Design Case Study - CD Player

My Role: Front-end innovation, iterative sketch exploration, concept refinement, CAD development & visualization

Developed during my time at Empire Group, this front-end innovation program for Walmart's private-label electronics brand, onn., highlights the successful execution of high-volume, cost-optimized consumer electronics. Responsibility on this project centered on front-end rapid ideation, interface layout, and advanced CAD development to modernize the classic portable boombox form factor. We delivered a highly refined, production-ready CAD concept that was handed off directly to Walmart’s internal engineering and tooling teams. The final commercial product launched at massive retail scale while remaining entirely faithful to our original industrial design intent—proving an ability to deliver compelling, brand-elevating aesthetics that seamlessly adapt to strict corporate manufacturing budgets and high-volume injection molding constraints.

When Walmart approached us at Empire Group to develop a new portable CD player boombox for their 2019 ONN electronics productline, I had a “double take” moment. YES, I said CD player. And to my surprise, there still is a market for these “relics”. The current ONN “boombox,” incredibly dated and “insect/alien-like” in form, was in desperate need of an update. The new CD player needed to look modern and premium, while still appealing to the heritage of the boombox. Through inspirational research and iterative form development, we provided ONN with a new sophisticated and premium look.

REFERENCE & INSPIRATION IMAGERY

Old boomboxes, new boomboxes, bluetooth speakers, materials & finish, button configurations, form, & styles

SKETCH DEVELOPMENT

REFINED CONCEPT SKETCH

CONCEPT RENDERINGS

EXTRA CONCEPT RENDERINGS