IBM launches new design expertise centre in ME
DUBAI, February 17, 2016
IBM has launched IBM Studio - Dubai, a new centre of experience design and digital expertise to help clients transform.
The Studio extends the footprint of IBM Interactive Experience, blending experience design with the full spectrum of business transformation capabilities, from industry and strategy consulting through systems integration.
The IBM Studio - Dubai was inaugurated by Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai.
“Today’s most successful companies have design embedded in their DNA. Dubai is one of the most creative and vibrant cities in the world, with a leading digital economy," said Al Shaibani.
"We believe that good quality design improves people’s lives and creates value for businesses. We support and encourage companies such as IBM that recognise and value the importance of design, bringing it into the heart of what they do,” he said.
Located in the Dubai Design District, the studio will serve as a hub for IBM Design in the Middle East and will host local teams from IBM Interactive Experience (IBMiX), the world's largest digital agency according to Advertising Age.
IBMiX clients from all industries, such as automotive, financial services, government, healthcare, telecommunications and retail, will be able to work side-by-side with IBM consultants and experience design experts to analyze business challenges and develop solutions grounded in more personalised, individualised digital experiences.
IBMiX's global client roster includes Nationwide, Jaguar Land Rover, Citibank and the Atlanta Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.
IBMiX, recently announced its intent to acquire Ecx.io, a design agency based out of Dusseldorf, Germany, Resource/Ammirati, a US-based digital marketing and creative agency, and Aperto, a digital agency with headquarters in Berlin.
IBM's studio in Dubai will join the growing network of more than 20 IBM Studios in locations including Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Groningen, Melbourne, Mexico City, Hursley, London, New York, Dallas, Sao Paolo, Madrid and Shanghai.
Mohammed AlZaffin, IT director, Dubai Municipality, said: "Creating customer experiences for Dubai citizens, business customers and our own employees that are meaningful and consistent across digital and physical channels is at the top of our business agenda.
“We have partnered with IBM to help us deliver these experiences with solutions that are designed for the users and meet their needs."
IBM Design applies the principles of IBM Design Thinking, which takes a rapid prototyping approach to user-centric product development, as well as IBM Design Language, a framework to inspire bold and engaging experiences.
IBM Studio - Dubai is a further investment in IBM’s worldwide design capability, creating spaces globally where product development, experience design, consulting, brand experience and marketing coexist to maximise collaboration and value for IBM clients. - TradeArabia News Service
