Not only do we spend hours between us getting ready everyday, our mobile phones too get that daily makeover. There is such a huge market for mobile accessories, that companies make it possible to personalise every element of your phone.

Mobile accessories include covers and faceplates, these being the actual cases of the phone. They come in various colours with different available designs, pictures etc. Mobile keypads too can be altered. They are ideal to protect the buttons on your phone from constant “texting fingers”.

It isn’t only the looks of your mobile, which are crucial; it is also the sound of it when you receive a call. Ringtones are by far the most popular accessory to add to your mobile. The ringtone industry is just as large as the actual mobile industry. There are risks when choosing ringtones, once you sign up to download be careful to unsubscribe if you do not want any more downloads to be sent to your phone, as many are caught out by this money making scheme. Apart from this risk, ringtones are a fun and good way of personalising your phone.

Once you have created your Van Gogh of a mobile, you will want to have it out on display; this can be done by using a holder case, which can be attached to various objects such as, bags, belts etc, making your phone visible and easy to access at all times.

The rise of customising phones is related to buyer’s aspiration to be unrelated to others. In China, where mobile phones are widely used, it is possible to see phones worn on the wrist in handmade cases, or covered in stickers of there favourite pop stars and various smiley faces. Whilst in Japan, the universal Hello Kitty hangs from every student’s phone. These little artistic embellishments are planned to expose something about the owner of the phone. Anna Sui states “Mobiles have become a ubiquitous accessory– every woman has a mobile phone by her side. I wanted to create one that makes a statement with a signature look”. A prime example of a designers name influencing the value of an object. It converts it from being a high-tech invention to a designer accessory.

It is not a surprise that engineers like Bill Schweber are wondering who stole their credit. “Engineers do design…by…. pulling together ICs and software….. Then a celebrity comes along and takes all this hard work, puts on a new case or shell – perhaps studded with crystals or glitter – and takes the bulk of the credit. Once again, engineers do the work and don’t get the appreciation.” Is it really our own personal preferences or are we influenced by celebrities?

So is personalising your mobile with accessories a “must do”? It depends on your desires to be an individual. If you are an individualist then maybe this is the path you will take, whilst if you are happy to blend in with others maybe accessories are not a “must have” on the shopping list.