My product study will focus on a "smallish stereo-headphone cassette player" (Klein's description of an unfamiliar product,) commonly known as the 'Sony Walkman.'

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WHAT IS GOING TO BE STUDIED?

My product study will focus on a “smallish stereo-headphone cassette player” (Klein’s description of an unfamiliar product,) commonly known as the ‘Sony Walkman.’

“The Walkman has always been about personal portable entertainment. Underlying this theme is a very strong message of personal music freedom. It gives consumers the freedom to define their music experience by choosing when, where and what to listen. With Walkman, music moved out of the home and into the streets and became part and parcel of modern lifestyle. Music freedom was a message that everyone can relate to. Before long, the world "Walkman” became a household name and every portable device took the Walkman as a role model. The word "Walkman” can now be found in most modern dictionaries.” http://www.sony.ph

WHY WAS THE TOPIC CHOSEN?

When choosing a product to base my study on, the first decision I made was to research a product that I use on a daily basis and was of interest to me. I was motivated to Study the ‘Sony Walkman’ when I was sitting in the 6th form common room. AS I looked around I saw many people with headphones in their ears. As my eyes followed the thin black wire coming from their ears, they soon settled on a device connected at the end. It amazed me how though the shape, style, materials, and colours varied from one device to another, the primary function of each walkman was the same: to play cassettes anytime and anywhere. 

I began to think about how important the walkman is to both me and other people, in a day and age where we are dependant on music. Portable entertainment devices such as the walkman have become a commodity which we would find it difficult to survive without, and for this reason it would be an interesting product to study.

I chose to look at the Sony Walkman, as oppose to walkmans produced by other competing companies, as Sony was the creator of the original product.

WHAT DO I HOPE TO LEARN BY COMPLETING THE STUDY?

The purpose of this product study is to analyse and illustrate the design and manufacturing aspects of the ‘Sony Walkman,’ that have been involved in its evolution and development into a timeless design classic.

In order to learn about a design classic the following points should be researched:

  • History of the product
  • What the need was to be fulfilled which instigated the creation of the walkman
  • The design inspiration
  • The design decisions
  • The factors involved in manufacturing
  • Evolution of the product
  • How it was/is marketed
  • Technological  developments and innovations

I will be looking at the following design and manufacturing issues in this study:

DESIGN ISSUES

  1. Design Decisions
  2. The Japanese influence on the design

MANUFACTURING ISSUES

  1. Materials used to manufacture the Walkman casing
  2. Process used to manufacture casing
  3. Quality and Reliability in manufacture
  4. Advances in manufacturing technology
  5. Innovations in manufacture

WHAT DO I HOPE THE READER WILL LEARN FROM READING THIS STUDY?

Not only do I hope to inform the reader about the Sony walkman, its design and manufacturing issues, but I want them to develop an interest for the product. More so I wish to create an appreciation for the walkman, in which every time they see or use a walkman, they will remember and appreciate and understand the hard work that has gone into its creation and development.

WHAT METHODS/SOURCES OF INVESTIGATION WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO OBTAIN THE RELEVANT INFORMATION?

To gather research I am hoping to gather information from a variety of sources, to avoid plagiarism and in an effort to learn more. This will include secondary information from:

  • Internet: Vast amounts of detailed information is available, but the internet is time consuming as will have to search through it and cut it down to what is relevant.
  • Books: These are little more difficult to track down, especially when specific information is required, although if it is found, it is worth it as books are a very good source of information.
  • Magazines/newspapers: Current and up to date information.
  • Video: I will watch a case study on the Sony Walkman in video format. This will provide me with overall information regarding manufacture, design as well as marketing aspects of the Walkman.
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I will also try to obtain information from a primary source by writing to Sony directly asking for information regarding the Sony Walkman.

All the sources of information that I am going to use will all focus on all the sections that I am covering. Information regarding the Walkman tends to be presented in a case study format, so it will be a matter of taking the most important and relevant parts of each source, analysing them and compiling my product study accordingly.

MY PROPOSED TIME/ACTION PLAN

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE SONY WALKMAN

The ...

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