As IT devices become more integrated with fashion, the importance of design is also increasing.

In the case of smartwatches, which have recently attracted great attention, it can be said that the design concept of these devices is at an ambiguous boundary between whether they should be centered around watches or created at the level of smart devices.

The Samsung Gear S2, which Samsung released in September, is the successor to the wrist-type wearable product introduced last year and features a circular design with a rotating bezel. The company said that the Samsung Gear S2 was created for consumers with more active lifestyles with a simple and modern design that satisfies various ages and tastes, while the Samsung Gear S2 Classic features a premium black color and a leather strap for consumers who prefer an elegant yet traditional watch design.

Emphasize the design features of recent smartwatches

The LG Watch Urbane Luxe, unveiled by LG Electronics at IFA 2015 in Germany on the 4th, also features a 23K gold-plated body and a premium alligator leather strap. The company explained that to add to its luxurious feel, it was packaged in a high-quality wooden case with a subtle sheen and a sophisticated touch.

In this way, the design of smart devices has emerged as the most important factor that each company must consider when developing a smartwatch, and furthermore, securing a luxury image has become a factor that determines the survival of the product.

In a 2013 announcement, CNBC in the US stated that Apple is closer to a luxury brand than a technology company, and that in a ranking of the coolest brands released by CoolBrands, a British market research firm, Apple ranked first for two consecutive years, beating out luxury brands such as Aston Martin and Rolex.

The Digieco report recently published by the KT Economic and Management Research Institute clearly shows the impact of design on smart home appliances. According to the report, "Samsung Electronics succeeded in securing its own unique design language (characteristics) with the launch of the Galaxy S6 Edge, but its image as a premium terminal is still judged to be inferior to that of Apple's iPhone."

As evidence for this, it was analyzed that the influence of star designers such as Jony Ive, which Apple has but Samsung Electronics does not, is strengthening the image of the iPhone as a luxury terminal.

Additionally, "As the luxuryization of smart devices becomes more important, it is expected that the designer who designed them will become more important, just like with fashion products. However, it is presumed that the absence of star designers (although the lack of completion of the OS and UI may also have an effect) is what is currently creating the difference between Samsung Electronics and Apple," he said.

Considering the difference in image between an iPhone designed by Jony Ive and a Galaxy phone designed by an unknown Samsung Electronics designer, it is predicted that no matter how good the design is, it may be difficult for Samsung Electronics to secure an image as a luxury product.

Accordingly, he pointed out that the most urgent task for Samsung is to cultivate or recruit influential star designers on a global level.