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.
How to turn one colour into hundreds of interesting palettes
Watch this video to see that you don’t have to be an expert in colour theory to create a myriad of colour palettes.
McDonald’s apologizes for splitting golden arches to portray social distancing
A marketing gimmick for McDonald’s Brazil saw the Golden Arches split apart with the two halves away from each other.
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.
Is imposter syndrome affecting your earning potential?
Imposter syndrome is that annoying feeling of self-doubt you may feel every time you reach a new level of success.
Artists create elaborate baroque-inspired wigs made of paper
This talented duo works with paper to create eccentric headpieces, masks, and other wearable sculptures.
Have an idea for an unconventional living space? Airbnb could give you US$100K to build it
If you’ve ever dreamed up an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind home, now’s your chance to bring it to life.
National winners of the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards
The National Awards are a way for the contest to showcase talent from all countries that submitted work.
Get creative advice from 11 of the world’s top architects
These famous architects demonstrate how to excel in any creative endeavour.
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.
Coca-Cola uses optical illusion so you see its iconic bottle
Coke believes it’s so iconic that our brain needs little to feel it — and to desire it.
Scrap metal becomes life-size animal sculptures
Artist takes these screws, nuts, and bolts and assembles them into human and animal forms.
Old Spice Guy returns 10 years later as an uncool dad
Old Spice gets back on the horse to mark the 10 year anniversary of its “Smell Like a Man, Man” campaign.
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.
Burger King offers free Whoppers for a photo of your ex
Burger King is helping people move on by trading a free Whopper for a photo of a past flame.
Artist transforms rocks into highly realistic animals
Where others might see a simple stone, Akie Nakata sees an animal waiting to be revealed by paint.
No logo. No images. But you know these are McDonald’s ads
There aren't many brands that could pull off a campaign with no images, products or even a company logo.
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.
Oil paintings that pay homage to prehistoric animals
While this artist's work is diverse, her favourite subjects are actually extinct and prehistoric animals.
Planters kills off Mr. Peanut after 104 years
Known for his top hat, cane and monocle, the famous mascot apparently sacrificed himself in a pre-Super Bowl ad.
KitKat reminds hobbyists to ‘Have A Break’ with DIY model kits
KitKat continues to remind us to "Have a Break," with their latest campaign directed at hobbyists.
Tinder adds panic button & other safety features
Tinder's new additions are meant to provide security for its users, both online and in real life.
Artist uses her thigh as an ink drawing canvas
Artist Randa Haddadin creates amazing ink drawings on a reusable canvas — her thigh.
Is out-of-home the future of video advertising?
While marketers begin to lose ground on TV and smart devices, other opportunities are opening up in DOOH.
Pixelated wooden faces reveal complexities of the human spirit
This artist uses vibrantly painted wooden sticks that, when combined, turn into pixelated wooden faces.
Burger King offers Harry & Meghan its crown
BK is asking Harry and Meghan to don a different kind of crown — one of the paper variety.
Pepsi blurs boundaries with new coffee-cola drink
Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Pepsi Café has nearly twice the caffeine as regular Pepsi.
Ortal Sachs designs a surprisingly comfortable stone chair
This young industrial designer has developed and designed what appears to be a chair made of stone.
Volkswagen hides a showroom in the snowy north of Sweden
VW has "hidden" a showroom for the Passat in the snowy wastes of Scandinavia. First to find it wins it.
Artist quits day job to draw hyper-realistic ocean waves
Bethany quit her day job to become a full-time artist, quickly gaining attention from art enthusiasts & collectors.
Get paid quicker with these 10 invoicing software solutions
If you're a freelancer, make sure you get paid on time by choosing the right invoicing software for your needs.
Shutterstock’s 2020 colour trend report
As we look to 2020, there's a shift from the neons of 2019 to more bold and saturated colours.
M&M’s steals KFC’s “Finger-Lickin’ Good” slogan
M&M's chocolate bar filled melts in your hand too, so the company hijacks KFC's slogan for 48 hours.
5 ways to flip your fear of office arguments
Have you ever been in a disagreement and thought, “This person just doesn’t get it”? It may be true.
Beautifully designed staircases that are a step above
Whether grand or compact, staircases showcase the endless design possibilities that exist.
Provocative Cadbury Fingers ad raises eyebrows
Each Christmas, British discount chain finds a way to offend shoppers with its crude, sexual advertising.
How to tell if you’re in a toxic work environment
Find out if you're in a toxic work environment and learn some coping strategies.
Giant Japanese dragon sculpture made from wood & leaves
This tremendous dragon sculpture features braided vines and dried palm leaves, as well as wooden teeth.
Words that matter in holiday marketing
Is your marketing calendar stuffed full of holiday-ready content ideas?
Illustrated toilet paper kids can colour with their poo
A Japanese company has created illustrated toilet paper that kids can “colour” with their poo.
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.
Boston Pizza delivers a carolling pizza box
Boston Pizza is delivering its Christmas Pizza in a box that sings Christmas carols.
View the awe-inspiring 2019 SIPA contest winners
Photographers from 161 countries have submitted their most daring, breathtaking photos.
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?
435 bird illustrations by John James Audubon available for free
You have an opportunity to download 435 free high-resolution images of bird illustrations for free.
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.
How would you like to get paid $6,800 a year to try on slippers?
Thanks to Bedroom Athletics, you can wear slippers while chilling at home — and get paid doing it.
Get wings delivered weekly with KFC’s ‘Seasoned Tickets’
KFC's fried chicken-scented Seasoned Tickets come just in time for football season.
Thought-provoking fragmented sculptures pop up across Venice
These sculptures resemble incomplete human forms that blend into their locations.