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Samsung's VP for Design Offended by Apple's Allegations of Copying

Friday March 23, 2012 7:36 am PDT by Arnold Kim
Reuters profiles Samsung Electronics and their design process in the setting of Apple's ongoing legal battle accusing Samsung of "slavishly copying" Apple's products.

Samsung Mobile's vice president for design Lee Minhyouk takes Apple's charges personally and denies the allegations:
"I've made thousands of sketches and hundreds of prototype products (for the Galaxy). Does that mean I was putting on a mock show for so long, pretending to be designing?"

"As a designer, there's an issue of dignity. (The Galaxy) is original from the beginning, and I'm the one who made it. It's a totally different product with a different design language and different technology infused."
Lee admits that he may not be at the level of Apple's VP for design Jonathan Ive, but believes Samsung "will produce such iconic products one day."

Samsung has proven to be the largest Android smartphone manufacturer and one of Apple's biggest competitors. Samsung is also one of Apple's biggest suppliers and the manufacturer of Apple's 3rd Generation iPad's Retina Display. Apple and Samsung are in an ongoing legal battle over design and patent claims.

[ 240 comments ]


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nfl46
89 months ago
Well, at least he got one thing right, he's not on the level of Ive. :apple:
Rating: 83 Votes
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vito
89 months ago
well if he says he spent all that time coming up with thousands of designs and prototypes I'd love to see all the variations and know why he picked the one pretty much identical to the iPhone! ;)

Samsung and dignity :D :D
Rating: 81 Votes
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PackFan
89 months ago
Boo hoo...

The entire basis of Android is that it is a copy of Apple...
Rating: 65 Votes
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FFArchitect
89 months ago
"and I'm the one who made it"

I distinctly remembering Steve Jobs stating repeatedly that it wasn't just him, emphasizing that thousands of people were involved in their innovations.

He could learn a lesson or two about cultivating a culture around Samsung's development.
Rating: 61 Votes
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jasonxneo
89 months ago
That phone in the article looks like an iPhone :D
Rating: 57 Votes
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Boatboy24
89 months ago
Cry me a river...
Rating: 49 Votes
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camnchar
89 months ago
"(The Galaxy) is original from the beginning, and I'm the one who made it. It's a totally different product with a different design language and different technology infused."

"Because, see, our home button is a rectangle."
Rating: 43 Votes
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thelonelylimo
89 months ago

Samsung "will produce such iconic products one day."


ZzzZz
Rating: 37 Votes
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Lek
89 months ago

That phone in the article looks like an iPhone :D


I read Lee's words with compassion and understanding. Then I glanced askew at my iphone sitting next to my macbook, slowly raised it next to the screen, looked back and forth, and said to myself.... his design looks like my iphone.
Rating: 35 Votes
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Dave00
89 months ago

"I've made thousands of sketches and hundreds of prototype products (for the Galaxy). Does that mean I was putting on a mock show for so long, pretending to be designing?"

Um, yup, pretty obvious there buddy. Couldn't even design their own icons.
Rating: 33 Votes

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