LG Designs Future in Product Appeal

LG Electronics cashed in big around the world with its popular design-oriented Chocolate and Shine phones.

Now LG Group's chairman is looking to replicate the phones' success - and he's put up the cash to make it happen.

Chairman Koo Bon-moo has decided to invest 100 billion won this year into upgrading the overall design of LG products.

In addition, Koo announced that the company will add about 700 designers to its workforce in a meeting with 20 key company officials.

"LG earned more than 80 design-related awards last year, compared to 58 in 2006," an LG official said.

"Companies no longer compete over price, quality and technology.

Design makes you a global leader.

After all, most people think quality and design go hand-in-hand."