The Design Block
If you're looking for the latest in advertising and marketing, design related technology and lifestyle tips, and art or design highlights then you're in the right place. Find all this and more with the Design Block blog.
Eco-friendly pasta straws are a popular alternative
Pasta straws are an alternative to paper that is also eco-friendly and has a low cost of production.
KFC is throwing chicken-themed weddings in Australia
If you’ve ever dreamt of marrying the one you love at a fast-food restaurant, here’s your chance. KFC Australia is offering a wedding package to couples to legally tie the knot Kentucky Fried Chicken style. The fast-food chain is organizing and paying for six chicken-themed weddings for couples…
Facebook considers hiding Like counts
Facebook could soon start hiding the Like counter on News Feed posts.
Keep cool on the go with Sony’s wearable air conditioner
About the size of a small wallet, this portable device will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Famous creatives lesser-known hobbies & side gigs
Many famous creatives have side gigs or hobbies to help them relax and be more creative.
Washington’s Metro launches ad about manspreading
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority asks manspreaders to think about the comfort of other passengers.
Instagram influencers are upset after Likes display is disabled
Instagram's hiding of Likes will allow users to focus on quality as well as what they really want to post.
Reusable mesh produce bags are a sustainable shopping alternative
Reusable mesh produce bags are a sustainable alternative to plastic produce bags.
IKEA wants to send you to Denmark for free to experience Hygge culture
IKEA wants to send someone to live in Copenhagen for two weeks to explore what makes its residents so happy.
Inventor creates taller glasses to help shorter people see above crowds
The One Foot Taller glasses work like a periscope so that the wearer can see beyond the crowd no matter their height.
Burnout is now a recognized medical condition by the WHO
Creative burnout can happen to all of us, even those who don't consider themselves naturally creative people.
No money to travel? Photoshop yourself a trip with ‘Fake A Vacation’
Fake A Vacation allows Instagramming wannabes to have a photo of themselves appearing like they're on vacation.
Funeral LEGO kits helps children learn about death
Funeral Museum in Vienna decided to help their young visitors by introducing funeral LEGO kits.
Burger King unhappy meals, because not everybody wakes up happy
BK has teamed with Mental Health America to release five unhappy meals called The Real Meal.
LEGO releases Braille bricks for visually impaired children
For children who are born visually impaired, Braille is a crucial skill to learn and LEGO has come up with a way to make it fun.
An influencer’s nightmare: Instagram experiments with removing likes
Imagine influencers on Instagram when no one but you can see how many followers or likes you have.
German cycling safety campaign being called sexist and stupid
A German ad campaign to get cyclists to wear helmets has sparked accusations of sexism.
Finland offers free trips to teach people happiness
In an effort to promote the wellness and happiness Visit Finland lets you Rent a Finn for a weekend.
Japanese company to 3D-print custom sushi based on diner’s urine
A Japanese company is fusing science and food to create sushi uniquely designed for each diner.
Architect designs sustainable prism-shaped treehouses
When we think of treehouses, we instantly think of plain-planked interiors propped in trees. Plenty of kids have spent their youth climbing trees and building their secret hideaways in the tree branches. However, this modern concept by Milan-based Peter Pichler Architecture envisions treehouses for adults that…
Doritos throws in the towel with a new chip bag that cleans your fingers
We’ve all been there. Our hands deep in a bag of Doritos and the sudden need to grab something other than another fistful of chips. That’s the moment you decide to wipe those cheesy hands on your shirt, your pants, the couch, something else. Doritos…
Augmented Reality tattoo generates Sonic the Hedgehog
This unique Augmented Reality tattoo actually generates a version of a Sonic the Hedgehog game.
How to avoid burnout as a small business owner
1 out of 10 businesses fail because of lack of passion, and it’s estimated that negativity costs businesses $3 billion in productivity every year.
Adult-friendly LEGO kits to build a mini Leica camera
Designer Chris McVeigh and LEGO have teamed up to create a Leica M model kit. Each set lets you build your own toy version of the iconic camera.
McDonald’s introduces its first vegan-friendly Happy Meal
One third of McDonald’s UK customers polled said it was important to them to include more meat-free meals.
Tiffany & Co. releases what’s essentially fancy LEGO for US$1,650
Did you love LEGO as a kid, but feel that it's not luxurious enough now that you're older? Well, Tiffany & Co. has just released a more opulent version that's the perfect gift for your inner child.
Spice up the holidays with the KFC fire log
Forget pine and cinnamon. Maybe Christmas should smell like crispy fried chicken.
The #InstaGiftGuide, based on popular 2018 hashtags
The #InstaGiftGuide matches six popular hashtag trends from 2018 with gift-worthy products.
McDonald’s releases McNugget Christmas ornaments
One of the world’s largest fast food chains is sprucing up the holiday season with some signature Christmas ornaments. McDonald’s UK has just rolled out two variations of ornaments. Celebrating the almighty Chicken McNugget, you’ll want a full box of 50.
Pantone unveils 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for designers
Trying to find the right gift can be especially challenging when the person you're shopping for has refined tastes and a good sense of design.
Starbucks to ban porn in its stores, so YouPorn bans them from offices
Apparently Starbucks doesn’t want its customers using their free WiFi to look at porn. Enough Is Enough, a nonprofit dedicated to internet safety, created a petition calling for the coffee chain to block access to explicit materials.
Fashion retailer sells twigs for US$50 leaving Internet speechless
If you visit the website of fashion retailer Anthropologie, you’ll see a product called Birch Branch Bundle. Exactly what the name implies, this bundle of decorative twigs is not much different from what you’d find in your own yard.
Scents to help you work
Everywhere you look, it seems that there is a new suggestion or idea on how to increase your productivity and efficiency at work. This isn’t surprising, since cracking the code of how to stay on top of your tasks and truly shine in your work…
Up your gaming interior with Sony Playstation furniture
If you’re wondering what to get the gamer in your life for Christmas, how about official PlayStation furniture like a branded bean bag chair?
Organ donation ad featuring Jesus at the crucifixion sparks controversy
An Australian group has released a new ad to promote organ donation. And as they point out in the ad, organ donation can save lives. However, the number of people who register for organ donation remains relatively low.
Write people up for design offences with the Typographic Ticket Book
Is someone using terrible kerning, stretching type or did you get a client brief in the dreaded Comic Sans? Don’t despair. The next time someone commits design offences, you can write them up with this Typographic Ticket Book.
Are you visually astute? Take the Pantone Colour IQ Test
Do you have a sharp eye for colour? Now you can find out for sure, because Pantone has launched a Colour IQ Test that allows you to discover your level of colour vision.
Photographer discovers his image plagiarized, hanging in an art gallery
A renowned American artist has been accused of plagiarizing an iconic image by a South African photographer.
IKEA wants to make self-driving cars that double as cafés & offices
IKEA just became the latest company to announce it’s experimenting with self-driving cars. Well, calling them cars isn’t quite right. While the Swedish furniture giant isn’t looking to become the next Tesla, they’re taking an entirely different approach to the concept.
SpaceX is sending 8 artists around the Moon for free
A couple days ago, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Yusaku Maezawa, will be the first private customer to ride around the Moon on the company’s Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) as early as 2023.
Millennial parents are naming their kids based on available domains
Forget the baby books, there’s a new way to get baby name inspiration. According to a new study, Millennial parents are naming their kids based on available domain names.
Expose catfishes by hiring a professional social media stalker
Online dating is at an all-time high. In fact, it’s quickly turned into a billion-dollar industry. And according to at least one poll, it’s the second most common way to find a significant other. But what if you want to know more details about your…
Tesla debuts surfboard that immediately sells out
Billionaire Elon Musk has created some interesting merchandise to promote his companies over the years: everything from Boring Company hats to a flamethrower. Last week, Tesla debuted a new product: a limited edition US$1,500 surfboard.
How to remain calm and composed under pressure
Regardless of your profession, many people around the world have felt under pressure at one time or another. Yet, somehow great leaders always seem to remain calm during situations that make others fall to pieces.
AI uses wireless technology to sense people through walls
For decades, scientists have been looking to create x-ray vision to see through walls. And, in the past few years, they’ve succeeded; they created technology that uses WiFi to sense people through walls.
Suntory’s non-alcoholic colourless beer lets you drink judgement-free
The colourless beverage trend in Japan includes drinks like yogurt drinks, milk tea, coffee, and most recently, beer. On June 19th, Japanese drinks giant Suntory is launching a non-alcoholic colourless beer; packaged in a plastic bottle, the company hopes it will be particularly popular with…
World’s first 3D-printed concrete houses are coming to the Netherlands
It appears that technology is finally catching up with the construction industry’s ambitions, as a handful of 3D-printed projects inch closer to fruition. The Dutch city of Eindhoven will be the first in the world to have habitable 3D-printed concrete houses.
2 colours that research says will make you smarter and more creative
Colour can produce mental and emotional effects on sighted people in all facets of life. Red, blue, yellow and green all relate respectively to the body, mind, and emotions. You may know how to appear smarter in emails or meetings, even ways to be creative. However, scientists…
Volkswagen anti-texting & driving campaign turns crashed cars into phone cases
Taking your eyes off the road while driving, even for a second, could lead to disaster. When it comes to distracted driving, texting is becoming the number one concert. In fact, Canadians say that texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to their personal…
New survey finds people cannot correctly remember food brand logos
Despite millions spent on marketing, a new study by Kitchen Cabinet Kings finds that very few consumers can accurately remember food brand logos of the most well-known companies.