Panasonic has set up a development base "Panasonic Design Kyoto" near Shijo Subway Station in Kyoto City, in cooperation with Kyoto University, to utilize the knowledge of architecture and psychology in the design of home appliances.150 designers from Panasonic's home appliances department will gather to undertake the design of home appliances for domestic and overseas markets.
According to Panasonic, designers have been dispersed in Osaka Prefecture, where Panasonic's head office is located, and in Shiga Prefecture, where the in-house company "Appliance" in the consumer electronics division is based.Of the approximately 200 designers from Japan and overseas, 150 have gathered at the new development base since April to consider designs for a new era.
Furthermore, using the name of Kyoto, which is gaining popularity around the world, as a weapon, we will also focus on hiring designers with overseas abilities.
Kyoto University is working to establish "design studies" and solve social issues, centered on the Graduate School of Informatics, Engineering, and Education, and the Graduate School of Management.From time to time, we hold workshops with Panasonic designers to give suggestions for new home appliance products and new design development.
Since 2015, Panasonic has been developing home appliances in collaboration with traditional craftsmen in Kyoto City.A brass speaker with the image of a tea canister born from this initiative will be released in the spring of 2019.In the future, I hope that unique new products will be created that make use of the knowledge of Kyoto University.
