design


February 13, 2009

Imagine This: 1932 Jean-Paul Gaultier Evian

by Yoko Kumano

My bonus saw a drastic cut for December 2008, and less business men are taking taxis clear across Tokyo on company tab. But yesterday I was reminded that the Japanese aren’t taking the financial crisis that seriously. I knew this was so when I saw Jean-Paul Gaultier Evian water at my local supermarket. I will […]

September 10, 2008

Botanica: A Dapper Cocktail in Red Hook (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Zipped into Red Hook last weekend with Matt, Sepi and Amira for a little Fairway getaway. We stopped into a chic new bar, Botanica, which opened just a month or so ago. The day has finally arrived when you can get a fancy cocktail in Red Hook- there’s no turning back now! (Red Hook is […]

March 21, 2007

Whole Foods NYC Embraces Technology

by Kayoko Akabori

when i got into the hideously long express line at Whole Foods in Union Square yesterday, i heard a robotic woman’s voice coming from above, rattling off numbers. a screen hung overhead, and the voice called out the random numbers “19…12…10…15” while simultaneously, these same numbers dropped down on the screen. i was taken aback […]

March 7, 2007

Eggs+Rice+Ketchup= A Mouse Cover

by Kayoko Akabori

Only the Japanese… thanks Matt for this.

Mr. Donut Desktop

by Yoko Kumano

The new ad campaign for Mr. Donut’s Honey Dipped donuts hit the walls of the Ginza Subway line this week. I am always in awe of their design team. For this campaign, they use the acronym UFO, in this case, for Usomitai ni Fuwafuwa no Oishisa (unbelievably delicious pillowy softness). I can’t seem to find […]

March 4, 2007

Itoen Jasmine Tea

by Yoko Kumano

It seems that every week, there’s a new drink which quietly sneaks up on you by simply showing up, unannounced, in your local vending machine. Japan is a culture of vending machine drinks. Apparently there’s one vending machine for every four people. So, keeping these machines profitable – means lots and lots of drinks – […]