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CD-player
Fukasawa, Naoto, born 1956 - Enlarge image
CD-player
- Place of origin:
Tokyo (manufactured)
- Date:
1999 (manufactured)
- Artist/Maker:
Fukasawa, Naoto, born 1956 (designers)
Muji (manufacturers) - Materials and Techniques:
Injection-moulded ABS plastic, metal parts, electronic components
- Museum number:
W.3:1 to 6-2011
- Gallery location:
Japan, Room 45, The Toshiba Gallery, case 6 []
This small wall-mounted CD-player exemplifies Naoto Fukasawa’s approach to product design. Fukasawa wanted to design an object that would trigger an instinctive or unconscious response in its user. He described this instinctive response as ‘Without Thought’, arguing that products should not need an instruction manual, that their functionality should be evident instinctively.
Fukusawa noted the resemblance between a CD spinning in a player and the rotating blades of a domestic extractor fan. He explored this visual similarity in the CD player’s design. In particular, he sought to incorporate the intrinsic simplicity of the extractor’s operating controls, a simple pull-cord to switch the unit on and off. The resulting CD-player is a coverless wall-mounted unit that at first glance resembles a kitchen or bathroom extractor, complete with power cord hanging below. The cord invites the user to pull it and play the music on the CD via behaviour learnt from other products found in the home. The speakers are contained within the unit, the volume and search controls are found on top of the player.
