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.
5 website popup mistakes and how to avoid them
Popups are a great way to convert visitors into leads. If they're good they can take your conversion to another level.
Researchers develop an ‘e-fabric’ capable of generating power
Researchers at Nottingham Trent University have developed a new 'e-fabric' capable of generating energy.
New sustainable LEGO made from recycled plastic bottles
After 3 years of experimenting, LEGO can create 10 4x2 bricks from a 1-litre recycled plastic bottle.
How NFTs are shaking up the art world
Artists are finally able to truly “own” and sell their digital art using non-fungible tokens.
eCommerce and your small business
Since the pandemic hit, many businesses have had to re-evaluate how they marketed their brand.
German city installs sleep pods for the homeless
In the German city of Ulm, a company called Ulmer Nest is doing what it can to help homelessness.
LG’s new hi-tech face mask is a personal air purifier
LG's new hi-tech face masks are essentially PuriCare Air Purifiers that can be strapped to your face.
Coca-Cola & Carlsberg are making the switch to plant-based bottles
Thanks to a biochemicals company in the Netherlands, plant-based bottles could soon replace plastic ones.
How to design an eCommerce About Us page
Did you know that the About Us page is one of the most important pages of your eCommerce website?
Starbucks changes cups, hoping you won’t tell the difference
Starbucks is testing a prototype cup with a biodegradable liner in some of its stores.
Kids can show their art to billions with ‘Doodle for Google’
Each year, young US-based artists in grades K-12 are invited to submit their Google Doodle ideas.
Google drops 1,000+ high-res satellite photos for use as wallpapers
Google is adding 1,000+ new images to Earth View, which users can download at up to 4K resolution.
Instagram introduces unfollow account suggestions
Instagram's new feature breaks down those you’re following into those most seen and least interacted with.
Google releases ‘Envelope’ to curb your smartphone addiction
If you feel you rely on your mobile device too much, Google has a solution to curb technological distractions.
Teenager invents a clever solution to reduce vehicle blind spots
A 14-year-old Pennsylvania teen’s invention could help make roads a safer place.
Print on almost anything with the world’s smallest mobile printer
What if a printer was wireless, could fit in your pocket, and print on virtually any surface?
6 ways to prepare your eCommerce site for the holidays
If your eCommerce site doesn’t run smoothly over the holidays, it's sure to spell trouble for your sales & reputation
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.
Adobe shares its design system and UI/UX assets
Adobe shares the components that make up its design system, comprising of over 100 tools.
Elegant zero-waste bottles made from soap
Since only 1 in 5 people consistently recycle items from their bathroom, these bottles are a sustainable solution.
Natural pigments created from fruit and vegetable waste
Nicole Stjernswärd has created a colour-making system that transforms plant waste into natural pigments.
Photoshop unveils new content-aware options for precise removals
This new upgrade works with the help of Adobe Sensei to be more accurate and seamless than ever.
Augmented reality glasses bring smartphone functions to life
Charles Sun developed augmented reality glasses that look... like glasses.
Yahoo reminds us they still exist by redesigning their logo
The redesign signals a strategic change for the company as it prepares to introduce other products and services.
A limited-edition bicycle made from 300 recycled Nespresso coffee pods
These limited-edition bicycles use the aluminum garnered from used Nespresso coffee pods.
This colour-reflecting survival jacket is made of 2 billion glass spheres
Mimicking the adaptive skin of a squid, this jacket can reflect colours when exposed to light.
Amazon criticized for new non-recyclable packaging
Environmentally conscious shoppers have started complaining about Amazon’s use of plastic packaging.
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.
These Converse shoes start changing colours in sunlight
The UV-activated sneakers have the same classic Chuck Taylor All-Star design you'll recognize.
Reusable mesh produce bags are a sustainable shopping alternative
Reusable mesh produce bags are a sustainable alternative to plastic produce bags.
Adobe’s new AI can detect Photoshopped faces and reveal the original
Adobe is outing its own software with a new AI that can detect Photoshopped faces in photographs.
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.
Apple kills off iTunes to replace it with 3 other apps
Apple has announced that iTunes is no more and its music library will be divided across three apps.
Game of Thrones-inspired fire-breathing dragon lamp
Bring the GoT fantasy vibe to your home with a 3D-printed, fire-breathing dragon lamp.
Adidas announces first 100% recyclable running shoe
The Futurecraft.Loop is Adidas' first shoe that can be completely remade into another high-performance shoe.
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.
NVIDIA’s AI app can transform simple doodles into realistic landscapes
Using an app that looks like MS Paint, anyone can turn basic outlines into photorealistic images.
BK offers free Whoppers for setting its rivals’ ads on fire
Though it sounds like BK is inciting arson, they actually want users to do it through a new AR app.
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.
Nike focuses on sustainable footwear for summer 2019
Today may be the first day of spring, but thoughts of summer are already on the horizon for Nike as they preview their sustainable footwear.
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.
Hyundai’s electric walking car concept is reminiscent of Star Wars
Presented with a video animation at CES 2019, the walking car dubbed Elevate, involves some inspired engineering that would be great to have along when doing some epic back-county skiing or biking trips.
KFC ensures you don’t smudge your phone with this synthetic finger
Sometimes you just have to share your love fried chicken while you eat. However, using your smartphone with chicken-scented fingers might leave your shiny display covered in grease and grime. Not to worry though, KFC has a better way to live-tweet what you’re eating.
Russian start-up plans to deploy space-based billboards
A Russian startup, StartRocket, plans massive billboards to beam advertisements to Earth from space.
Nestlé says goodbye to single-use plastic
In a recent press release, Nestlé stated that it will begin eliminating all plastic straws in its products.
Don’t like tying your laces? Check out Nike’s self-lacing basketball shoes
Nike's Adapt BB are an auto-lacing, app-controlled basketball shoe that's loaded technological advancements.
7 web design trends that could shape 2019
2019 web design trends are expected to see aesthetics and technology come together like never before.
For designers on the go, iPad finally gets a full version of Photoshop
Adobe’s premiere image editor, Photoshop remains the industry standard because of how the software can assist photographers and graphic designers in doing their jobs. It is, however, about the get a lot easier for Apple users. This year Adobe is finally bringing Photoshop CC—a fully…
Email phrases that seem polite, but have different meanings
We receive plenty of work #emails the begin with phrases that sound polite, but they often have a passive-aggressive tone.