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.

Deadpool presents a humorous testicular cancer PSA

Over the weekend the movie Deadpool brought in an estimated $150 million at the box office. And although this is the largest opening for a February movie, Ryan Reynolds—while dressed as Deadpool—took the time to talk testicular cancer.

The most bizarre hobbies from around the world

While the average people takes up a hobby like playing sports, baking — or even stamp collecting — there are a handful of unique individuals that consider these common pass-times mundane. So what do these people do instead? According to British website Gifts.co.uk, they enjoy…

Minimalist geometric dog houses for lovers of architecture

Korean brand Bad Marlon has created a series of cool modern dog houses for owners to pamper their pets.

Things that designers do to annoy clients

Designers commonly complain about how difficult clients are, but they're also guilty of being difficult to clients.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a fried Nutella ice cream ball

Nutella is quickly growing in popularity, with new recipes being invented for it all the time. For those who are new to fried ice cream, the idea of a grapefruit-sized ball of Nutella and vanilla fried ice cream adorned with crushed Maltesers is intriguing and…

Learn the reasons why men shave: A brief history

For a brief history of shaving, Prim & Prep has put together this informative infographic.

Coca-Cola’s Marvel-themed cans for Super Bowl teaser

Coca-Cola is partnering with Marvel for a Super Bowl spot that will air during the second quarter.

Advertisers tease us with their Super Bowl 50 ads

Laugh or cry, here's a few of the ads that you'll see on Super Bowl Sunday.

Amazing sculptures carved out of the tips of pencils

Using an X-acto knife and tiny chisel, pencil lead is transformed into miniature sculptures.

Comics depict the sad, but funny truth about Facebook

The series takes jabs at several features of the dominating platform. Take a look at these surprising accurate and funny situations that you should be familiar with.

Infographic: Quirky road signs from around the world

Language continues to be a barrier when travelling abroad. Travellers, however, can at least rely on the simplicity of universally designed signs to guide them on their adventures. And while most road signs will tell you the speed limit or point you in the right…

This stylish custom bicycle is guaranteed to turn heads

The Ono Bikes' Archont design comes in both electric and normal bicycles and feature a customized stainless steel frame which complements the LED lights on the rear.

Landmark rings let you wear cities on your finger

These rings are inspired by the iconic landmarks and skylines of cities around the world.

Discover 10 tempting alcoholic drinks worth trying

With all the varieties of booze that are available, why not try something different tonight?

5 tips for taking creative criticism

There's no need to go on the defensive right away. Here's how you can get through someone's feedback.

Artist creates animal portraits on wooden canvases

Kirsten Roodbergen has created lovely black and white animal portraits on slices of wood.

Funny CSS puns that web designers can relate to

Inspired by a thread on Reddit comes a list of funny CSS puns.

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.

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.

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.

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.