Category — Design

Shiro is a hair salon in Fukui, Japan by architects 1980/Takuya Hosokai + Hiromasa Mori.

I love this design. Apart from its simple, eye-catching looks, the whole concept says ‘sharp‘ in all respects. Great outlines, unusual angles with a little tension, and ’sharp’ is sure to add meaning to their hair dressing services!

Shiro - seen on DeZeen

Technorati Tags: architecture, design, Fukui, hair salon, Hiromasa Mori, interiors, Japan, Shiro, Takuya Hosokai

A lovely and whimsically designed sake bottle from a brewery in Fushimi…

From Kyoto Foodie

Via Liqurious

Technorati Tags: design, Fushimi, Japan, sake bottle

Japanese pop culture themed Hotel Tomo is one of LostAtEMinor’s seven coolest and most individual themed hotels from around the world!

Hotel Tomo is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown and is uniquely themed around Japanese pop culture.

Anime murals and other related art work are just the tip of this theme’s iceberg. The real reason that people love this theme hotel is because there are gaming suites that let adults plop into bean bag chairs and play video games as though they’re just kids hanging out in Tokyo.

The on-site Kabuki Springs Spa gives a little bit of a luxury adult edge to the hotel and reminds visitors that it’s a great place for grown-ups.

Read more on LostAtEMinor

Technorati Tags: anime, architecture, Asian American, design, Hotel Tomo, interiors, Japanese, Japantown, pop culture, Kabuki Springs Spa, San Francisco

The devastating earthquake in the Sichuan province of China resulted in unimaginable tragedy and destruction. 

Anyone would rather these events didn’t happen, but at the same time, they bring together societies with the common aid of charity.

Several toy companies and artists have put together charity projects to lend much needed assistance to the recovery effort.

adFunture has partnered with seven designer brands - DITA Eyewear, Staple Design, Suitman, Revelator, Black Cross, GUE and Puma, on this special 10″ charity panda Yoka (the first ever). 

It will be offered on June 12th, 2008 with all proceeds going to the Red Cross Society of China.

More info via VinylPulse.com

Technorati Tags: designer toy scene, designer toys, earthquake, panda, Yoka, Sichuan province of China

If you like all manner of good quality and unique stationary, you might like Hong Kong based Patrick Ng’s blog.

Titled Scription, he writes “thoughts on stationary and beyond” and puts together blog posts with ideas, news and great photos of his stuff and what he creates, stationary-wise.

It probably helps that he works for stationary provider City’Super in Hong Kong, but then he does have a good sense of taste in his choice of leather, wood materials and traditional hand printing techniques.

Of course, there is also the Moleskine..

Check out Scription!

Technorati Tags: City’Super, design, Hong Kong, Moleskine, Patrick Ng, Scription, thoughts on stationary and beyond

I’ve just come back from the opening reception of the Creative Hong Kong in London exhibition.

This event was hosted by the Design Museum as part of the “Lates” festival of after-hours art and culture in London and was attended by some of the featured designers from Hong Kong.

If you get a chance to drop by, its well worth a visit to dip into what’s going on across the different fields of design in Hong Kong. You have to be quick - its only on until 12th June, 2008…

See and read more below…

Technorati Tags: Creative Hong Kong in London, design, Design Museum, Hong Kong, Hong Kong creativity, Hong Kong Design Centre

[Read more →]

Here’s a neon-retro Shanghai restaurant sign. There should be more of these!

More neon signs on Flickr

Technorati Tags: design, neon sign, restaurant, Shanghai

Fiona Hewitt, who specialises in illustration inspired by decorative, retro Chinese designs, has a striking range of retro products such as a baking kit, a first aid tin, bags and mugs.

All are designed and illustrated with her distinctive style and available from her website to buy.

Chinese, Retro products on Dumpling Dynasty

Incidently, I came across her products in London’s Liberty store who are hosting a whole range of products and ideas to tie in with the China Design Now exhibition at the V&A.

Technorati Tags: design, Dumpling Dynasty, Fiona Hewitt, United Kingdom