Production for Digital Environments
MAGNAVOX
2024
For my Production for Digital Environments class, our project involved redesigning an analog technology piece, the Magnavox MD6924, a portable top-loading boombox/CD player, for modern users. Throughout the ideation process, our group prioritized user-friendliness and a contemporary aesthetic. We conducted thorough research, particularly focusing on enhancing accessibility for disabled users, including those with low vision, deafness, blindness, and amputations. In our redesign, we made several corrections to the interface. Notably, we removed the tuning knobs on the side, spaced out the buttons for better ergonomics, and gave the device a refreshed, modern look while departing from the stereotypical 90s CD player design. Practical changes included eliminating the lid for the CD space, opting for a design akin to a car CD player, enhancing button aesthetics, lowering the handle to minimize movement during transport, adding a longer strap for easier transportation, relocating the speakers to the sides for both aesthetics and improved sound quality, and incorporating Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-C charger. Our overarching objective was to transform the CD player into a valuable tool for everyday modern users, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for music enthusiasts and collectors alike.