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.

Shazam-like app identifies plants and animals in your photos

If you’ve ever gone hiking and come across plants and animals you were unfamiliar with, and wanted to know more, there’s now an app for that. You could try to describe what you see and type it into Google. But you might not get the…

Lacoste replaces iconic crocodile logo with 10 endangered species

Fashion brand Lacoste has replaced it’s iconic crocodile logo to help save 10 endangered species in a new limited edition collection of polo shirts. In partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Lacoste will release 10 different polo shirts embroidered with animals who…

Ecocapsule: The futuristic self-sustainable micro-home

With energy rates going nowhere but up, maybe you’re looking to live off-the-grid; or you’re someone who dreams of traveling with a self-sustaining mobile home. If size doesn’t matter, then the Ecocapsule might be your perfect earth-friendly dwelling.

Nature-inspired embroidery that appears to be floating

Embroidery is delicate work. But when you’re skillfully hand-stitching, it’s taken to the next level. And that’s especially true when working on net-like tulle fabric. It’s more delicate than your traditional cotton—making it less forgiving than other fabrics. However, when done well, the effect is mesmerizing.

5 best sculpture parks from around the world

In woodlands and jungles, along coastlines, and on mountaintops, sculpture has long been integrated into the world around us. However, we often think of sculptural viewing as an indoor experience, placed throughout museums and galleries. But in recent decades the concept of sculpture parks have taken off.

Treepex device transforms polluted air into fresh oxygen

Polluted air has grown 8% globally in the past five years. Now, billions of people around the world are now exposed to dangerous air; this according to data from over 3,000 cities compiled by the World Health Organization.

Sculptor uses chainsaw to turn old trees into works of at

Sculptors have a way of taking their medium and transforming it into incredible shapes and designs. And the creations from this talented Romanian artist is no exception; the only difference is his tool: a chainsaw.

Halloween-themed blue burger is filled with ants and mealworms

Australian burger chain Huxtaburger will be offering a distinctly creepy burger on Halloween. And just so you know, the extra crunch in this burger isn’t from the crispy lettuce. Rather, it’s the healthy serving of mealworms.

Giant straw animals invade Japanese fields after rice harvest

Fall is here, which means that it’s time for the harvest and the annual fairs that celebrate it. In Japanese culture waste is often minimized, especially in food. Sometimes, during the annual rice harvest, the leftover rice straw is transformed into straw animals.

Some of the best images from the solar eclipse

On Monday, August 21, 2017, millions of people across the northern hemisphere tried to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse. In fact, according to Netflix, they lost 10 percent of their usual viewership during the solar eclipse.

Discover the art of aquarium decorating

Aquarium decorating, also known as aquascaping, is the design and arranging of aquatic plants, rocks, or driftwood within an aquarium; basically, gardening under water.

Multidimensional landscapes created from hundreds of photos

Japanese artist Nobuhiro Nakanishi doesn’t believe that time can be physically grasped. However, with his latest exhibition, he shows us what it might look like if we could. Nobuhiro’s Layer Drawings series explores time, space, and memory by photographing landscapes over time.

Artist turns scrap metal into nature art

It’s true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And for this self-taught artist based in Gloucestershire, UK, scrap metal is his canvas. Dan Rawlings works with recycled tools, old vehicles, and anything else he finds; turning this scrap metal into beautiful tree and plant…

Swiss designers creates lamps inspired by pollen grains

Spring is beautiful, but it’s also a key time of year for seasonal allergies. As plants release pollen, millions of people with hay fever start to sniffle and sneeze. However, Swiss art director Regine Cavicchioli, Roman Jurt and Michael Kennedy from the Zurich University of the…

Street artist turns dirty vehicles into four-wheel masterpieces

The snow and slush of early spring are gone, but things are still a bit dirty. And chances are that your car could use a good wash to get off the dirt and grime its accumulated over the past season. Those who should, but don’t…

Geometric animal sculptures made from folded paper

The Forest Collection contains cute animals crafted out of coloured paper.

The top 10 winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2017

The Sony World Photography Awards is an annual competition hosted by the World Photography Organization. Recently, the largest photo competition in the world announced the winners for 2017. 

Beauty and the Beast inspired roses that live forever

Few things embody the magic of Disney films quite like the enchanted rose from Beauty and the Beast. With the live-action release of this classic tale opening today, what better way to gift fans than with a magical rose in a glass dome?

The destruction of wildlife illustrated in clever double exposure ads

“Destroying Nature is Destroying Life”. This is the slogan of a beautiful and powerful new awareness campaign against the destruction caused by uncontrolled industrialization. Using double exposure ads, the campaign reminds us that the destruction of nature inevitably leads to the destruction of wildlife.

Airbnb and PANTONE create green wonderland to help fight the winter blues

Airbnb and PANTONE have joined up to create a one-of-a-kind nature-filled space that brings the outdoors, inside. Inspired by the Pantone’s 2017 Colour of the Year, Greenery, the Outside In house in the heart of London, is designed to encourage visitors to embrace 2017 with fresh optimism.

Discover the complex organic paper art of Rogan Brown

Do you remember cutting paper snowflakes in school? Artist Rogan Brown has taken that simple craft and merged it with his love of complexity to create organic paper art.

Artist turns old CDs Into amazing animal sculptures

Although we’re taught from a young age not to be wasteful, a broken CD isn’t much good to anyone. In fact, CDs are pretty much obsolete these days. Unless you’re Australian artist Sean Avery that is.

Reflective poles mirror the changing tides

The movement of the water and the sound of waves has always had a calming effect on people. That’s why American artist Phillip K. Smith decided to create a project where the ocean waves are reflected, instead of being “swallowed” by their force.

Minimalist WWF ads show the impact of global warming

Climate change is already having a significant impact on global ecosystems and communities. Rising average temperatures don’t simply mean warmer winters. Some regions are already experiencing more extreme heat, cold, flooding and drought. To help raise awareness, Leo Burnett Philippines has come up with a collection of print…

Powerful ads feature animals tied up like garbage bags

An argument can be made that in order to deserve respect from other humans, you need to be human. However, with peoples deep love for animals, it raises fundamental questions about the basis of moral rights. 

Driftwood sculptures that represent the spirit of nature

Once nature has created the canvas, Debra Bernier begins her work using natural materials such as driftwood.

Hair crown looks like butterflies flying around your head

Butterflies happen to be a popular motif in the visual arts and design. Based in Ukraine, designer Iryna Osinchuk-Chajka of Eten-Iren Handmade Jewely has taken this motif and released a series of unique hair accessories.

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.

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…

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.

Cheryl Lee’s magical forest inspired jewellery

Allowing our minds to escape into fantasy can be entertaining, distracting, frightening, or even arousing. That escape into our inner world allows us to rehearse the future and imagine new adventures without risk. Thus, it allows the mind to roam freely and aid creativity.

Miniature fantasy worlds within wooden rings

No matter how much jewellery you own, chances are that you don’t own anything quite like this.

You can feel the chill from these hyperrealistic iceberg finger paintings

Zaria Forman has masterfully recreated the complex details of icebergs with nothing but her bare fingers.

Whimsical, customizable monster plant pots

Indoor plants can help fight colds and decreased coughs, sore throats, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Artist creates animal portraits on wooden canvases

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

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.

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.

Paintings on tree logs mirror their origins

You’ve seen landscape paintings before, but probably not like those I’m about to show you. New York-based artist Alison Moritsugu has created a fantastic series of paintings that capture the beauty of Mother Nature, but on tree logs.

The most Instagrammed destinations in North America

From beautifully prepared food to inspirational sunsets, travellers are passionate about documenting the world around them using Instagram. But have you ever wondered which are the most Instagrammed destinations?

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.

Adorable, brutally honest circle of life illustrations

Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and other invertebrates each have their own unique circle of life. And while all animals need to be safe and to reproduce, they also need to eat; one animal feeds off of another to survive—that’s just how it is.

Realistic glass sculptures inspired by ocean waves

Inspired by their love for nature, ocean waves and the underwater environment, Californian-based Paul DeSomma and Marsha Blaker create stunning glass sculptures and vases.

Amazing honeycomb sculptures made with the help of bees

The honeycomb sculptures are a result of this artist's beekeeping hobby.

Handmade resin bracelets made with real flowers & leaves

Do you give the gift of flowers to your special someone? If you do, instead of giving them a bouquets that will wither away after a few days, gift these beautifully bracelets instead.

Beautiful Kay Bells jewellery contains real flowers

Nature is a beautiful thing. We want the real flowers that stay in bloom forever, but it doesn’t happen. That is, until now. Designer Kay Bells, of Ruby Robin Boutique, lets you wear tiny terrariums and pieces from the natural world in her jewellery.

Synthetic Silk Leaf produces oxygen just like a real leaf

One of the main challenges of human space exploration is the lack of oxygen. Here on Earth, trees and other plants take in our carbon dioxide and changing it back to clean, sweet oxygen. But what if we could take those biological oxygen factories into space with us…

More unbelievable places on Earth

Not too long ago, I posted some of the most unbelievable places on Earth to visit before you die. Now I’m back with more places on Earth that you need to see. Check them out below.

Infographic: The world’s deadliest animals

Sharks, lions and snakes may strike fear into your heart, but they do not even come close to being the deadliest animal on earth. Of the top ten deadliest creatures to humans, most are smaller than a Toonie! And sometimes distinguishing between a cute animal and deadly…