ICT company Huawei has opened its first global research centre focused on innovation in aesthetics and design, as part of a $600m, five-year investment plan in France.
The Paris Aesthetics Research Center has been created to bring creative ideas to Huawei products, which include watches and mobile phones, and integrate emerging technologies with aesthetics.
The centre has already contributed to the design of Huawei’s second-generation fitness band, the TalkBand B2, which was released last week at Mobile World Congress.
The centre is the second investment into the French Design community following the recent partnership with the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle (ENSCI), a leading design school in Paris.
Huawei chief executive Ken Hu said: “Paris is a global hub for fashion and arts, and now the city’s creative resources can be applied to Huawei products worldwide. That makes France a vital part of our global innovation.”
The Paris Aesthetics Center is staffed by 10 designers specializing in luxury design, fashion, automotive, 3D, digital, and brand strategy. French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, will serve as chief designer.
