HTC has received a lot of good press this year with the release of their new line of Windows Mobile phones, all based on the HTC touch Diamond. What’s the best way to repeat the same success with future handsets? Simple, just buy the design firm that designed the HTC Diamond’s facetted design. HTC is hoping that this new move will allow the ONE & CO team to "have the opportunity to work hands on with development of HTC’s upcoming mobile devices while remaining a consultancy. " ONE & CO has a great history of designing innovative products for the likes of Microsoft, SONY, Gateway, Nike, and other top electronics firms.
With ONE & CO working side by side with HTC on future handsets, we can expect to see some amazing designs in the coming years. Lets just hope that HTC uses ONE & CO’s talents to bring a fresh new design to HTC’s Android powered handsets some time soon.
I’ve posted the full press release after the break. Be sure to check it out.
Today HTC is announcing the acquisition of the San Francisco based firm One & Company Design, Inc. (One & Co) furthering HTC’s leadership in design and innovation. First collaborating in 2006, HTC and One & Co introduced the iconic design of the HTC Touch Diamond. By cementing this strategic partnership, HTC’s world class product development will be further enhanced by creating one of the most advanced mobile design teams in the world.
This is an exciting time for HTC and their worldwide design team. With this partnership comes a new collaboration model allowing an unprecedented flow of ideas. One & Co’s team will have the opportunity to work hands on with development of HTC’s upcoming mobile devices while remaining a consultancy. In turn, HTC’s designers have the chance to participate in a variety of consumer lifestyle projects with One & Co in addition to the mobile industry. This will allow each partner to pull from top talent around the globe to infuse fresh experiences into product innovation.
Best known for their lifestyle design expertise, One and Co brings award winning insight to some of the world’s top brands. The company is based in San Francisco and has worked with a number of top lifestyle companies, including HTC, Adidas, K2, Kensington, The North Face, Salomon, Sony, and others.
If you have any questions, would like to learn more about today’s announcement, or speak with an HTC and One & Co executive, please let me know.
Thanks!
HTC Bolsters Design Credibility With Addition of One & Co
Leader in lifestyle design will be cornerstone of HTC’s design capability and philosophy
while continuing as an innovative design consultancy
Taoyuan, Taiwan and SAN FRANCISCO, December 3, 2008 – Furthering its reputation as a global leader in mobile innovation and design, HTC Corporation today announced the continuation of its design focus with the acquisition of San Francisco-based lifestyle design firm One & Company Design, Inc. (One & Co). Recognized for its award-winning work with some of the world’s best known and most design-savvy lifestyle brands, One & Co will maintain its name and client base while it joins forces with HTC to create an unparalleled force in global mobile design.
“Design is key, it is why you love or hate something,” said Horace Luke, Chief Innovation Officer, HTC Corporation. “Integrating iconic design into HTC products is an inspiring and dynamic challenge that requires a unique combination of consumer insight, creativity, innovation and an appetite to take risks; attributes that embody One & Co.”
HTC and One & Co first began collaborating in 2006 on the initial incubation and creation of the HTC Touch Diamond, a highly touted phone with iconic design that blended unprecedented use of material and industrial design.
“One & Co is excited to bring our lifestyle, user focused approach to HTC and we look forward to creating iconic, compelling products together,” said Scott Croyle, partner of One & Co. “Knowing about HTC’s cutting edge technology and proven track record of innovation, we are excited to collaborate with HTC as a global lifestyle brand.”
In addition to its work with HTC, One & Co has broad design experience in a variety of industries that range from footwear, snowboarding and skiing, furniture, packaging, houseware, timepieces and more. One & Co has been recognized by the design and business communities by winning numerous BusinessWeek/IDSA IDEA Awards, the Good Design Awards, CES Innovation Awards, and ID Magazine awards.
About One & Co
Privately held, One & Co is an internationally recognized design leader that delivers design and engineering services to some of the world’s best known and most admired companies. With expertise in areas ranging from ethnographic research and design forecasting and manufacturing technologies, One & Co is committed to bring the highest level of creative talent to every endeavor and provide an unmatched attention to detail.
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) designs innovative, feature rich smartphones. Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art PDA Phones and smartphones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the US, and Asia. These machines are available as HTC devices and as products individually customized for operator and device partners.
HTC is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile device market. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.
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