 |
Wednesday, 14 June 2006 | Levent OZLER
Nokia Collaborates with CSM to Design the Future of Mobile
Nokia revealed the result of its recent collaboration with Central Saint Martins (CSM) College of Art and Design at the Future of Mobile Design exhibition.
For six months 25 Industrial Design MA students from London's CSM College of Art and Design have been working to a broad brief set by Nokia's design team to create concepts for a premium but mass market mobile communications device capable of providing 4 or 5G multimedia services up to the year 2015.
Hello! by Sungjoo Kim
The students worked for a cash prize and more importantly, for the chance to work side-by-side with Nokia's design team during a summer placement at the Nokia design studios near London. The winning design was also made into a Nokia made dummy handset for the specially-hosted exhibition in London's Air Gallery this week.
Exceeding all expectations, the results proved to be both varied and thought-provoking. Although technology was a primary focus, students followed unique routes. They placed emphasis on everything from the use of senses as yet untapped by phones, through to areas of growing significance such as biodegradability, sustainability, customization, social capital and surveillance.
Nicola Reed
Anthony Dalby, Director - Nokia Design said "The project work we reviewed showed depth as well as breadth of understanding. It was clear they had discussed the issues together but still managed to explore and deliver a diversity of ideas and observations. It was the exploration of these observations that was most rewarding and exceeded our expectations."
According to Ben Hughes, Course Director, Central St Martins, "The various approaches reflect the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the designers taking part in this project. Twelve countries were represented and each student had a different background ranging from genetic engineering and architecture to fine art."
The students have been given real insight into the many considerations that are associated with mobile phone design. These include lectures throughout the project from experts in design trends, technology and manufacturing and advice from industrial design and technology expert Mike Woods from London-based agency Tangerine.
Nokia 111 by Daniel Meyer
From the two dozen entries submitted Nokia chose Daniel Meyer's design - a mobile device inspired both by the advent of video calling and the traditional practice of carrying pictures of friends or family members with you.
The handset is designed to sit as a picture frame wherever the user is, serving the dual purpose of communications device and a comforting familiar focal point; at home, at work or in a hotel while away on business.
Scentsory by Kimberly Hu
Asked about the project, Daniel Meyer said "The brief was a great challenge, especially because we had to consider social trends and technological changes.
"Winning the Nokia competition was one of the happiest moments in my design career to date. I'm looking forward to the placement with Nokia, I am thrilled to get to work with the creators of a market leading series of products and hope that I can help to make mobile communication as human as possible."
The Future of Mobile Design exhibition will run from 13th - 16th June 2006 at the Air Gallery, Dover Street, London W1S, open daily from 10am until 6pm.
Entry is free.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Nokia or Central St Martins please call:
Sophie Heximer/Gavin Spicer - GBC
Tel: 020 8322 1922 or Email: nokiacorp  gbc.co.uk
About MA Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins
MA Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins is about the predicting, challenging and shaping of the future of the discipline through diverse, collaborative and personal research-based projects. We are interested in the questions and issues that affect design and industrial manufacture, trends in marketing and consumption, the relationship between individuals and their material environment and the ethical implications of all of these. Projects tend to cross boundaries and frequently incorporate areas such as product, lighting, furniture and interaction, as we all ponder the question of what it means to be an industrial designer in a post-industrial age.
For further information about the course or the College, please visit:
http://www.maindustrialdesign.com
http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk
|
|
|
