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.
It’s time to play Ad Agency Bingo
There’s no need to be bored at work. If you’re tired of working long hours in temperature controlled rooms while tolerating the obnoxious nomenclature, you haven’t played Ad Agency Bingo yet.
What if movies were watched in reverse?
If you’re old enough to remember sitting and wait for your VHS movies to rewind after each viewing, you’d get to see it play out quickly in reverse.
Watch: Hard-hitting PSA on smartphone use while driving
As we head into the Labour Day weekend, there will be a lot of people on the roads; either getting ready for school, or heading to the cottage one last time before the end of summer. Chances are that some of those people will also…
How to make your portfolio website stand out from the crowd
If you want to be discovered for your creative abilities, the quickest and easiest way is online. A portfolio website—with assistance from social media—is the best way to show the world what you can do. In fact, it can even help attract the attention of…
Why you should wear the same thing to work every day
Throughout the work week we’re confronted with thousands of decisions, both big and small; whether its choosing between #0099FF and #3399FF, or deciding to entirely change careers. With every decision you make, you’re using up the finite supply of mental energy allocated to you each day.…
10 key elements to create a high quality website
With Google’s ever-changing algorithm, constant waves of new technology and shifting design trends, it can be difficult to figure out what your website needs and what it doesn’t. And because your website is the online face of your business and brand, it needs to reflect…
Designer humorously responds to client request to “Make the logo bigger”
“Making the logo bigger!” is a painful punchline among designers worldwide. In fact, this common client request is loathed almost as much as “Looks great. Can you make this one minor change: try the logo with Helvetica?”
If logos were honest about the brands they represented
Logo design and branding are the best ways to create a visual touch point for products and services. But they don’t always accurately reflect the products that they stand for. And as much as we love certain brands for their visually appealing logos, what if famous brands were…
Business card etiquette and design from around the world
A business card offers a first impression of you and—by association—your business to potential clients. In fact, they’re one of the most important marketing tools you can have. Therefore, having a unique, professionally crafted business card will make you stand out from the competition. And,…
Get over 200 Windows icons for free
When Microsoft released Windows 10, it also released the icon font Segoe UI Symbol. This icon font is recommended for use by developers when designing apps on Windows 10 devices. But one design company argues that Segoe UI Symbol adds visual noise because the icons…
How big brands use colour to affect your emotions
More than just text and symbols, a logo has the power to create a lasting connection with consumers.
Humorous responses to a couple asking for Photoshop help
Although Photoshop trolling isn’t anything new, the outcome never ceases to provide a good laugh. And when you invite the Internet for Photoshop help to edit a picture, you should expect cheeky responses from people wanting to add their own sense of humour into the mix. And…
Find out how to order from a restaurant’s secret menu
Thanks to website #HackTheMenu, you can now discover unlisted menu items from fast-food restaurants.
How career choices and your personality type relate
Have you ever wondered if your personality type affects where you land a job or end up in a certain field? Did you know that your personality type can predict how much money you’ll make, how many people you’ll supervise, even if you’ll like your…
Funny graphics of 2 cows explaining economics
Economics has become increasingly relevant in our globalized society. When we think economy, we think about everything from our personal finances to business and international trade deals. Economics deals with a lot of things including money and borrowing, production and consumption, trade, employment, and much…
10 steps to becoming the perfect graphic designer
If you haven’t heard of Medium, it’s a site where you can read, write, and interact with millions of ideas and stories from around the world. 10 Steps To Becoming The Perfect Graphic Designer is a humorous tongue-in-cheek post by Philadelphia-based designer Patrick Macomber that should give…
Only designers will understand these GIFs
The design world has its ups and downs. There are pain-in-the-ass clients, the frustration of being asked to work for free, but also the little victories you can achieve during a project. So, to highlight these ups and downs, Creative Market has put together a collection of animated…
Save dinner with this handy Kitchen First Aid Kit poster
Cooking dinner can be an intimidating task, whether you’re single and on your own. But it’s also an invaluable skill to have. And while cooking at home not only saves your wallet, but it can also make a difference in your waistline.
10 tips to improve your design portfolio
You'll never know what opportunities you missed out on because someone landed on your tired, old portfolio.
Infographic: The five levels of business attire
Believe it or not, dressing for work is a tricky business and many people actually do it wrong. In fact, picking the proper business attire doesn’t depend solely on your rank in the company, but your age and the type or work you do as…
Carlsberg’s limited edition, beer-infused grooming products
Do you like your beer? I find it especially good on a warm summer’s day. But would you swap your favourite shampoo for beer? That’s what Carlsberg is hoping with their new line of beer-infused male grooming products created at their Copenhagen-based Carlsberg Laboratory.
Is your website design following this year’s colour trends?
Trends come and go in all aspects of the design industry, as do the colour trends that go along with them. So far, this year has been all about vibrant colours. Hues like red, orange, pink and bright green, blue and purple have become a focal point and…
Clever ads show how smartphone obsession hurts those around us
According to researchers, the average person is so engrossed in their smart device that they can no longer accurately read how people are feeling. Those same people also have such an obsession with their devices that they’ve forgotten how to properly interact with people in…
Depicting the struggles of ad agency creatives through admojis
Emojis have become part of today’s written language. They’re used to show off our emotions and expressions in a way that’s easier than words alone. In fact, 92 percent of the online community use emojis. But they don’t express enough when it comes to advertising…
Pantone predictions for the fall are down to earth
It’s hard to believe that summer is half over. Designers of all industries need to start preparing their creative juices this fall with the latest Pantone predictions for the upcoming season.
This book shows you how to fold sex-themed origami
If you really want to impress people with artistic paper folding skills beyond making paper airplanes, origami is the way to go. Origami is the art of paper folding and normally features animals shapes, flowers, and other designs. However, if standard origami is a bit too boring…
How typography can help boost a brand
To creatives and designers, typography has never played a more crucial role to boost a brand than it does today. Your brand is more than a logo; it’s the emotion that consumers associate a brand with when using your product or service.
What would life be like if office stock photos were real?
If you’re in advertising or design, chances are you’ve probably had to use office stock photos at one time or another. In fact, stock images are everywhere online; there’s the creative professional staring at a blank screen, the happy telemarketer flashing her brightest smile, and, who…
Infographic: 15 gentleman’s rules in dressing
Dressing well is more than simply making sure your clothes match. That’s where men’s fashion blog Fashion Stork has come up with an infographic titled ‘15 Gentleman’s Rules In Dressing’.
How to endorse yourself during a job interview
Does the mere thought of a job interview make you feel stressed? Are you worried about the types of questions the interviewer is going to throw at you or saying something stupid? This stress can push us to tell lies during an interview.
Funny puns containing the true meaning of words
Every word has a definition, but that doesn’t mean we use them in their proper context; the true meaning of words aren’t always the same as what we say. As part of an ongoing project, Sam Omo—better known as DOWNSIGN—has illustrated the meaning of words,…
How to become a UI designer or UX designer
If you’re looking to start a career as a designer, you”ll quickly be overwhelmed by the number of titles thrown around. There are user experience (UX) designers, user interface (UI) designers, motion designers, product designers, graphic designers and so on.
Responsive design explained with animated GIFs
Do you know the difference between responsive design and adaptive design? There’s some argument over whether responsive or adaptive designs are better. Regardless, responsive design is the solution most chosen for multi-screen problems. That means designers need to become familiar with the concepts and basic principles for responsive…
Infographic: The anatomy of a successful résumé
Are you looking for work? Have you polished up your résumé? With potential employers only looking at résumés for an average of 6 seconds, you need a successful résumé that stands out from the rest.
The most admired typefaces by world-renowned designers
If you could use just eight typefaces, which would you choose?
How to be the jerk on your design team
When you’re working on your own, there’s a sense of freedom to do things your way on your time. However, if you’re working as part of a design team, it’s easy for personalities to clash.
Discover the most popular summer shoe styles for men
When it comes to warm-weather shoe styles, it’s all about keeping cool—in every sense of the word. But even though some styles are off the table, options abound.
Emerging logo design trends to look for this year
A trend report by LogoLounge has revealed the some of the biggest visual styles and influences in logo design for 2015. The report also reveals how the advent of new digital devices has changed designers’ approaches to creating stylish, memorable logos.
Gigantic mirrored letters that reflect their surroundings
San Francisco Design Week is the Bay Area’s largest design event, bringing together thousands of people across every discipline of design for a week of events, talks, and open-studios. As part of their Look Closer campaign, branding and design agency Character has created a series of gigantic…
Learn the best ways to photograph a moving object
Do you have problems shooting a moving object with a camera? It’s not just the speed of your subject that counts, it’s where you stand and the angle you shoot from.
The truth about the funny little lies designers tell their clients
Clients, while a necessary evil, are part of a designer’s life. Sure, they make up excuses to try to get cheaper work. And yes, they often make ridiculous demands. But designers don’t always tell their clients the truth either.
Architectural optical illusion makes church disappear
You don’t need to be a religious person to appreciate the architectural designs of churches and mosques. However, the design of this church in Borgloon, Belgium, has baffled locals. The building appears whole from one angle, but appears to dissolve into thin air from another.
Infographic: What does your style of beer says about you?
As we head into Canada Day, with all the celebrations I thought that it would be a good time to talk about beer. Everyone has their own go-to brew. Whether yours is a light lager or a dark ale, your style of beer reveals more than…
The top 10 fonts designers love to hate. Is your on the list?
There are certain fonts that designers love to hate for one reason or another—either due to their overuse or ugliness. Sometimes it’s because of just a few characters; sometimes it’s the whole design.
28 bizarre vending machines from around the world
Vending machines have evolved from the days of old candy and stale coffee; they’re now changing the way we live our lives. But if you think they still only stocked with snacks, think again. These days, vending machines distribute all sorts of goods.
Artist transform famous paintings into Batman-themed pop art
A massive Batman fan, Los Angeles-based artist Vartan Garnikyan has been putting his love of the Caped Crusader on canvas. Vartan’s transformed famous paintings, duplicating their styles and turning them into Batman-themed pop art.
What not to say on your first day at work
It's natural to want to fit in. However, many people end up trying too hard, and talk when they should listen.
The 2 types of email users: Which are you?
All email users have their own unique habits, it seems. I’ve known some who have to read every single email that comes through their inbox. And I’ve known others who have completely opposite habits, only checking what’s at the top… sometimes.
A device that simulates tomorrow’s weather in a box
There are plenty of weather apps that you can download to see tomorrow’s conditions, but where’s the fun in that? Designed by Ken Kawanmoto, this fascinating weather device elegantly simulates tomorrow’s forecast in a small translucent box.
Infographic: 6 tips on managing negative social media comments