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.
College student’s photo series protests rapists release
In June of this year, Brock Turner, a former student at Stanford University in California, was sentenced for rape. He received only six months for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster at a campus party. As you can probably imagine, many people were understandably…
Artist creates monsters next to subway passengers
If commute on the subway, you either stare at your phone, the floor, or enjoy the pleasures of people watching. It can be interesting to observe people’s emotions and expressions. And the New York subway can be a pretty strange place, even at the best of times. Sometimes the expressions of these strange…
Hidden rainbow hair is the newest fashion trend
There have always been different hairstyles that have trended; including PANTONE Colour of the Year styles. Some of us are just too shy or have a conservative job for these bold hairstyles. If you’re one of those people, you’ll love this hidden rainbow hair trend.
Cyclotron is the world’s first spokeless smart bicycle
Decades after the original Tron hit cinemas, it’s still influencing futuristic designs. The design of this smart bicycle is unmistakably based on Tron’s Light Cycle – namely its two illuminated, spokeless wheels. And if you’re riding the Cyclotron, you’ll probably feel like you’re cruising through a futuristic landscape.
Diet Coke prints millions of unique labels for new campaign
Diet Coke sales keep falling, but the marketing investment behind the struggling soda keeps flowing in the US this year. Coca-Cola put significant media support behind the launch of a new Diet Coke packaging design program. Diet Coke’s fun new packaging stunt uses HP Indigo digital printing technology to create…
Make reading magical with glow-in-the-dark bookmarks
Want to find your book in the dark? These bookmarks glow in the dark after briefly being exposed to light.
Ice cream cone floating in a cotton candy cloud
Today’s weather is cloudy with a chance of soft-serve ice cream. Ice cream cones are already wonderful treats, but one genius ice cream shop has made it more heavenly by surrounding the cone with cotton candy. The result is a gorgeously dreamy dessert that makes it look like it’s…
10 workplace incentives top designers want
If you’re anything like most people, you’ve fantasized about the perfect workplace. Maybe you imagined eating prime rib at your desk while surrounded by brilliant colleagues. Or you dreamed of working at home office instead of being stuck in rush hour traffic with the other poor saps.
Spectacular triangle mountain cabin sits the edge of a cliff
Are you looking to unplug and find a cabin in the mountains to relax? Based in Hamburg, Germany, architect Matthias Arndt has created a stunning concept named the Triangle Cliff House that rests on the edge of a fictional cliff.
Everyday Backpack surpasses Kickstarter goal by 1200%
With comfort and functionality as priorities, lots of people now use backpacks for their everyday commute. Just throw it over the shoulders and go. You probably think that there’s not a lot of room to improve here. Well, that’s where you’d be wrong. These new Kickstater backpack is designed…
3D chalk art playfully interacts with street objects
Sidewalks are boring. If you live in the city, you’ll walk a lot of them and it’s usually not very interesting to look down. Usually. For nearly thirty years, Michigan-based artist David Zinn has created temporary illustrations with chalk and charcoal.
Ad agency immortalizes funny quotes from a client
Have you had a client that said funny things or asked stupid questions over the course of a project? For example, there are things clients say when wanting cheaper work and their ridiculous demands. A project team at ad agency Strategy Creative in New Zealand has definitely heard some humorous things. While working…
The 10 best Google Fonts for your designs
As a web designer, you’re probably well aware of the importance of typeface. With the growing amount of businesses engaging in content marketing, font selection is becoming all the more crucial.
The latest Instagram food trend is avocado burger buns
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Traditionally, hamburgers and other bbq are served on buns that come in all shapes and sizes. But I am reasonably certain there have never been avocado burger buns — that is, until now.
Company lets kids design their own clothes
Many people assume that you are either born creative or not. Not true. Creativity is actually more of skill that you can learn, which makes it a skill parents can help their kids develop. That’s what Jaimee Newberry, mother of two did with her kids.
25 potential culture shocks from around the world
Don’t flush your toilet paper and never finish your food or you’ll seem rude. When traveling to other countries for the first time, some local practices might come as potential culture shocks to foreigners. This handy infographic reveals surprising habits and social faux pas from around the world.
Low polygon animal head trophies made of colored paper
Trophy hunting animals is all about the thrill of the kill. Without trying to defend or shame trophy hunters, hanging the head of an animal in your home seems a bit tacky. Especially from a design perspective. But if you want to give your home a distinguished hunter’s…
KFC scented sunscreen has just launched and sold out
There’s certainly no shortage of strange beauty products on the market. Products like Burger King’s Whopper cologne or KFC’s finger lickin’ good nail polish are available for purchase. Apparently consumers can’t get enough of that finger lickin’ good fried chicken. KFC has released an Extra Crispy Sunscreen that comes…
Temporary tattoos double as app and device controls
The wearable technology market has been flourishing in recent years. As that technology grows, so to does design and innovation. In the future, even your tattoos could be much more than just ink designs.
Water Tables create the illusion of animals emerging from the glass
Derek Pearce's Water Tables series features animal bases emerging from glass tabletops.
Draw electrical circuits with this silver ink pen
This may look like just a normal marker, but it’s much more than that. However using the conductive properties of silver found in the ink, you can turn your doodles into a functioning electrical circuit.
Instagram account shares funny memes for creatives
Creatives, do you enjoy memes about your industry? If you do, you should definitely follow @screensaviors on Instagram.
How creatives spend an average day
There’s no argument anymore. Neuroscience confirms that highly creative people think and act differently than the average person. Their brains are literally hardwired in a unique way. So what is it like to lead a creative life?
Sliced lamps made from real firewood
There are many people who like sitting in front of an indoor or outdoor fireplace and enjoying each others company. In fact, humans have been using wood-based fires to keep ourselves warm for thousands of years. However for LA-based designer Paul Foeckler of Split Grain, a simple block…
Trams in Amsterdam offer a unique gaming experience
For those who take public transit, playing games on your phone is probably how you pass the time. Parts of the world are going crazy trying to catch Pokémon through their phone with Pokémon Go. But that doesn’t mean you need to run around town chasing digital…
Pirate Printers use sewer covers to print bags and shirts
There’s nothing like utilizing the tools in front of us to create art. Look around you. Art is everywhere if you want to find it. For example, who says you need a fancy printing press and machinery to create your own t-shirt designs?
The unintentional exercises designers do while working
It takes a lot of work to get a chiselled look and rock-hard abs. The way I see it though, who needs a six-pack when you have a keg. That being said, physical activity has a positive impact on brain health.
Advertising agency life roasted like BBQ items
If industry talk is to be believed, job-seekers should run for the hills rather than risk their sanity on ad agency life.
Fashion Illustrator uses his environment to complete his designs
You may remember a previous post about an illustrator who uses food items to finish his fashion sketches. This time I’m featuring Shamekh Bluwi, a Jordan-based architect and fashion illustrator. He uses clouds, buildings, and whatever else he finds to decorate his dress designs.
KFC Thailand’s new speedy packaging design
KFC's new speedy packaging is a way to encourage people who appreciate the service to order even more.
Mesmerizing kinetic sculpture floats over Pershing Square
This eye-catching kinetic sculpture casts moving shadows over those who walk underneath.
21 tips for a successful job interview
Company Folders has compiled this helpful infographic with 21 tips for a successful job interview.
Looking for a healthy alternative to donuts? Try sushi donuts
An Australian vegan foodie has come up with a different kind of donut — one made from sushi.
Shazam-like handheld tool for font finding
This handheld tool captures typefaces — even colours — from the real world and searches for them online.
Mesmerizingly colourful quilled paper art
Quilled paper has seen a resurgence over the last few years, and it’s arguably all thanks to Yulia Brodskaya.
Fake animal facts left all over Los Angeles Zoo
If you recently visited the Los Angeles Zoo, you may have spotted some rather unusual animal facts.
IKEA ads cleverly remind us of product affordability
A reminder to their customers about how affordable their furniture really is.
Unique page load GIFs help to distract users
Stop using the same old boring spinners for your page load interfaces. Seriously.
People react to ridiculous client demands
We’ve all had them at one time or another. No, not the clap; I’m talking about the ridiculous client demands. Terrible clients come in all shapes, but in the following video, it comes in the form of a suit-wearing businessman called Matt.
Sleep under the stars (literally) in Alps open-air hotel
There is no roof, there are no walls, and not even a bathroom (at least not one closer than a 10-minute walk).
Marou chocolate bars wrapped in handmade art
The National Gallery Singapore partnered with chocolate brand Marou to create artisanal chocolate bars.
Beautiful lip art from makeup artist Jazmina Daniel
Loved by Instagram's beauty community, this makeup artist creates colourful designs on her lips.
Life’s realities summed up in humorously honest illustrations
Mexican illustrator Eduardo Salles pokes fun at the realities of modern lives with brutally honest illustrations.
The 2016 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest winners
Chosen from more than 10,000 entries worldwide, these are the best travel photos of 2016.
Learn how to escape zip-tie restraints
With a little bit of practice, it’s actually fairly easy to escape from zip-ties. Find out how.
How to increase conversions on eCommerce sites
These factors help customers decide whether or not they’ll make a purchase from your website.
Create your own furniture using SPYNDI locking sticks
You can now build your own furniture in any shape you wish with locking wooden sticks.
Ad spoof features Ryan Reynolds hanging off a helicopter
The spoof ad parodies the creative process of the ad industry by giving viewers a behind the camera look.
Water completes these bronze fountain sculptures
For the past 30 years Malgorzata Chodakowska has been creating beautiful bronze fountain sculptures.
How to step up to seniority
It's never too early to be thinking about how to advance your career to a position of seniority.