The next GAS Book (24) will cover the works of graphic designer Hideki Inaba. Get more details in this post from SHIFT Blog.

Here’s a sneak peak at the tee PMKFA has designed for our Swedish Style event, “Nudie Cafe.” The idea was to remix the original Nudie Jeans tees, and I’m rather happy with the result. The final version, which will be sold at the cafe, we’ll have slightly different colors.

I wouldn’t want to disappoint Paul, so here’s this morning’s cut, this time with 4, yes, 4 angles!

In the latest message from the KDDI Design Studio mailing list, they announce that October 31 will not only mark 3 years since the release of the INFOBAR, the Naoto Fukasawa design that was the first official release from the AU Design Project, but that they’ll also be presenting the INFOBAR2 concept model, again designed by Fukasawa. I’ll definitely try to stop by, since I should be in the area for other Tokyo Design Week events.

• Floating Bar Jicoo
• Wireless in Tokyo

You can read all of my Gridskipper posts here (or even subscribe to a feed).

To celebrate their first novel (fiction), LAST OF THE RED HOT POPPAS, Chin Music Press will host a release party at Sanbancho Cafe on November 16. Below is the event info, and here’s a link to an access map (the cafe is near Co-Lab/Yasukuni Shrine).

Tokyo Fun Party has started a blog — not much there yet, but Digiki will start posting soon about his role as the label’s A&R guy, so best to subscribe to the feed.

The next edition of PauseTalk (Vol. 5) will take place, as scheduled, on November 6 (first Monday of the month). This will mark a turning point for the event, as I feel like it’s time to move things to a new level of participation and collaboration. I’ve been chatting with some of the regular participants recently about what we’ve been doing, and although it’s been very nice — maybe even “too nice” — it seems like it’s time to start thinking “pro-actively” about what a group of people, like us, can do together, in a way that will help each of our careers, and also contribute to something that will be more permanent, and fulfilling. This next PauseTalk will not be about talking points or showing images, it’s about creating, and I look forward to seeing what we can come up with together.

Sonia gives us a peek at the Rezidents collection she’s preparing to sell at 100% Design Tokyo next week, in the Designboom Mart.

Lisa points us to this site that sells key/phone straps featuring the station signs you see on all platforms. I’m totally getting an Ikebukuro one!

Update
Here’s an English site that sells them.

The October edition of my “On Design” column is in today’s THE JAPAN TIMES (you can read it online here). In it, I cover the Sharp Aquos line (you know I love it so), Kaichiro Yamada‘s Tatami chair, Tokujin Yoshioka‘s Pane chair, and Masanori Oji’s Kakehouki.

Today’s edition of THE JAPAN TIMES interviews the deputy manager of Ikebukuro’s Junkudo, “which boasts the largest floor space (nine-stories) of any bookstore in Japan.” This is the store I’m always referring to, as I live just a minute down the road from it.

Katsuhiro Otomo is going live-action! Click here to see the trailer for his adaption of the MUSHISHI manga (which has also been adapted into an anime series), starring Jo Odigiri. Link via Anime News Network.

A while back Sonia had mentioned that she would be selling some limited edition Th’ Rezidents tees at the 100% Design Tokyo Designboom Mart, but it seems like she won’t get to (she’ll be selling other stuff though), so instead she’s selling them online. The details on both designs (pictured above, limited to 25) are all here.

• BRUTUS (604) has a terrific feature that shows how various creators/companies are “Inventing Tomorrow Today,” which means lots of forward-thinking designs and products (they kick things off with a stylish robot and the Nintendo Wii), with this issue’s insert an “Encyclopedia of Inventions.” There’s also a look at the storefront display that Tokujin Yoshioka has created for the Maison Hermes flagship store, some Starbucks remixing, with the likes of Fantastic Plastic Machine and Graf offering ways to customize the stores to their liking (I really dig the FPM/Groovisions jukebox), and also a look at the new collection of Muji stationery. Certainly one of the best issues in a while.
• This month’s MAC POWER (203) sees the return of Yasuharu Konishi’s “The Girl Has a Name” column (it wasn’t in last month’s issue), and has a cover feature that offers up a long list of short profiles of “Kinetic Creators.” There’s also a nice image-heavy look at the designs of Nendo.
• The latest issue of EASY TRAVELER (Vol. 15) will be of interest to many has it’s completely bilingual (English/Japanese), and offers a guide to Tokyo. It’s a mix of traditional and modern, with interesting little pieces, like one on the birth of Tokyu Hands. There’s also a section with foreigners sharing their take on the city.
• The second issue of PLANTED follows-up on its debut issue with more eco-friendly plant porn, including attractive layouts and beautiful photography throughout. This time, the included seeds are for wild strawberries!