LG opens London design studio

The London centre will produce LG’s first European-designed mobile handset in August, though the head of its design team has yet to be revealed.

Following a closed ceremony earlier today, attended by The Duke of York and LG’s investment partner Think London, the electronics group released its first formal briefing to the press. The centre has been kept closely under wraps, after Design Week first disclosed plans to open the London base last year.

LG says it is aiming to house a team of 22 international ‘expert’ designers in London by 2009.

The design team will be charged with creating consumer goods for the European market – both new products and designs adapted from its other five design centres overseas.

An initial slew of products, including mobile handsets, TVs, audio systems, white goods and home electronics equipment, has been earmarked for production by the London team.

LG Electronics Europe president James Kim says, ‘For LG to grow its market presence in Europe it must invest in and be sensitive to the consumer’s requirements, while responding to technical and cultural differences.’

As anticipated, LG has closed its Milan studio to accommodate the new London base, which formally replaces it as the group’s European Design Centre. LG says everyone in its Italy-based team was offered an opportunity to relocate.