Product Design Studios at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Both cities have some of the best fashion and retail experiences, exceptional interiors and architecture, graphic and product design studios, and headquarters of the top design companies, all pushing the boundaries of design and technology. And it is from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and Domus Academy in Milan where some of the top designers have graduated, and whose ex-students and staff read like a who's who of contemporary design. In July 2006, you can make the most of both colleges by enrolling in a unique two or four week course in either fashion, graphic, interior or product design.

DESIGN CHALLENGE Southern California's progressive social environment and freethinking spirit are major contributors to American culture today. This is why leading automotive companies have built design centers here, and why the Los Angeles Auto Show is featuring an exciting design competition among the studios. With "An LA Adventure" as its theme, the contest challenges studios to develop a unique visual concept of the perfect LA adventure vehicle.

CONCEPT CARS AND TRUCKS California has long been recognized as one of the key trendsetters and style makers for automobile design and car culture. No place else has as much influence on automotive design as does the California lifestyle and its car crazy residents. The progressive and varied makeup of the state also explains why there are 14 major automobile design studios in the Southland along with at least another half-dozen independent design studios. Los Angeles is also home to the Art Center, perhaps the leading institute of automotive design in the world. Therefore, it's fitting that the Los Angeles Auto Show should serve as a showcase to a variety of innovative concept vehicles from throughout the world.