Innovative CD Player Blends Music and Fashion
For his yearlong thesis, Dan Cohen ’25 has combined his interests in music and fashion to create a unique, wearable CD player known as the Voyager CD Bag. Unlike many of his contemporaries who favor streaming services, Cohen, a musician himself, enjoys listening to his favorite tracks on compact discs and vinyl records. Through his research, he discovered that there is a community of peers who share his preference for physical formats, inspiring him to integrate these two passions into his innovative project.
A Response to Digital Overload
“This project is a reflection of Gen Z’s increasing interest in nostalgic and tangible technology,” explains Cohen, who is pursuing a degree in industrial and interaction design at the College of Visual and Performing Arts. He notes that today’s world is heavily saturated with screens, often leading to a disconnection from the experience of music. Many of his peers express feelings of being overwhelmed by the impersonal nature of digital interactions. They crave a more genuine connection with their music, one that allows for ownership and intentionality.
Rediscovering the Joy of Physical Media
Cohen observed that many students on campus opted for the tactile pleasure of vinyl records and CDs over digital streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. He believes that there is a personal touch to engaging with physical media, which contrasts with the mindless navigation through digital playlists. In an era characterized by device overload, using a CD player can offer a meaningful and authentic listening experience. His Voyager CD Bag seamlessly combines retro technology with modern aesthetics, enabling users to enjoy their favorite music through a functional, waterproof, and skip-proof CD player. Cohen envisions the possibility of marketing and producing the Voyager CD Bag, targeting an audience that appreciates portable yet vintage music technology.
Understanding the Market Needs
Before bringing his idea to life, Cohen took a thorough approach to market research to assess the interest in his wearable CD player. A significant lesson from his industrial design studies emphasized the importance of understanding the target audience. “Industrial design is about more than just creating an ideal product sketch. We emphasize the research component to learn who we are designing for and their user experiences. To truly understand your audience, you must ask the right questions,” Cohen states.
To gather insights about his product, Cohen conducted interviews with industry experts, including Adam Carr ’02, director of industrial design at Bose Corporation, and Sean Christy, an industrial designer at McIntosh Laboratory Inc., known for their premium audio systems. He also distributed tailored surveys to two distinct groups: individuals aged 18 to 29 and those 30 and older. The feedback revealed that while most respondents enjoyed CDs, they found traditional players cumbersome and expressed a desire for a stylish and portable alternative. With this validation, Cohen proceeded to design his prototype.
Bringing a Vision to Life
Inspired by iconic devices such as the Walkman and Discman, Cohen aimed to create a fashionable accessory that users would eagerly take with them. To determine the aesthetic appeal, he explored campus environments, noting which items students considered essential when leaving their dorms or apartments. “Bags have become a significant fashion statement, and I recognized that integrating a CD player into a bag would be the best direction,” Cohen explains.
The final result is a chic grey bag featuring a zipper closure and an adjustable black strap. Attached to one side is a sleek black CD player equipped with a headphone jack and a pouch for storing multiple CDs. “The feedback from those I shared the bag with was overwhelmingly positive, with excitement about the concept of a portable CD player bag,” says Cohen. “I had a clear vision of what I wanted to create, and I feel fortunate to have brought that vision to fruition.” He reflects on the project as a valuable learning experience, emphasizing the importance of self-trust throughout the process. “Despite facing challenges along the way, this project was fueled by my passion, and I take pride in the final product.”
