Go Tokyo Your Experience
In the current trend of streaming music, there are still many people who miss the era of buying physical CDs to listen to music. The physical CD still attracts a loyal fan base with its exquisite packaging design and accompanying lyric book. Recently, Japanese netizens have been discussing the prosperous period of CDs, and some have mentioned that in addition to the common; 12cm CD; Besides, there is also a smaller one; 8cm CD; Once led the trend of fashion.
And the unique packaging of this 8cm CD is even more memorable. Let’s take a look at how this CD is designed to be unforgettable
A young man curiously asked, “Why was the packaging of CDs rectangular in the past?” Because I happened to have this type of CD at home, and I took a photo to show him. However, he also asked, ‘What is the plastic frame in the lower part for?’ I have no answer to this. I don’t know who can explain it?
A Japanese netizen nicknamed “きよまる” recently sparked a heated discussion online about the topic of “8cm CD”
He shared a photo of the single CD of the dating game “Pure Love Notes 2”.
This 8cm CD, also known as a mini CD, is smaller than the typical 12cm CD. It began to appear in the Japanese music industry in the late 1980s and became popular in the 1990s.
Due to limited capacity, most 8cm CDs are released as singles.
The 8cm CD is smaller than the common 12cm CD, but its unique and quirky design is impressive
The 8cm CD box is usually designed in a rectangular shape, with the upper half holding CDs and the lower half extending into a plastic frame.
Unlike the 12cm CD box that approaches a square shape, the 8cm CD box is a rectangle with a side length of 1:2. What many people don’t understand is that the plastic frame that occupies half of the box seems useless, and they plan to let fans throw it away when they go home
The instructions inside the box often indicate that ‘the box can be folded in half’.
With just a gentle flick, the plastic frame can be easily removed.
Then fold the lyric book and cover in half, reducing the volume of the CD box by half.
However, why not directly make the CD box into a square shape, but first make it into a rectangle and let fans fold it themselves at home?
Most Japanese netizens believe that this was to match the size of the single album packaging at that time. Therefore, two CDs can be placed directly on the original record display rack. If fans want convenient storage, they can fold it in half at home.
The reaction of netizens is
Some people believe that this is a habit of the record industry. At that time, in order to transform and sell CDs, the display rack size had to be changed, and after adopting this design, there was no need to make any further changes.
I heard it’s to match the packaging size of the record. By the way, I don’t know if this is true or falseBut I heard that the person who originally thought of this rectangular design had the surname ‘Tian Jing’, so I adopted a design in the lower half that resembles a combination of ‘Tian’ and ‘Jing’
Another explanation is that this is to prevent CDs from being stolen.
Some people joke that this design is for separating egg yolk and egg white.
Folding this CD case in half is indeed a healing experience!