Greatest ever design
The Honda Cub is not just the greatest bike. I think it’s the greatest design ever. People in many countries around the world could transport for the first time. It’s the most made vehicle ever – 60 million, and the design is same for 50 years. You can’t break it. Even you push it off a building.Read the rest of this article
Nagasaki Ceramics
New style ceramics design by traditional ceramic firm: Hasami, in Nagasaki. They are trying top produce new shapes but without forgetting the craftsmanship spirit.
波佐見焼き。伝統を受け継ぎながらも新しい形をデザインしている。色、形、どれをとってもともキレイ。（PingMag）Read the rest of this article
Yale Lock
You never have problems with the Yale pin-tumbler cylinder lock.
Unlike the electronic locks that tend to not work or the numerous attempts in redesigning keys, the traditional Yale key still stands as the best, unless you go mislaying it somewhere.
(viza za zamani ni nzuri kuliko viza za sukuizi) Kifuli na kifunguo cha zamani ni bora kuliko cha sukuizi. kizuri kina jiuza na kibaya…Read the rest of this article
The Canon A-1 Camera
A cool article about Canon A-1. My all time favourite camera
One of those classical designs where you find yourself saying “I’ve had this for fifteen years and its never let me down.”
１５年以上たっても、一度も壊れたことがない。そういうデザインがクラシックのデザインのひとつ。
ni hiyo rasimu ya zamani ile una sema kwa munyewe ” nime kuwa…Read the rest of this article
Swiss Army Knife
An article on a design truly worth having, the swiss army knife.
does it get better than this? truly the most finest satisfying everyday design you can come across. Its got as many tools like scissors, bottle openers, knifes and even toothpicks. Its not just a lifesaver but a lot of fun to…Read the rest of this article
A cool toy
Pennsylvania has an official state toy!? This one walks down stairs. Can you guess what it is?Read the rest of this article
Kitsch or Kool
The bright side of neon colors the night.Read the rest of this article
IKEA’s Philosophy
Speaking of “IKEA”, what does that you remind of? This is the general image that is a huge North European home furnishing store that sells reasonable and sophisticated designed furniture, and the image that many people hold would be that logo and large building colored only blue and yellow. The company has been using the colors to get publicity for their identity because the…Read the rest of this article
Pizza Hut
The shop story began in 1958; it is located in Kansas at the Wichita State University Campus. The shop was founded by Frank and Dan Carney, 2 brothers who studied at the university. They borrowed $600 from their mother and opened the small pizza shop. The shop is still functional in Wichita, Kansas. The first pizza shop roof was red and symmetrical. The small shop has a small signboard, so they…Read the rest of this article
Jiyu-Gakuen
Frank Lloyd Wright is a world famous American architect in 20th century who designed more than 1,000 works. His most famous works are Fallingwater and the Guggenheim museum in New York. He is called one of the three great master of modern construction only with Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. His works are in USA, Canada and Japan only in the world. In Japan, the most famous of his works is…Read the rest of this article
MAJOLICA MAJORCA
MAJOLICA MAJORCA is one of the brands in Shisendo that is a big cosmetic company in Japan. Shiseido has some different cosmetic brands; maquillage and MK2 so on. This company’s target is mainly over 20 year olds so the price is a little expensive for teenagers. According to the research, they want to get good and cute things which they can proud of them without money. It used to make “ff”…Read the rest of this article
Package of POM Wonderful!
BlendsLogosDesign AnalysisThe POM juice container is made of plastic, and the POM Tea package is made of glass. Both are very distinctive by shape, material, and also function. The shape of the plastic bottle is in 2 round bubbles, which imitate and represent the pomegranate. It differentiates the 5 kinds of taste according to lid’s color. The glass package is a long cylinder with lid. It looks…Read the rest of this article
Bihada-Ichizoku
Bihada-Ichizoku is a cosmetic line becoming popular among young females. The name of the product ‘Bihada-Ichizoku’ means family with beautiful skin in Japanese. As we see from the images, the graphic on the package is very animated. Indeed, they created characters and each character on a package represents the characteristic of each product. The main product they sell is a facial mask…Read the rest of this article
A Design Style of Zak Kyes
History / Background
Born in California, living in London, Zak Kyes is a Swiss-American graphic designer. A graduate from Business & Art History of Skidmore College in NY, he went on to Hochschule fur Gestaltung and Kunst in Switzerland. Moreover he started studying graphic design at CalArts in LA (The picture on the top is one of his works for the school.) and became the first recipient of…Read the rest of this article
Corporate Identity; Muji
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd, also known as Muji is a popular Japanese retail company. Muji is short for Mujirushi Ryohin and the meaning is “no brand with good quality” in Japanese. The company is distinguished by not having a printed label on their products. The philosophy can be found in simple packaging, use of organic colors and functionality of their products. The first slogan of the…Read the rest of this article
Starbucks Corporate Identity
Starbucks is a Coffee house chain. It was founded in 1971 in Seattle, United States. The name of the company is from the combination of the name of mountain that is in Seattle and the name of a mate in “Moby-Dick” written by Herman Melville. The philosophy is to make a comfortable place for employees and consumers and provide first-class service and coffee. They have not changed so much…Read the rest of this article
The Brand Identity of UNIQLO
Uniqlo was born in 1984 in Hiroshima. It was an unisex casual wear store, and the name was “Uniqle Clothing Warehouse” at that moment. Uniqlo is a combination of the words Unique and Clothing. The brand belongs to a company named First Retailing Co. A decade after opening the first shop, there were over 100 Uniqlo stores throughout Japan. The key of their popularization was the products were…Read the rest of this article
Students Attitudes to Surroundings in the US & Japan
If anyone who is Japanese is given a chance to go to Parsons, the school of design in NY, he would notice the drawings on the wall or other playful works in hallways such as stickers on the floor stand out. Surely, that’s what people don’t see at schools in Japan. The fact probably makes many people notice that student’s behavior toward the environment is different in each country and…Read the rest of this article
Diller and Scofidio
I will focus my topic by examining about how architecture can be successful to combining different ideas. This architecture is Diller and Scofidio’s works and it is for the Eyebeam Museum. I am interested in the model which has unusual structure and concept because the museum is for art and technology. This architecture is not realized yet. There is difference between art and technology…Read the rest of this article
Design for Smoking
Designing a package or a product related to smoking is getting more difficult and important especially today.
Governments in many countries manage to reduce the number of smokers by restricting a visual advertisement of tobacco. For example, a tobacco package should have “Health Warning” by words or pictures. For example, the package in EU countries must be labeled with both…Read the rest of this article
Keeping a Balance
People want new sight but also keep traditional buildings in their city. How do architects solve this problem? There is a good example in N.Y. It is the store of COMME des GARÇONS built by Future Systems in 1998. The Chelsea area where the store is located is surrounded by many galleries.
They didn’t destroy the exterior of the old building and utilize it to the store effectively. Its…Read the rest of this article
Cultural Differences?
In the USA, the packages are very colorful. Almost all packages seem that they were made under the concept of playfulness. When I took a look at pharmacy, variety store, supermarket, the displays were filled with rainbows. I observed the products and I liked the shampoo packages for kids. It was colorful, and the shape of the container was designed uniquely and playfully. On the label, there…Read the rest of this article
Two Aspects of Product
There are products that have either aspect of the art piece or the designed one. Although the making process is quite similar there is definite difference between them. An art piece as a product has unique shape, strong visual impact, and deeper concept beyond a piece. Artists think more about how their works could follow the inspiration and speak by itself. On the other hand designers think more…Read the rest of this article
Green in NY
NY City. It’s the urban environment that is not quiet everyday, but it is strongly connected with nature.
When I went through a park, which is located in the town, I found a squirrel inside of the park. He wasn’t afraid of people, and he was watching us. This park isn’t located in nature, but the squirrel was enjoying himself in the park. Also dogs, which are kept…Read the rest of this article
Character Design in Japan
Ayuko Watanabe
Design can tell us a lot about the country of their origin. You can learn especially from elements such as colour, shape and material because these elements are so fundamental and tend to show the source of inspiration. Even if you observe just one particular category of design you can see elements of the country’s characteristic. Character design with its huge market in…Read the rest of this article
Can We Get New Color in Japan?
Recently I chose a table cloth for my room, and I picked up one made in Sweden. Its beautiful color attracted me, and I thought, “Why don’t we make this color in Japan?” I discovered although color is defined by the geography and culture, it is also defined industry. Color is strongly affected by light including sunlight and doesn’t exist by itself without light. Countries located…Read the rest of this article
The True Role of Design
Designs is everywhere we live. However, people usually think of design as just the look and appearance of an object. However, in reality although it is an important part of design to make things look nice, there’re many other element to design. This article with look at “Cheetah” with its black steel body, comfortable sheet and three wheels. People call it a wheelchair, but it’s very far…Read the rest of this article
UNIQLO
Uniqlo is the one of the famous brand in Japan. there are many kind of size, color and cothes. So, you can choose and buy things that fit with your sensibility. This style became of established after the consideration of brand. It is successful is the low price and high quality. Before it became popular, everyone thought such prices were impossible. But by making cloth in China costs were…Read the rest of this article
Changing and Unchanging in Scandinavia
What do you think of when you hear the word “Scandinavian Design”? The answer of this question is increasing in variation now because of the distinguishing progress of the design. Today we can see both classic design and contemporary design at the same time, and feel differences and similarities between them. One example of the classic design is “Teak Bowls” that was designed by…Read the rest of this article
Mass or Small
1950’s people were tired because the war had just recently finished. At the same time, a lot of products started to appear be imported such as a television, a refrigerator and a car. Those products are pop icon for the people. But almost all people were poor, and didn’t have enough money to pay their hobby and things other than in living, so they had no extra money. A few rich people could…Read the rest of this article
For Flowers
Here are 2 vases made by Finnish designers and they have something in common and something distinguishing. In 2003(Finland was No.1 of the International Economic Competitive Power), Anu Pettinen designed the vase named “wire frame”. It’s made of glass. There is black tile texture on the translucent white surface. The shape of each tiles are all different but they are soft and all corner are…Read the rest of this article
Scandinavian Chair Design
It’s dazzling in the improvement of North Euro design today, there are some of differences when throw a new loot at the Scandinavia’s classic design and contemporary design. Also we can see in the furniture design, Pastil Chair by Eero Arnio and Rex stool was coming in late years.
First, comparing the Pastil Chair which released in 1968 and Rex stool with materials, Pastil Chair is made of…Read the rest of this article
Comparing the Desk Lamp
Alvar Aalto was one of the predecessors of Finnish product and architectural design who had a career in the early to middle 20th century. The desk light he designed shows its obvious function by itself. I can easily recognize it is a desk light with the size, height and characteristic lampshade. It is made of cloth, plastic and wood and the contrast between the white body and brown stand gives a…Read the rest of this article
Finnish Contrast
Finnish design is changing gradually, there are contrast and similarity between classic and contemporary Finnish design. I chose one example from each age, such a classic one is Pendant Lamp, contemporary one is Block Lamp, then compare about those two designs. First Pendant Lamp, which is designed by Alvar Aalto in 1954, shape likes wine glass, its constructed by beautiful curve lines…Read the rest of this article
Finnish Kitchenware
In the kitchen, during the meal, kitchenware is very essential. “Creamer” is traditional kitchenware designed by Kaj Franck, who was a famous designer in 1948. A contemporary product, “VENETSIA” is a platter and tray. Kati Tuominen-Niittyllä who was one of Finland’s most successful ceramics artists in 1991 designed it. Similarities of the two products are material and color. Using…Read the rest of this article
Pendant & Anemone Lamps
The Pendant lamp was designed by Lisa Johansson in 1947, and after 56 years ago, Anemone lamp that was designed by Perhonen appeared in 2003. Both lamps have a style that is hanging from the ceiling, but the shapes are very different. The pendant lamp’s shape is simple and the shape has a gradual round like a pear. On the other hand, Anemone lamp was rolling a thin cloth of lace on the…Read the rest of this article
Finnish Dishes
I compared Hors d’oeuvre and Tuisku bowl that are both dishes but they are from different generation. Kaj Franck designed Hors d’oeuvre in 1957 and Petri Vaino designed Tuisku bowl in 2003.
The Generation is different, but a dish is a dish so they have similarities. First of all, function is the same as they can arrange the food. Second, economical design is best because one has to think…Read the rest of this article
Traditional & Contemporary Design in Finland
Finnish has been expressed their identity through design till today. That’s why Finnish design is unique and remarkable. There are two designs, the one is the traditional tumbler designed by Kaj Frank, and the other is the contemporary light designed by Harri Koskinen. Traditional tumbler called “Kartio” that was born in 1958. It is made of thin glass with no plum bum. This very simple…Read the rest of this article
Harri Koskinen and Oiva Toikka
Candle and Lantern are the most important things for scarce house long time ago in Finland. The candlelight makes feel soften refuge from cold. Climate also has contributed to the importance of design to the Finland.
Harri Koskinen was born in Finland at 1970. His innovative works has received worldwide and also he and young designers willing to make better with tradition who are…Read the rest of this article
Aesthetic Finnish Glass Products
Alvar Aalto and Harri Koskinen, are important Finnish designers, live in different period, create 3-dimentional products. However there are some similarities within their typical glass products that are Savoy vase and Block Lamp, which belong to the best-known classic and contemporary Finnish design.
Savoy vase is a classic product, which was made by Alvar Aalto in 1937 for the…Read the rest of this article
Rei Kawakubo
Japanese designers are getting famous in all over the world. Rei Kawakubo is one of them. She is a one of fashion designer of Comme des Garcons. Her design is very unique. Some of them has big holes and feared. In 1983, She proposed some unfinished clothes. Its estimation was separated. Some people said they were very important and value. But, some people were shocked, and said, “Swiss cheese…Read the rest of this article
About MUJI
About MUJI
Why MUJI is popular?
Do you know MUJI?
Do you like MUJI?
Now MUJI is one of the most popular Japanese brands in the world.
MUJI sale various goods; product, textile, furniture, fabric, house wear, stationery, electronics, etc…
History
MUJI has started for private label of SEIYU since 1980.
1989 MUJI depend on SEIYU.
Shopping
Now MUJI extend one’s business into new…Read the rest of this article
The Power of Utopian Imagination
What is the utopia? The answer will depend on personal opinions. In 1960s, one architecture group introduced their ideas for the ideal city in very strong and effective way. The name of group is Archigram. Who is Archigram? Archigram was a British architectural group that was composed 6 members mainly, Peter Cook, Warren Chalk, Ron Herron, Dennis Crompton, Michael Webb and David Greene. What…Read the rest of this article
A Developing Utopia
Harima Chemical-park Town is a quite new town that was established in 1997. The concept of the town is that to create a city that is rich in nature and technology sources. It is located in Hyogo-prefecture, Japan. The population of the town is about 5100. Urban Design Plan Harima chemical park town has been designed under the project, called Urban Design plan. It involves 3 Japanese…Read the rest of this article
You Can Have Childhood Again
There are two types of a grater here. The left one is one we are familiar with. The left one is by “Pylones”.Pylones is a sundry goods brand founded in Paris in 1985. Now they have many shops in the US, UK, German, Italy etc… Both graters have a same function. But Pylones’ grater is so colorful. And it has a lot of decorations besides the function. Colorful, funny and cute decoration…Read the rest of this article
Tree House
What is Tree House
Do you know “tree house “? “Tree house” is a house like a secret base which was built on the tree. Have you ever longed like the house? “Tree house” recalls child hood and it gives a dream. The house is coexisting with the tree and the nature world. What kind of people built the house in what thought.
Prince of building of Tree House…Read the rest of this article
Sex Appeal Ads Think Up Inferiority Complex
The fashion brands Prada and Calvin Klein suggested simple, original and reserve expression for advertisements that attract and incentive for my inferiority complex. So many people check fashion magazine out to follow the trend, also to find better looks or beautiful things. People care about trend, also scare about old looks. It seems we change to current trend to dissolve the complex. The…Read the rest of this article
Journey to a Secondhand Clothing Store
•WHAT’S SECOND HAND CLOTHING STORE? Second hand clothing store mean “Furugiya” in Japanese. Customer from all over the world imports old clothes. Japan imports almost all old clothes from the United States. Most popular old clothes are jeans. Jeans have big difference in prices. For example, the cheapest jeans are a hundred yen. But, most expensive jeans are more than one million…Read the rest of this article