Product Analysis: The CD Case

I give you, the CD case:

This design may not be one of classical beauty, however its form and function combine in a balanced way that creates a functional product.

What exactly is the idea behind a CD case? Obviously the most important aspect of the content is a way to carry the CD, but what are the other characteristics that need to be expressed in the case's form? Considering the fragility of CDs, a way to carry the disc that will ensure it does not escape the design's hold is a must. Thus, security is one aspect of the CD case's content. And what about the fact that the product this content concerns, is called a compact disc? The content also carries the idea of being tiny, and easy to transport.

The form of the CD case certainly does a satisfactory job in expressing these aspects of content. The case is certainly compact, and the composition of the design allows for this quality; the plastic in the base is molded to hold the CD in a way that allows it to lay flush with the rest of the base. Then, the door of the case attaches beside the edge of the disc rather than on top of it, but still in close proximity, adding no additional thickness to the case. This form creates a design that is barely larger than the CD itself in height, width, and especially width. This allows easy storage of the CD almost anywhere with a sliver of available space. The texture on the edges of the CD and the self-expanding ring in the middle of the disc express the quality of security for the disc. The texture gives the person holding the case a better grip on it, and the ring of tiny prongs that contract to allow the disc to be "clicked" into place, also expand to hold it (somewhat) securely in place. This decreases the chances of the disc falling out of the case, expressing the design's simplest element of content, an enclosure for the disc. 

There are variations of this vernacular content, some of which I prefer. For example, some cases are cardboard, rather than plastic enclosures. This form is both better for the environment and, in my opinion, more comfortable. The edges of these cases are less pronounced and gentler to the touch, and the case usually has a uniformly smooth texture that is very pleasing to the hand. These cases are also much more durable than the plastic, which tend to break.

Of course preference of one case over the other is purely a subjective assertion, but the differences in the form of these two designs show that similar ideas or content often leads to many diverse interpretations of these ideas through different forms.