Samsung Black Metal Design Story
Exclusiveness
from Material
The kitchen paradigm is shifting.
People are transforming their kitchens into ‘living kitchens’ that eliminate spatial boundaries
and transcend beyond the stereotypical cooking space. Furthermore, more and
more people are aspiring for an aficionado’s lifestyle that exhibits expertise and fine taste.
What kind of kitchen appliances can we offer to such a kitchen that has adopted
this new lifestyle and personality? We have made a certain distinction
to our users’ kitchen stories with a premium material known as ‘Black Metal’.
-
Maintaining
Balance in a Kitchen
for EveryoneThe law of balance is hidden in the origin story of Black Metal. Through our consumer
research, we discovered that all users have specific preferences for color and material
based on their unique lifestyles. When considering the multitude of different kitchen
interiors born from different tastes, the material for a kitchen appliance should easily
blend with its surroundings rather than leaning to a certain extreme. The kitchen is
not only a personal space, but can also be a public space that is shared with family
and friends. ‘Black Metal’ was the answer to our search for a material that can both
harmonize with anything and create an attractive space. -
Expressing Premium
through Black
You won’t find two identical shades of black anywhere in the world.
The degree of shade and variations in texture produce a wide array
of black. We experimented with the color black by mixing in different
hues and finally produced a color that is not 100% black, but rather
a special kind of black that encompasses many different colors.We gave this color a premium touch through hairlines and glossiness
that magnify a metallic texture. On top of that, we applied ultrafine
particle ink and fingerprint resistant coating to Black Metal for
preventing excessive fingerprint residue and securing a surface
that can easily wipe off any prints. -
Interior Mood Proposed by
an Amiable Color, BlackThe kitchen is a space that contains many different materials such
as wood, marble, glass, fabric, and more. We hoped that Black Metal
would embrace these materials and serve as a mediator that brings
balance to the different elements. Black Metal exudes an aura of
warmth and frigidity at the same time, and can accept any material
without resistance. It dissolves into the space and acts as a background
and pivotal point for the kitchen.
Creating
a New Identity
for Home
Appliances
The Samsung Electronics Home Appliance series that utilizes Black Metal is
continuously upgrading. We contemplate day and night to elevate the level
of design perfection whenever a new line of products launches.
The first in the series, the Free Standing Line, implemented a glossy black to
the appliances and established a premium identity that is unique to Samsung.
The following series was the Built-in Premium Plus Line, which was the first
built-in series that was released since Samsung’s expansion into the North
American market, and its glossless matte black emphasized a solid and composed
impression. With the success of its predecessors, the luxurious built-in brand
Dacor’s Modernist Line further accentuated the beauty and depth of metal using
an electro-deposition method that created a clearer hairline.
Our relentless pursuit for perfecting materials led to product advancement,
and as a result, the Black Metal series is paving a path starting from North
America, Europe to now both domestic and global markets to spearhead
the creation of a new category of Black Metal Appliances.
Profound Empathy Creates Prestige
The essence of design is about deeply empathizing with a user’s lifestyle.
Black Metal was a direct consequence of our efforts to understand users.
The very act of analyzing users’ environments and lifestyles to actualize
the most appropriate materials for their lives is, and will always be,
Samsung Electronics’ ideal approach and state-of-mind for CMF Design.
