Driving forces of Japanese design

JUST what is it about Japanese design that makes it so attractive? An exhibition at the National Design Centre attempts to unveil its secrets.

Titled Hidden - Unveiling Japanese Design, the exhibition will feature more than 120 products, from glassware, tableware and furniture, to stationery, bags and even packing boxes.

For example, there is the UnBRELLA - a smartly designed umbrella that opens inwards, keeping the wet surface on the inside, and the "15.0% Ice Cream Spoons", which are made from aluminium, so they can conduct heat from your hand to cut easily into frozen ice cream. Then there is also the Hiracle cherry blossom saucers, where a cherry blossom appears in the saucer only when it is used.