Japanese Designers Showcase Elegant Low-Impact Products at BKLYN Designs 2014

Brooklyn is big in Japan. Need proof? Look no further than this year's <a href="http://www.bklyndesigns.com/">BKLYN Designs</a>, which showcased a cutting-edge collection of designs from the land of the rising sun at <a href="https://www.brooklynroasting.com/">Brooklyn Roasting Company</a>. The exhibition shined with innovative recycled furnishings (a chair made out of manga magazines), experimental material use (bowls made from coffee grinds) and clever waste-cutting designs (slippers made form a single piece of leather). Best of all, this cross-cultural exchange goes both ways - next year a delegation of Brooklyn-based designers will travel to Japan for an inaugural BKLYN Designs Japan show!

Akiko Oue and Ryohei Yoshiyuki of <a href="http://oy-objects.com/">Oy Objects</a> see exciting new possibilities in everyday materials. These rustic earth-toned vessels made from recycled coffee grounds are the perfect compliment to your morning cup of joe.

<a href="http://oy-objects.com/">Oy Objects</a> also showcased a set of subtly toned ceramic bracelets and a series of magnetic rings that can be reconfigured on the fly.

<a href="http:/toe-to-knee.com">Toe to Knee</a>'s elegant handsewn slippers are cut from a single piece of leather, which keeps material use to a bare minimum.

<a href="http://www.kurasu-kurasu.com/">Kurasuhito Kurasutokoro</a> casts beautiful brass objects to resemble forms found in nature. This "One Piece" bookmark is shaped like a slice of a golden apple.

<a href="http://www.kurasu-kurasu.com/">Kurasuhito Kurasutokoro</a> also created a clever nesting onion whose sections can be separated to serve as chopstick rests.

<a href="http://barracks-anonymous-design-gang.jimdo.com/designer/fumi-hanai/">Fumi Hanai</a> of <a href="http://barracks-anonymous-design-gang.jimdo.com/">Barracks</a> revitalizes old broken umbrellas by turning them into cute eco ponchos for kids! She maintains the shape and seams of the umbrellas and transforms their bundle straps into loops for hanging the garments up to dry.

<a href="http://www.chaki-japan.com">Chaki</a>'s cool geometric skateboards are made from artfully arranged strips of wood veneer.

<a href="http://www.botanistweb.jp/">Botanist</a> has created a series of tiny vessels that serve as self-contained terrariums - perfect for bringing a bit of zero-maintenance greenery to your desk.

Calling all otakus - Kiichiro Ogawa of <a href="http://barracks-anonymous-design-gang.jimdo.com/">Barracks</a> gave old manga comic books a new life by transforming them into a recycled chair!

<a href="http://www.hraf.jp/">.hraf</a> handcrafted this streamlined stool so that her aging mother had a place to sit while working in the kitchen. The stool's frame is made from salvaged wood, while its soft green seat is designed to resemble a patch of moss.

<a href="http://www.share-woods.jp/">Share Woods</a> hosted a workshop where they taught participants to make traditional Japanese percussion instruments (cajons) from locally sourced wood.