROM SANDER TO ENSURE EVEN AND EQUAL
SAWDUST, GLOVES TO PROTECT SIDES AND ALL SIDES BEING SMOOTH,
HANDS FROM CUTS, AND EARMUFFS AND ALL DIMENSIONS WERE
TO PROTECT EARS FROM CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES
MACHINERY’S NOICE. ACCORDING TO THE 1/3 SCALE
CHOSEN.

Changes to Design Problems Encountered

THE HEIGHT OF THE WALLMOUNTS
INSIDE THE GUITAR ORGANIZER HAD
TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE
REALIZATION THAT AN ACOUSTIC
AND AN ELECTRIC HAVE DIFFERENT
SIZED HEADSTOCKS SO BOTH WOULD
FIT DIFFERENTTLY.
SINCE THE MATERIAL USED WAS NOT
REAL MDF, BUT A SUBSITUTE
CARDBOARD FOR MODELLING
PURPOSES, THE JOINTS COULD NOT
HAVE BEEN MADE LIKE THEY WERE
MEANT TO, SO INSTEAD OF MITRE
JOINTS, BUTT JOINTS WERE USED, AND
TINY GAPS WERE FORMED IN THE
PRODUCT’S JOINING.

Testing and
Evaluation
INTRODUCTION: This is the final part of the making the guitar organizer where we put its
functionality to test to see whether it’s suitable for use or not.

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Evaluation Against Specifications

SPECIFIATION EXTENT TO SUCCESS

The product should be complete before Due to the spread of corona virus, it was
the third week of February. not possible to complete within the time
frame and it was completed in the second
week of march instead.
The product should be compact. The product took no more than the
required space and fits perfectly
according to scale.

The instruments should be safe inside. The instruments are well kept inside the
organizer from all environmental effects.

The unit should be safe to use. There are no sharp edges on the
organizer and has no hazards involved in
the usage.

The sliding of the doors should be The organizer’s door slide very smoothly
smooth. despite not yet having the real railing.

The final product should be aesthetically Even on the model the color
appeasing. combinations and contrast looked good
and the client was satisfied.

The instruments should be easy to access. There was no problem in using the
prototype and accessing the model
guitars.

Client Feedback

The client was overall satisfied and praised the prototype for being very
promising, and stated that it was something that would be “put in use every day
of my life”. Below is a checklist that was filled out by the client Mohsin JalilPAGE 39
himself.
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CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS


The organizer is easy to access.


The organizer is safe to use.


The guitars are safe from environmental damage.


The guitars do not get damaged by being in contact with each
other.


The guitars are organized in an orderly manner.


The organizer fulfills its overall purpose.


Is the finishing up to standards?

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