Very recently, a new design center — one that promises to take a different approach to sharing design with the public- opened its doors in Tokyo. Named 21_21 Design Sight (after 21/21 vision; meaning to see beyond today into the future), the museum/research center’s aim is to “share view’s with the many parties involved in design, starting with designers and including companies, craftsmen and engineers, as well as consumers, and to launch a movement to foster interest in, and greater understanding of design.”

Under the directorship of Issey Miyake, Taku Satoh, and Naoto Fukasawa, 21_21 is as much about creating as it is admiring, a concept visible from the moment you arrive at the Tadao Ando-designed structure. The gently downward-sloping steel plates of 21_21’s home do well to prepare visitors of the non-prescribed attitude carried throughout the whole museum, whose opening exhibit, instead of covering more traditional ground, featured 70 artist renditions of chocolate. That exhibit is now closed, but for a look into Japanese performance arts, Tokyo visitors can catch 21_21’s summer program, the LUCKY LUCK SHOW, now through the 24th of August.

I’ve wondered for a few years why we don’t see more carbon fiber in furniture design — especially since it’s been used to make oddly shaped bicycle frames and body panels for F1 cars for years. It’s not much more difficult to work with than fiberglass, but I guess when it comes down to it, the answer is probably cost. Even that’s turning around these days, and we’re starting to notice this high-tech material creeping into the fringes of the furniture design world.

I mentioned the carbon fiber Eames chairs the other day and now, I’ve stumbled into the Carbon Table by Guy Brown, one of the four masterminds behind Farm Designs. Brown’s table — listed under “tables” on the site — is a study in simplicity; the carbon fiber plane of the table’s surface almost floats on the minimal wire legs. The carbon fiber pattern offers just a hint of texture to the other black tabletop. While I wouldn’t want a room full of carbon fiber furniture, a table or a pair of chairs might prove to be an interesting discussion piece. Of course, if you really want to go overboard, you could always shoot for this carbon fiber toilet seat…no pun intended, of course.

With Sean Paul wearing his shirts and his collection on the shelves at Karmaloop, Jib Hunt hardly needs us to join the fray of those exclaiming the merits of his clothes…but we’re going to do it anyway, because he’s about to unveil his Holiday 2007 Basics Collection and his Better Men’s Spring 2008 Lifestyle Sportswear Collection at MAGIC — an event that I assume will be much livelier than its website. (The collections, also, will be more attractive than their names.) Jib sent us a few advance pictures of the tees he’ll be showing at MAGIC and they are characteristically bold, engaging and cognizant of the world around them.

For a bit of insight into Jib’s history and philosophy, check out this stiff but informative video, which first aired on Bravo. While the announcer talks about how great Mr. Hunt is, we learn how leaving your corporate name off a piece of clothing can actually make your brand popular.

Remarkable, a UK-based recycled product company, makes fun stuff out of old CDs, tires, and juice boxes. Oh, and about anything else they can get their hands on — because the creative crew at Remarkable will stop at nothing when it comes to reusing products.

Essentially started as a experiment in turning a plastic cup into a pen, the now decade-old company follows the goal of “creating recycled items that are well-designed, great quality and a joy to own.” By “a joy to own,” I assume they’re referring to the type of products they lean towards creating — namely, brightly colored school supplies. Remarkable’s notebooks, pencil cases, mouse pads and rulers all refer to their original state with playful statements doodled across their fronts; a friendly reminder of their humble beginnings and optimistic rebirths. Aside from the personal satisfaction I’d get from supporting a company like this, I have a hunch that a ruler inscribed with “I used to be polystyrene packaging” could really help steer the conversation away from my deteriorating math skills — so next time I need some earth-friendly office accessories, I’ll be heading here to score some car-part pens, juice-box notebooks, and video-cassette pencils.

Break out the plastic, ’cause Anonymous Apparel is having a sale. We’ve told you about these guys before before; once when they opened for business, and again when they created a truly spot-on (get it?) shirt in support of the National Wildlife Federation. Now we’re telling you about them because they’re launching a new website, one that includes a blog, wholesaler access (for all you wholesalers out there), new items and — most importantly — 15% off all items on the site.

In their newly-juiced corner of the web, you’ll find T-shirts for men and women as well as jewelry and accessories. Some of the shirts are really sweet and some are slightly less so but I am, however, willing to stipulate that the shirts you like might very well be different from the shirts that I like, since that seems to be the way that taste in clothing works. That being said, I’m also willing to bet that you will find something here to like, and like hard — certainly hard enough to buy at 15% off.