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Aruma explained that her choice of the guitar came from her fascination with the world’s most popular instrument. “The guitar is the most played instrument in the world. I myself often perform on stage using a guitar. So this work is not just academic, it’s something I can actually bring onto the stage,” she said.

Karuun Material: From Furniture to Musical Instrument

The use of karuun in guitar making brings a distinct uniqueness. Previously, this material was widely known in the furniture industry, but had never been explored acoustically. Aruma discovered that karuun makes the guitar lighter, more flexible, and allows more diverse body shape designs compared to wood. The curved shapes she created were not just for aesthetics, but also based on ergonomic research for guitarists’ comfort.

“Because karuun is more elastic and flexible, the guitar can be shaped with more curves. That’s important, not only for looks, but also for playing comfort,” she explained.

Research and Validation Process

The TA project took one full year to complete. The first six months were spent studying guitar-playing gestures, measuring every contour, thickness, and ergonomic detail that players need. Afterward, Aruma collaborated with musicians and sound engineers for acoustic validation.

Acoustic tests in the laboratory, including sound quality analysis (sharpness, loudness, roughness) and spectrum analysis, showed that her karuun guitar produced a warmer and mellow sound, different from wooden guitars. “According to musicians, the sound is warmer, more suitable for folk or mellow music. That’s what gives this guitar its character,” she said.

The Challenge: Shaping the Guitar Body

The design process was not without obstacles. From 100 initial sketch alternatives, Aruma had to narrow them down to a single final design. But the biggest challenge was shaping the guitar body, which took three to four months. “The headstock and neck could be finished in just a few days, but the body was the hardest part because this material had never been used for musical instruments before,” Aruma recalled.

She collaborated with two craftsmen: Krisandi, who specializes in karuun, and Rikun, a guitar craftsman. Guidance also came from her supervisor, Dr. Dwinita Larasati, MA, who encouraged Aruma to keep exploring her designs.

Results: Distinct Sound and Top Grades

To find the best outcome, Aruma even built two full-sized guitars (1:1 scale) for testing. The results showed that her final guitar produced a sound distinct from wooden guitars, softer and mellow, successfully creating a new character. For this achievement, Aruma received one of the highest grades, an A, and graduated Cum Laude.

“For me, this wasn’t about chasing the label of innovation. It’s something personal, something I love, and I poured my heart into it. That’s why, even though it was tough, I never felt burdened,” she said.

From Academics to the Music Stage

The uniqueness of her work makes the karuun guitar not just an academic project, but also part of Aruma’s music career. She has even brought it onto several stages. However, for mass production, she wants to wait. “I want to take a break before selling it. I don’t feel ready yet to compete with big-name guitars in the market. But maybe later, I can start with individual components,” she shared.

Message for ITB Students

Aruma has been actively sharing her life journey on social media since high school. For her, digital platforms are not just for sharing, but also the main space for her work. “If you have a creation, just show it off. Treat social media as something important in your work. From there, you’ll know whether you’re in the right field,” she advised.

Looking ahead, Aruma plans to focus fully on being a musician for the next two to three years, before returning to product design professionally and even pursuing a Master’s degree. “In short, I want to dedicate full time to being a musician first. Many opportunities slipped by during my studies, so now I want to maximize them,” she concluded.

This Final Project is not only part of Aruma’s academic journey as a student, but also a work aligned with her path as a musician, born in the classroom, and continuing to accompany her steps in music.