Muji is like an Ikea of Japan, but focussed more on clothing, homewares, stationery type items rather than large furniture items, though they do sell items like sofas and beds. Muji means no name brand but their items are very nicely designed and look pretty cool.
"Muji is launching an international design competition. A project calling for entries from all over the world of designs that shake up and stir people. The results will be announced at the Milan Salone. Our first theme is “SUMI”, We're asking you to focus your design, not on the major pieces that are central to a room, rather to observe the extremes of the space, the unexplored areas of consciousness. We invite anyone in the world to propose a new Muji product!"
First prize is US $20,000.
W: http://www.muji.net/award
