Side Quest: Tokyo Design Week

Tokyo Design Week brings together the creative community to exhibit works of art, music, fashion, and of course design. Let’s check out what the professionals and students alike have to offer at this year’s event.

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Design Week takes place in Meijijingu Gaien, at the end of a promenade lined with Gingko trees.

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The entrance is easy to spot thanks to the giant banner out front.

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Architectural models present new design concepts.

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Other models just show an artist’s dream living space.

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Some concepts are more abstract than others.

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Plenty of interactive art installations on display, like this rainbow foil wall that acts as a giant soundboard. Visitors plays sounds using the large touchscreen controller in front of the wall.

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This exhibit interprets a person’s movements using RGB light bars that swivel back and forth. May have applications in the dance club industry.

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Plenty of lifestyle and interior design goodies on display as well. I want this cage of LED vintage bulbs.

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One company develops 3D-printed luxury shells for hermit crabs. For the classy crab who wants a miniature Tokyo or medieval castle for a home.

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Ping-pong paddle art shows the relationship between frogs and table tennis.

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In one of the annexes you can draw and color on special sheets of paper. Once finished, staff will scan your art and send it over to the projection board.

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Everyone’s art comes to life on the little city they created.

Design Week is an interesting mix of vendors and academia content. Although the venue is more low-key than expected, there is plenty of great stuff to see. Now if I could just get my hands on that cage light thing.