contextA clear demand for affordable entry level harps has been identified within the context of the Leerorkest’s ±100 schools across the Netherlands. There is a high demand especially among children from a migration background (girls and boys alike), whereas current entry level harps are expensive, fragile, non-standardised, unwieldy, high-maintenance and generally unfit for purpose. The Leerorkest have asked JBD (Joris Beets Design, inventors of the electro-acoustic “delta harp”) to deliver an initial batch of several hundred such instruments. JBD have concluded promising initial exploratory research (with children, teachers, Leerorkest instrument depot, manufacturers) and will fund the design phase with a view of extrapolating the market beyond the context of the Leerorkest.

goalCreate a production-ready design for a durable and affordable entry level harp, addressing the needs of various relevant actors: students, teachers, schools, depot volunteers and the Leerorkest as an organisation. Strech goals include modularity, scalability, ability to extrapolate its application into general music schools and consumer product domains.

project deliverablesUser research-based, user-tested working prototype (will be fully funded and supported by JBD), and 3D design for production.

project timelineImmediate start, duration as per faculty standards (6 months).

application requirementsBSc in IDE @ TU Delft, all MSc subjects completed to date with good results for technical subjects, proficient in SolidWorks, fluency in Dutch (user research)

M U S I C A L I N S T R U M E N T D E S I G NWho’s up for designing a next generation musical instrument?~ The Affordable Entry Harp for Children

leerorkest site

project on youtube

current delta harp

delta harp site

contact: joris@jorisbeetsdesign.com R.vanEgmond@tudelft.nl