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.
You’ll be on the phone more with this iPhone flask
Now we can all discreetly have our favourite alcohol and look like we're on our smartphones.
10 signs to look for that you should NOT take the job
You’ve managed to finally get an interview with what you think is your dream employer. You heard they have a fantastic culture and that it’s the hippest new place to work. You’re ecstatic. It turns out, however, you never really know what it’s like on the inside until you get…
Cute illustrations that teach us random fun facts
Children's book illustrator has created a series of cute illustrations featuring information you may not know.
Popular, yet controversial, upskirt umbrellas
Japan loves its animation and has a lot of anime merchandise aimed at the market there and around the globe. Hoping to establish the theme of Crazy Japan around the world, a designer collective called Million Girls Project intends to produce everyday products with a bizarre, controversial…
Designer creates an adult colouring book of profanities
This colouring book for grownups comprises 20 curse words you can colour in for fun.
The differences between a boss and a leader
While a leader can be a boss, not every boss is a leader, though ideally they should be.
Learn some dirty talk you can use on designers
"Baby, you make my font go all cap lock."
McDonald’s unveils bold typographic packaging
McDonald’s new packaging designs for their bags, cups, and boxes feature minimalist typography.
Rose Quartz and Serenity, PANTONE’s 2016 hair colour trends
Rose Quartz and Serenity made its influence on fashion and even worked their way to hair colour trends.
Highly sexual words to add to your vocabulary
This list contains highly sexual words that describe naughty moments in life.
Be a hosting star with bacon chocolate shot glasses
The bacon is baked on a mould so that it turns crispy and retains it shape as a shot glass.
Start printing your own t-shirt designs with this DIY print shop
The DIY Print Shop T-Shirt Kit has the essential set of tools to get you started.
3 proven ways to prevent awkward conversations
Did you know that there are proven ways to prevent the conversation from turning awkward?
Micro Matter: Discover tiny worlds captured in glass tubes
Micro Matter features towering houses, buildings and trees inside glass tubes.
Interesting stats surrounding New Year’s traditions
How much do you know about New Year’s traditions?
The 6 steps to creating a captivating personal logo
The infographic offers tips on how your logo should appeal to your desired target audiences, while matching it with your personality.
Do you have a dark personality? Take this quiz to find out
Do you want to be a ruthless dictator? Psychologists believe the dark triad of personality — Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy – might help you succeed in life.
Introvert’s guide to being productive in the office
You may like your co-workers, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for you to get things done when they’re around. If that sort of sounds like you, but you’re not sure, introverts are the quiet ones that tend to feel more energized from spending time…
Stunning photos of Lake Erie’s ‘liquid mountains’
Over a four-week span, Dave Sandford captured the raw power and force of one of Canada’s Great Lakes.
Interesting Christmas traditions from around the world
This infographic lists the interesting types of food traditions, tree decorations, and gift-giving practices around the world.
Make words look good with Scrabble Typography
Winning Solutions has switched up the game of Scrabble by making Scrabble Typography.
Ad agency takes bad ideas, turns them into gifts to clients
When it comes to defining a problem, creating as many solutions as possible often leads to a few bad ideas. And while creativity is a trial-and-error process, sometimes good ideas come from the bad. At least, that’s what advertising agency Wax has discovered by brilliantly…
Beautiful nature-inspired resin jewellery by Lyuda
Lyuda combines beautiful floral elements with shreds of gold leaf, capturing them forever in her crystal-clear resin jewellery.
Get your drink on with the Homemade Gin Kit
The Homemade Gin Kit is not only easy to use, it’s also easy on the eyes, as it's also the winner of Inc. Magazine’s ‘Best in Class’ award for packaging design this year.
These are the things you do not say to a designer
Clients who communicate clearly and politely—and are willing to collaborate—get the best work from their designers. Unfortunately, not all clients are created equally. That’s why graphic designer Janie Kliever has shared a list of things you do not say to a designer.
What your favourite Christmas cookie says about you
Do you have a special kind of Christmas cookie that you love to eat during the holiday season? If so, then what does that particular cookie say about you as a person?
Still cooking the same meals? Shake up your routine with Foodie Dice
If traditional cooking leaves you feeling uninspired in the kitchen, these Foodie Dice will help get your creative juices flowing.
Gorgeous Luna Lamp looks like a full moon
The Luna Lamp is inspired by Earth's moon, and is guaranteed to make any space brighter and more poetic.
How to survive the office holiday party
We’ve entered the peak of the holiday party season and most companies are gathering to celebrate the end of a hardworking year. This is the time of year when your colleagues get hammered and make complete fools of themselves.
Humorous charts explain the life of a designer
Creative Market has come up with a series of 10 funny charts. Reflecting the life of a designer, these charts show what really happening.
What not to do when visiting certain countries
Even though some of these customs may seem queer from a foreign perspective, it’s still important to respect the culture in one’s host country.
Pantone reveals not one, but two 2016 Colours of the Year
For the first time Pantone, the global authority on colour, has announced two Colours of the Year for 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity.
Bacon up your Christmas tree with a bacon ornament
It’s a staple of many breakfasts and loved by meat eaters the world over. It has even been blamed for turning vegetarians into meat eaters. Yes, we’re talking about bacon.
Learn 3 ways to tie your scarf, keep warm and look good
Besides a warm winter coat — and polar bear repellent — a scarf is a gentleman’s best defence against the Canadian elements. But a scarf is much more than just frostbite protection. Tying it the right way can add boatloads of charm and personality to…
Test your urinal etiquette with this online game
Most men are aware of the unspoken golden rule of urinal etiquette: if possible, never stand next to another dude when peeing.
Innovative markers change tones as you colour
Artists and illustrators alike understand the need for multiple colour tones in order to create shading and gradation. However, that usually requires several different markers to accomplish the task.
2015’s fading graphic and web design trends to note
In 2015, new design trends were introduced that were quickly incorporated by many websites and graphic designers. See what's on the in and out:
An Advent calendar just for adults
When you were a kid, do you remember anticipating each new day in December leading to Christmas when you’d open up your Advent calendar to get a treat? Now that you’re an adult, wouldn’t you love to relive those feelings of joy and anticipation with…
Burger King launches illustrated Christmas packaging
With the Christmas season kicking into high gear, Burger King has announced their limited edition packaging for the festive holiday. The illustrated packaging features several colourful motifs.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: What have we learned?
Boxing Day was once the time for shopping deals to be found, but that has changed. Black Friday, once a one day tradition for bargains, now stretches from American Thanksgiving until the following Monday, now referred to as Cyber Monday.
What shoppers want and where they’ll go to buy it
This year, the hope is the lower Canadian dollar will help convince both Canadians and Americans that the best deals lie north of the border.
What to do when a client rejects your designs
You and your team have invested hours into research, insight and come up with a presentation that will blow the client away. When it comes to present the designs, you’re excited to share what you’ve all been working to show. When you’re through, you gauge…
Powerful ads warn about the dangers of child neglect
Child neglect comes in many forms. Unfortunately, behaving negligent with a child also encourages bigger problems.
This beautiful sand clock is inspired by Zen gardens
The past, present, and future is exist as one. Yet, as a species, humans are obsessed with our perceived passage of time; its become our master. This sand clock, inspired by Zen gardens, is a calming and creative representation of both time and space.
15 Ridiculous things people have put on their résumé
No résumé is perfect, but is everything on your resume 100% accurate? Most employers don’t think so. In fact, they’re becoming increasingly skeptical of what candidates claim about their skills and work history.
The truth behind glamorous Instagram photos
Social media is full of sad, lonely people pretending they are okay and perfectly fine attention-seekers pretending to be sad. Instagram photos are the most deceptive when it comes to faking our lives.
Clean your digital house with National Unfriend Day
Have you ever scrolled through your list of Facebook friends and realized you don’t recognize half the names popping up in your News Feed? If that’s the case, I’d like to wish you a happy National Unfriend Day!
5 habits that make you look unprofessional
Do one or more of your colleagues behave unprofessionally at work, leaving you to question how they even still have a job? We’re all creatures of habit and it’s hard to change the behaviours we’ve become accustomed to. But like I’m sure your mother said, “There’s a time…
A designer’s perspective vs that of non-designers
A designer’s perspective versus that of a non-designer can be a bit different. We see the world from a different point of view; the good and the bad.
Purchasing habits of the wealthy and very rich
How much do you need to make in a year to be considered wealthy? While most Americans have varying ideas on the subject, most say you need to bring in at least $1 million per year.