Virtual Design Tour Around the world

So often designers draw inspiration from their travels but as the unfortunate events involving COVID-19 took 2020 somewhere we never could have imagined, it was up to me to create a gentle nod to travel and find designers around the globe that would hopefully inspire everyone back home. This was a part of a larger series on Instagram that highlighted Japan and Mexico.

Copy: Introduction

“Travel is often the catalyst for inspiration. While our anchors may be down for now we will no doubt set sail again. Come with us as we quench your wanderlust through imagery of design around the world.

Copy: Design focus

Destination: Japan

Muji or Mujirushi Ryōhin, translates as “no-brand quality goods”. The lifestyle brand built on the Japanese concept of Kanketsu, the concept of simplicity, has realized its brand in the form of Muji Hotel Ginza. Natural, calm and comfortable are all words @uds_official designer Keiichi Ito tried out before landing on one that perfectly sums up the essence of the @Muji Hotel: ‘Kinobi’– which means functional beauty.’ With a focus on wood, stone and earth, design touches include the black stone wall behind the front desk, made from stones salvaged from old Tokyo train lines, natural plasterwork on the sixth floor by artisan Naoki Kusumi, who uses a rammed earth technique called hanchiku, and a patchwork expanse of steel panels in the restaurant, which came from an abandoned ship found in Hiroshima.