The 26th edition of Tokyo Designers Week opened on November 1st and runs until the 6th of November. Despite the name, it's more of a single location event - all the other design events on at this time of year are not actually under the TDW umbrella.

My expectations on arrival were not that high. On my last visit to the event a few years ago there was a lot of interesting furniture but nothing that really left an impression. This time the event was a slightly different experience - there seemed to be much more of a contemporary art focus with a lot of installation type design as well as a lot more of an academic presence with numerous art and technical universities sponsoring and running booths. As a sign of the times, interactive technology also had a strong presence with DoCoMo building an interesting smart phone manipulated environment and Fujitsu creating a sensor based interactive video and music experience.

While there was a lot of innovative Japanese design on show, design from neighbouring countries South Korea and Taiwan also stood out. The Red Dot Design Award winning Korean designed silicone iPhone stand was particularly popular.

Overall TDW 2011 offered a wide range of interesting and innovative creative design. If you miss the last day of the event tomorrow, keep an eye out for the event when it comes around again in 2012.

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In mid to late autumn of each year there is a flurry of interesting art, design and media related events in Tokyo.  Here are a few that we'll be either attending or keeping an eye on.

Digital Content Expo 2011

Thursday, the 20th of October to Saturday, the 22nd of October

This is what it says.  The best of Japanese CG and 3D art and animation will be on display.  There will also be a wide range of hi-tech companies showing off such things as interactive tables, thermal drawing devices and the latest in 3D cameras and display technology.

http://dcexpo.jp/en/access/

AdTech Tokyo

Wednesday, the 26th of October to Friday, the 28th of October

This is an industry event for the ad business with lots of closed seminars and heavy hitting agency types giving key notes.  However, free entrance can be obtained with pre-registration which will give you access to the main exhibition hall and some of the sponsored rooms.  Last year Microsoft was showing off the Kinect before it's public release and Adobe had some interesting seminars about their approach to helping in the production of iPad/tablet magazines like 'Wired'.  More 'business' than 'creative', but very interesting and inspirational nonetheless.
http://www.adtech-tokyo.com

Design Tide Tokyo

Sunday, the 29th of October to Thursday, the 3rd of November

Design Tide started as the upstart event in 2005.  However, in recent years it has been solidly establishment with its base at the upmarket Tokyo Midtown complex near Roppongi Station.  As opposed to TDW, Design Tide is a 'curated' event so not just anyone is allowed to exhibit here - or perhaps you just need to know the right people.  The tough times that the design industry has been going through (along with everyone else) is perhaps reflected in the theme of this year's event.  "Trading design. Trading Ideas".  Time to cash in.

https://designtide.jp/tide2011/

Tokyo Designers Week

Tuesday, the 1st of Novermber to Sunday, the 6th of Novermber

This event has become an institution in the Tokyo design scene.  There tends to be a strong focus on product and interior design but the work on display can be quite diverse.  There seem to be a few less exhibitors than last year.  The theme in English is 'Love/Arigatou' while the theme in Japanese is still 'Love' but instead of 'Arigatou' it's 'Love of the earth, love of people and love of things'.

http://www.tdwa.com/en/