Muji

What's so great about design is that it transcends genre. Everyone can appreciate good design and that's exactly what we strive to do here. Muji is a Japanese based store that has recently opened/will open two NYC American flagship stores. Their everyday products feature simple, yet innovative designs, something that the Japanese are known for although the opposite is also true. I meant to go check out the Soho location last semester but unfortunately, I never got around to it. I fully intend on remedying that in the Fall. Like us, they also appreciate design and as a result, they have a yearly design competition. The contest is international but judging from past winners, I guess most entries come from Asia.



Last year's winning product was a gridded towel. I don't know how else to explain it but that's what the above picture is of. It fit in perfectly with the theme of the competition which was "Re." The towel is easily marked so that it could be cut after being used so that it could also be a floor mat, washcloth, or anything of that nature. This design is so simple and obvious yet no one had produced towels like this. This year's theme is "Found" and they're taking entries until the end of July. Even if you have no intention of entering, checking out winning designs of the past is always fun.