Nokia opens its first design studio in India

Bangalore, Aug 1: Keeping in view the growing importance of India as a global design capital, Nokia today announced setting up of a satellite design studio here with a two year partnership with the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology.

Announcing this to newsmen Nokia Design Head of Insight and Innovation Hannu Nieminen said the Design Centre would give Nokia designers and India's talented youth the opportunity to work together on new design ideas for India and the global markets. This was the first in a series of satellite design studios planned by Nokia across the world. Selection of India as the first location signalled the increasing impact that India was having on the development of mobile phones worldwide, he added.

Replying to queries, he said the studio would explore a range of trends and themes including detailed research into color and material trends in India, mobile use of internet in India and its implications for design and examining innovative new features and uses for mobiles. It would also be a key destination for Nokia's global team to visit to share ideas and be inspired, he added.

Srishti School of Art Founder and Director Geetha Narayanan said Nokia's investment reflected the growing importance of India's designs and the wealth of new talent being developed here. The studio would give the talent for tomorrow the opportunity to work with experienced Nokia designers from around the world. The exposure to the world class designers in one of the fastest growing product category in the world would be a huge opportunity for the students in India, she felt adding that stress would be laid on interface designs to suit Indian languages.

UNI