Color is key for summertime product releases

Clockwise from left, Woongjin Cuchen’s rice cooker, Samsung’s “jacket” phone and Fuji’s FinePix. Provided by the companies

Digital gadgets such as mobile phones, MP3 players and even small household appliances are becoming more colorful as people place more importance on design and individuality.
Kim Ju-yeon, a 26-year-old office worker, is considered a fashionable person at work because she color-coordinates her cell phone and MP3 player with what she wears.
“I recently bought a new blue dress, and these days I like to wear blue tones because it’s hot [outside]. Matching my gadgets to the same color gives an overall cooling look,” Kim said.
Digital devices and appliances are usually black or white, but in the summer, new releases become more colorful, taking on bold splashes of orange, pink and blue. Companies are releasing the same models in several different colors and adding color to old models for vamped-up releases.
Many companies explain that summer is the season when appliances and gadgets become more colorful in Korea because people want to change the look in their house or perk up emotions that are down from the extreme heat or monsoon rains.
Dell Computer’s new Inspiron laptop launched this month comes in eight different colors, including yellow, espresso, lime green and pink.
Woongjin Cuchen recently released a rice cooker in three colors not traditionally used for appliances ― silver, chocolate and orange.
One of Samsung Electronics’ latest phones is dubbed the “color jacket phone” because it has seven different “jackets” that change the color of its exterior.
Kim Jin-soo, a researcher at Samsung Electronics’ design team, said designers think of mobile devices like fashion accessories from the very beginning of their conception. “Function is important, but they have to be able to be used as a fashion accessory to be popular,” he explained.
Reigncom’s latest MP3 player was released in five colors, including pink. The music player, designed in joint with Disney, was shaped to look like the head of Mickey Mouse and can be hung around one’s neck on a chain like a necklace pendant.
Fujifilm’s digital camera FinePix Z5fd comes in four colors that have a metallic sheen.
Companies also noted that the reason behind the colorful palette of digital devices is the rising number of female consumers.

By Chang Chung-hoon JoongAng Ilbo [wohn@joongang.co.kr]