The trend to personalise mass-produced gadgets and gizmos is finding many takers. A cross-section of the public tells us why the customising concept is endearing.
Andre Abinader, operations manager of a Dubai-based retail store, fits the modern metrosexual mould. Confident and unapologetic about his acquisitions, he feels that all his belongings should bear his personal stamp.
When it came to decorating his house or his car, his expectations were easily satisfied. But when it came to personalising mass-produced electronic gadgets and gizmos, the reception was not so warm.
Enter Andre's saviour: Skin Jam; an outlet that customises gadgets and gizmos, tucked into one of the hallways of Dubai Festival City. His Nokia 3380 which was a "boring black" is now a blazing blue with a caricature of the Burj Al Arab on its back cover.
"You know what I have realised, having a spruced-up phone is one of the best ice-breakers .... especially during a meeting or a party. I love all the attention I get with just a phone," he says. Incidentally, his phone bears no resemblance to the model (Nokia 3380) that he had purchased.
"I hate changing mobiles and I am not crazy about having the latest one. Unless this one goes kaput, I will continue to keep changing its covers and adding my signature style to it. So if you look at the bigger picture, it saves money," he explains.
On his agenda next is the customisation of his laptop. "In my to-do list is adding a jazzy cover to my laptop. Though I would choose a more macho-looking cover, I like the way they have done up this lap-top (look at pic on page 20). It is a good choice for a hip girl" he says.
Abinader is not the first in Dubai to consider personalising his phones and other gadgets such as MP3s and playstations through Skin Jam. Giving him company is Regina Siddique and her daughters. Regina has spent as much as Dh1,500 on her phone. "I love jewellery and sparkle. So customising my phone with crystals sounded like a great idea and it has now become an accessory of sorts," she says."
Her daughters are following in her footsteps. Her twelve-year-old daughter, for instance, has an L.G Chocolate which is a crystal encrusted blazing pink phone.
"This colour is not available in the LG model, so I was thrilled to get the skin changed," she says.
This family has even gone to the extent of customising their Sony camera into purple with butterflies on it.
Meanwhile, Dimple J is not willing to dig deep into her pockets.
"I am willing to spend around Dh300 on my phone, that's about it. But this concept is reasonable and is a fun one. I can't wait to see my jazzed up phone," she tells e+.
Asked if some of the designs were a tad corny and wannabe, Zena Baranda was quick to jump to the defence.
"It's a matter of personal choice. If you are not a flashy person, then there are options that underplay it. Also, what one must realise is that it is not a permanent fixture and the original style of the gadget is rarely tampered with," she says.
For Baranda, the lure of floral designs drew her to customising her phone.
"There's no bigger turn-off than a mass-produced phone. This one is quick solution to all those who want to do something different with their gadgets," she says.
*Skin Jam outlet is located at Dubai Festival City and Virgin Megastores
