If Zune can't compete with the market-dominating iPod for its cool factor, it's certainly tightening the gap on customization.
If Zune can't compete with the market-dominating iPod for its cool factor, it's certainly tightening the gap on customization. Gone are the days of text tags etched into the back plate of your mp3 player. As a fourth-quarter push from the Microsoft affiliate to compete with their Apple competitor during the holidays, Zune has introduced a series of 46 designs from a variety of artists to quench the demand of an increasingly individualized consumer market.
Their tattoo series revives tried-and-true body art forms such as floral designs, Asian dragons and even a skull, while the Zodiac series draws from astrology's pictoral lore - all of which can be laser-sketched into your personal Zune player. Seattle artist Iosefatu Sua was tapped to lend her creative hand to the latter with 12 Eastern designs, and Columbian artist Catalina Estrada for the pairing 12 Western designs, distinct for their symmetrical patterns.
In addition to those of the Zune Originals series, though, 12 artist designs have been picked up from graffiti guru Dalek, graphic animation designer Motomichi and DJ Daniel Jackson, known for his work on clothing, jewelry and skate decks. Other artists include Kenzo Minami, Alex Trochut, Alvaro Arteaga, Emil Kozak, Ippei Gyoubu, Kate Morass, Maya Hayuk, Siggi Eggertsson and Robin Nishio.
