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We're off to Milan! The annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile is a mecca for emerging design in the Italian city. From the 9th - 14th of April, this fair pretty much marks the beginning and the end of the Design Year. Designers, makers, artists, commentators, and anyone in need of an innovation shot flock to Italy’s industry capital to see and be seen. Take a look at a couple of the shows we are most excited about.

(left to right) 1. 19 Greek Street and Marc by Marc Jacobs 2. Galleria ProjectB - Central Milan 3. Made in Ratio - Central Milan 4. MOST - Central Milan 5. Nichetto = Nendo - Central Milan 6. Secondome Edizioni - Central Milan 7. Triennale Design Museum - Central Milan 8. Moooi - Zona Tortona 9. Superstudio Piu - Zona Tortona

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Is this the future of sustainable architecture? Farmscrapers, a concept developed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut to introduce natural ecosystems into cities, are made from piles of giant glass pebbles. Entitled 'Asian Cairns', this site in Shenzhen, China has been conceptualized as a response to the rapid urbanization going on in the country. Callebaut says of the project, "The challenge is to create a fertile urbanisation with zero carbon emissions and with positive energy. This means producing more energy that it consumes, in order to conciliate the economical development with the protection of the planet." They remind us of DNA strands, anyone else?

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How great is this abstract political film for Amnesty International by visual artist Max Hattler and agency Contrapunto BBDO? The campaign, shot for the UN treaty to reduce the international arms trade, features a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, based on Hattler’s 2005 short featuring Islamic and American motifs. Now that's great design for a great cause.

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Its the first day of Spring today! And we are celebrating with photographer Parker Fitzgerald's images of perfectly melted ice cream blended with pastel hues of Springs finest flowers designed by botanical maven Amy Merrick. Now bring on the warmer weather!

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Magical things happen when ACNE takes on William Wegman and his dogs for their SS 13 campaign. Deftly pulling off the printed silk shirts, headscarves and linen blazers from the collection.. dare we say, better than most people could

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Cape Town looks well on its way to succeed Helsinki as the World Design Capital 2014 if these images from the recent Design Indaba are anything to go by. The expo is more an international TED-style talking shop than product showcase and this year’s conference was a graphic, design-centric affair. Not to be outdone, Woodstock, the creative heart of the city got in on the action with The Woodstock Foundry, a mix of stores, galleries, restaurants and workshops, the venue for some of the most interesting offsite events. This contrast cements it as one of Cape Town's fascinating and most vibrant creative quarters.

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Rick Owens tuns furniture designer. The result - gorgeous sculptural pieces that blend the line between art and furniture. Can we can it functional art? A collection of pure brutalist beauty.

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While in Miami during Art Basel last year, we got to check out the Architecture for Dogs exhibition in the Design District. The project is the brainchild of Japanese designer Kenya Hara and features the designs of over 11 architects, who each contributed their own design for a specified breed. This may seem absurd to even the most beloved of pet owners but we still think its an amusing idea.