Marshall's Guitar Amplifier

Synopsis

Created in 2022 and reworked in 2023, this product originated from learning an instrument during quarantine, aiming to deliver a stylish, easy-to-use essential for beginner guitarists.

Responsibilities

Brand Research / Ideation / Renders / CMF Redesigns

Timeline

2022 - 2023

Consumer electronics

This project is not affiliated with the brand Marshall

History

Amplification Musical Instrument
Manufacturing
London England 1962
Founder Jim Marshall
All types of audio products
Recording Artists
Natal Drums
Etc.

“Here at Marshall we’re proud of our history but we’re only just getting started. You may have noticed that we’ve released new products, refreshed our look, added new features to our website, all to realize our vision to support the next generation of musicians and music lovers. Marshall are defined as innovators and we will continue to push the boundaries of possibility to help inspire you to find your sound.”

Product Line

Marshall's Target Audience

Marshall's target audience has a wide variety of consumers. From beginner to expert level players, they mainly cater towards younger adults that have more than a passion for music.
They also have multiple lines of products for both musicians and
non-musicians including headphones, bluetooth speakers, amps, and pedals.

Branding Competitors

Multiple competitors in market; "beginner" amplifiers. Here are some already in the market.

Fender Acoustasonic 40

Blackstar Fly 3

Orange Crush 20

Yamaha THR30II Wireless

Line 6 Spider V 20 MKII

Vox VT20X

Guitar Amp Trends

Guitar amps have seen a lot of change over the years. From your typical box stereo to portable speakers, innovation has been through the roof. Here are some current trends in the market today.

Virtuosity to Simplicity

Simplicity is back
Analog
Easily digestible structure
Straight forward technology
Made for beginners
Honoring the past
Future Retroism

Technological/ Longevity

Personalized Options
Brands are “different”
Gimmicky and stylish
Evoking Luxury
Gives a premium edge
Neutral metals and plastics
Creating new products

Sustainability

Up-Cycling
Re-purposed materials
Re-usable Materials
100% natural alternatives
“Use-Less” mentality
Only the necessary parts needed

Trend Explorations

Blue tooth Amps

Existing Guitar Amp Market

Eco-Friendly

Amp+Stand

Rectangles for Beginners

Material Explorations

Recycled Plastics

Glass

Silicone

Metals and Stone

Wood

Ideations

Ideations made in Illustrator and Photoshop. Started with 3 designs and chose the one that best fits the topic. Ideations include basic guitar controls, handles, and subwoofers.

sizing and scale

Using Marshalls strong branding style, it's important to incorporate those into my design. Using geometric forms and physical analog controls, the amplifier follows similar design identity.

Renders

CMF: Redesigns

After finalizing the product, I developed three new designs each aligned with its respective concept drawing from notable trends and directions.

Color Palette: Playful

Inspired by 1970s aesthetics, the redesign draws from the era’s light shows and album cover art for its color palette. Recycled plastics are used to recreate this look in a vibrant, affordable way, allowing users to experience a playful sense of nostalgia.

Color Palette: Studious

Studious is designed to honor the past, drawing inspiration from old at-home radio stations to bring speakers back to their roots. Traditionally built from wood and metal with analog-style screens and buttons, this approach is reimagined using repurposed instrument woods, which offer richer, more refined sound qualities compared to plywood and other materials.

Color Palette: Lustrous

There is a growing demand for metals that offer longevity, leading many designers and brands to explore new materials and finishes. By incorporating these metal colors and finishes, Marshall’s product line gains a renewed, premium aesthetic.

Playful

The material is made from locally sourced plastic waste, giving each speaker a unique, personalized character. After heat treatment, the recycled plastic becomes highly durable. The redesign remains minimal, focusing on what matters most so users can fully enjoy the product’s functionality.

Studious

The materials consist of repurposed woods, ceramics, and fabrics sourced from discarded guitars, violins, and cellos to enhance sound quality. The exterior features ebony, with a walnut inner shell, while the mesh is made from recycled cotton reclaimed from discarded clothing. A ceramic digital-analog screen references classic at-home radio stations, complemented by a chemically treated steel bronze button plate that enhances the warm wood color palette.