Whenever I travel to a foreign country, I usually try to bring back some local magazines that are about design and travel. Some of my favorite ones are from Japan. There’s just something about Japanese “packaging” of magazines that makes you want to buy them. So here are my favorites:

pen.

What I love best about this magazine are the city pages towards the front cover. For each edition (the magazine is published twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th of the month), there is a summary of what is hot in major cities around the world. In the most current edition, the editors introduce new places to stay in Stockholm and discount stores in London, as a few examples. These noteworthy items can be easily torn out and kept for future reference.

Recently, the editors of pen have also published the guide for the “XXIst Century Man” exhibit at the 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo, which is also worth a look.

BRUTUS and Casa BRUTUS.

The main magazine BRUTUS is all about design, culture and lifestyle in Japan. Its sister magazine, the Casa BRUTUS, is dedicated to home furnishings and design. These two are definitely fun magazines to flip through even if you may not read Japanese.

Real Design.

I have to admit, this one is actually a recent find, even though the magazine recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. As per the magazine title, this magazine is all about design. But don’t get fooled by the title, as reportages cover a variety of topics, including culture, food and more. The most recent issue dedicates nearly 40 pages to gifts to everyone on your list. There are also articles about modern design in Kyoto and where to buy great gifts with unique packaging. Now that’s truly Japanese. No website for this one though, sadly.

On January 9th, Terminal 3 (T3) at Singapore’s Changi Airport will be open for business. I recently had the pleasure of visiting T3 while traveling through Singapore, so here is my report.

Location: The new T3 is conveniently located across from the existing Terminal 2 (T2), and not far away from the oldest terminal, Terminal 1 (T1). There is a convenient people mover that connects the three terminals. If you’d rather walk, there is a underpass that connects T3 with T2 — it’s only a short walk away. This is probably one of the best things I like about T3 in that it is truly passenger-friendly, unlike London’s Heathrow Terminal 4, which is quite distant from the rest of the terminals.

Capacity: With the opening of T3, Changi Airport adds another 22 million to its current annual passenger capacity, which brings the total up to 70 million passengers — more than 15 times of the city-state’s population. Eight of the new 28 gates will be capable of handling the new A380 passenger planes.

Interior: During the day, natural lighting will be brought in with its 900 skylights with reflector panels. The panels will also work at night, giving the skylights a natural glow. “Green” features such as waterfalls and ponds have been integrated into the design to give passengers a welcome feel. For those to like to shop, there are about 100 shops and restaurants in the terminal at your disposal.

Transportation: Well-connected with Bus, Taxi and MRT (subway) connections. Skytrain people movers are available for connections between terminals.

Initially, only Singapore Airlines will be occupying the terminal, mostly for its medium to long-haul flights. Check it out!

Wallpaper* launched its Graduate Directory today — featuring 110 of this year’s new talent in a variety of fields, including design, photography, fashion, art and architecture. You can easily navigate through the directory by clicking on a category, then a designer — and then click on the box with the designer’s name and you will be directed to a page with more information about that designer’s work.

Here are two designers to give you a flavor of what you will find:

Ahmed ElHusseiny, Architecture

Kate Boddington, Photography