In the corporate world, climbing ladders and shaking hands run simultaneous. Between lunches, dinners, and meetings, something had to surface among the numbing UV lights of the office to keep everything in line. The Post-it Note, a small square with re-adhearable adhesive on the back, was one such answer. The three-inch bright yellow square was employed as a reminder, a note, or for organization… But some don’t see it as only a productivity tool… they see it as a medium for colorful art.

Even on 3M’s corporate site the Post-it Notes are sold with the slogan “So express yourself in color.” Some creative people took that idea to heart and below are several examples of how people have used the sticky notes to create works of art.

Without the presence of logos or any brand clues, some of you have been buying their products for years, without even taking notice of the brand name. Today MUJI is already a massive retail brand. The range of over 5,000 products MUJI offers completes nearly every aspect of daily life and includes everything from stationery to kitchenware, toiletries, clothing, furniture, food, electronics, and housing.

The name ‘MUJI’ is derived from ‘Mujirushi Ryohin’, Japanese for “no label, quality goods.” and it pretty much sums up the brand’s approach. “What you see is what you get.” There is no effort to flaunt or flirt. That is what distinguishes MUJI from other brands. The philosophy underpinning MUJI’s design – that of emptiness – isn’t that easy to imitate and the so-called concept of ‘Simplicity’ is not as simple as it spells. Let’s try to make some point out of a Zen’s reflection on emptiness – the philosophy recently adopted into MUJI ad campaign.

From the above, ‘Emptiness’ equals ‘non-being’, thus, it leaves room for ‘flexibility’. MUJI products always reflect Japanese simple way of life and philosophy. Kenya Hara, MUJI’s creative director explained

“Like an empty Japanese tea room where the appreciation happens between the tea maker and her guest, MUJI brand is like an empty vessel, ready to be filled with your thoughts and imagination…”

However, in the world of product design, while everyone is talking about creating and owning ‘Identity’. MUJI has chosen the reverse policy to demote such an identity from their work. Imagine the work of Philippe Stark for example. The uncompromising characteristics of his design label his name onto every piece of work. No doubt that Stark’s chair would look deadly amazing in a showroom or magazine setting. Yet you might find it rather hard to sit his design comfortably in your homey space… On the contrary, MUJI design is subtle, unrecognizable even but it goes easy with any sort of environment.

Hara also explains that one of MUJI’s more difficult missions is to try and settle the seemingly contradictory notions of “traditional Japanese minimalism” with MUJI’s goal of achieving “absolute universality” through their products. An example of this is how the very concept of MUJI is stealthily spreading, with the commitment to simplicity and minimal aesthetics prioritised above everything else.

“If you create something so simple – less is more,” says Hara.

In MUJI store, the concept of ‘brand-free’ is applied throughout; there are no designer tags inside or out of a MUJI product. The mission of the brand is to supply quality products at affordable prices. Occasionally the tagline “Simple. Functional. Affordable.” will appear to remind the consumer of the benefits of the product. You won’t see any luxurious promotional signs. Nor will you find ultra stylish product displays and store decoration. What you will find is a Zen-like, peaceful environment with pleasingly functional products wrapped in spare recycled packaging. Once you take out the price tag, you will suddenly lose track of the product’s origin. Very MUJI!

After 2 decades of forward thinking design and strict brand conduct, finally the anti-brand approach has gained MUJI the new value. People start to recognize the unrecognizable. Though there are hundreds of design copycats entering the market with much lower price. Asked where the real profit returns to? It all goes to none other than its originator… MUJI.

by Visa Sorntrakul
http://www.muji.net