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When purchasing a product there are certain things we take into account, possibly subliminally, sometimes very well acknowledging the fact. However, it is more than likely that we will purchase a more expensive version of a product for little gain except its physical appearance.

A prime example of this is with iPods and specifically the iPod Touch (shown below).

The iPod touch was considered a revolutionary MP3/MP4 player when it came out In September 2007. It was also considered to be the best on the market.

I purchased an iPod touch in the first few months of 2008. When searching for an MP3 player I initially went out looking for an item under the £100 mark. Whilst searching for an MP3 player there’s two options. Either, the cheap end plays MP3’s, or, there’s the brand name models which come with a few more features ie contacts, calendar etc. As you may be able to guess, the iPod touch costs a ‘touch’ (no pun intended) more than £100. In fact it is twice the price, £199.99.

So why did I pay twice the price I was originally willing to? Was it because it came with a calendar? Or was it because there were games available? Personally I don’t think it had anything to do with any of that. After all don’t we already have items that tell us where to be and when, and don’t we have over-priced Sega’s to play games on? So why is it that we pay more? I believe it is the design and media glorification of a product that sways our decision.

I believe that the design of a product and how it is portrayed in the media work hand in hand to convince us to buy a product at twice the price of its rivals. The reason for this its obvious – well sort of. I believe that the reason we buy these products is because we’re made to feel that they will make a much bigger difference to out life style than the non-branded Japanese import. We’re never really told how they will improve our quality of life, but it seems we are willing to believe it anyway. The other reason is entirely due to the design of the product. I think that it’s our subconscious idea of wanting the best. As with anything, if its aesthetically pleasing it is considered in our minds ‘better’ than a product with identical functions.