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.
NakeFit stick-on soles let you go barefoot
A barefoot stroll on the beach is one of the life’s simple pleasures; unless the sand is scorching hot. To get people out of their flip flops, an Italian company believes they have the perfect solution: stick-on soles.
A brutally honest take on a graphic designer’s logic
The concept of the left and right brain has become a well-known part of human psychology. While we all use both sides of the brain, each of us has a dominant side; this dominant side makes up for a huge part of our personalities. For…
McDonald’s puts its drive-thru on wheels
If you’re in a hurry, getting lunch at the drive-thru is a convenient way to get your fast food. But what if that wasn’t convenient enough for you? Well, McDonald’s isn’t going to wait for you to come to its brick-and-mortar; rather, it’s taken the initiative…
Not just a typeface, Helvetica is now a coffee
Helvetica is a sans serif typeface that’s one of the most popular in the world with designers. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that its influence has spread far and wide; but to coffee? Now that’s something you probably didn’t see coming.
Real estate ad for a $100 million mansion is basically softcore porn
You’ll hear the phrase often when you enter the advertising industry: sex sells. But do people really buy a product just because it has sexually stimulating imagery attached to it? For this US$100 million OPUS mansion in Beverly Hills, half-naked women covered in gold paint star in a…
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…
Doodles become neat line drawings instantly with Google’s AutoDraw
If you’re like me, you probably remember doodling away on the computer using Microsoft Paint, or even Corel Draw. So it’s ironic with all of the amazing things we can do on our smartphones and tablets these days, that creating a decent drawing is still difficult. However, Google’s…
Domino’s new app adds a little fun to your pizza tracking
Waiting for the pizza guy can sometimes get you anxious. Will it be here in time for the start of the game? Has he passed my house? Pizza tracking with Domino’s just became more fun via its new partnership with IFTTT. The duo, with help from…
Art created from light and long exposure photography
Each December for about 50 days, Finland’s northern region has a period were the sun never rises above the horizon. Photographer Hannu Huhtamo embraces the prolonged darkness by making it the canvas for his beautiful light-painting long exposure photos.
Penis seat installed on a Mexico City train to highlight sexual harassment
Have you ever been sexually harassed on public transit before? If you’re in Mexico City, it happens quite a bit. The United Nations and Mexico City‘s government have joined together to launch this campaign against the soaring rates of sexual harassment on the city’s public transit. How? By…
Japanese Magic Calendar looks like paper but works like an app
How do you remember when you have an important event coming up? With smartphones and smartwatches, there is no longer a need to have a calendar hanging on the wall. However, for the few who still want a physical reminder on their walls, there’s the e-paper Magic Calendar.
Designer explains how to price logo design and other services
In a 30 minute video tutorial, designer Chris Do explains how to price logo designs with real-world examples.
Burger King’s new ad tries to force Google Home to advertise the Whopper
Burger King recently unveiled a genius, yet a little infuriating video ad that’s designed to intentionally set off Google Home; the voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant.
Keep your mouth ‘Whopper Fresh’ with Burger King toothpaste
Do you enjoy the taste of a flame broiled Whopper? What if you could keep that taste in your mouth when you brush your teeth? Burger King France has cooked up a new ‘Whopper Toothpaste‘ with its agency Buzzman. Or at least, that’s what they’d…
What are the work habits of Millennials that form the majority of the workforce?
As more and more Millennials entering the workforce and assume management positions, you may notice changes in workplace culture. Why? Because there are distinct differences between generational work styles, expectations, and career perspectives.
The visually impaired can now tell time with the world’s first Braille smartwatch
Did you know that there are over 285 million visually impaired people in the world? This month, some of these lives are about to get better. South Korean developer Dot has produced the world’s first Braille smartwatch. And its features are just what you’d expect from…
Amazing sculptures made out of recycled tires
One way to cultivate creativity is to make art from things that others believe is trash. While most artists spend their money on materials like clay, paper, or paints, Blake McFarland doesn’t have this problem. Not just a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, Blake creates…
Innovative levitating timepiece counts by minutes, hours, or even years
Swedish innovation and design company FLYTE works to create levitating art and design products to inspire people all over the world. And now they’ve unveiled a unique levitating timepiece that seeks bring the idea of time back to its physical routes.
Spectacular paper pop-up sculptures
While studying graphic design in college, German artist Peter Dahmen was given an assignment to create a 3D object out of paper. Though he loved the task and the opportunity to work with his favourite medium, there was one problem: he didn’t have a safe way of transporting the…
Futura-inspired font magically adjusts to look its best as you type
Five years ago, design studio Høly created Futuracha, which started as an experimental font. Based on the Futura typeface, but with an extravagant art deco style, it was published to give creative people the chance to explore and create. The response was overwhelming.
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.
IKEA renames products after frequently Googled problems their products solve
For those searching through endless pages on Google for relationship advice, be wary. IKEA may be using your search queries for inspiration in their new brand campaign, ‘Retail Therapy’.
Smart wallet automatically separates your bills and coins
Wallets have pretty much remained the same; a pocket for your bills and a small buttoned space for your coins. But if you’ve ever struggled to keep change neatly inside their wallet, you’ll understand why this design team from Singapore came up with KIN.
Student commercial goes viral after being ignored by Adidas
Adidas is a major brand with a host of international agencies. But the advertisement below went viral on YouTube; and it wasn’t created by any of Adidas’ agencies. Eugen Merher, a student at Germany’s Film Academy of Baden-Württemberg, has made an incredibly moving advertising short.
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.
This $20,000 fountain pen is shaped like a rocket
Do you still write? Cursive handwriting and even print are starting to go the way of the dinosaurs. But if you still like to write by hand, and have a love for space, then you’ll love this fountain pen shaped like a rocket.
Bathroom spray uses real gold particles to remove odour
If a unicorn farted golden rainbows into a bottle, would you buy it? Even if it’s guaranteed to give you “the best-smelling poop of your life” or your money back? And no, you’re not having a scatological acid trip… but it might be the closest you’ll get.
Adobe releases Project Felix: 3D tools for designers
A few months ago, Adobe announced updates to their creative tools. These updates included a Windows version of Adobe XD, and a Photoshop update to take advantage of the Touch Bar in the new MacBook Pro. Along with those updates is a brand new application for…
Levitating storm cloud is actually a bluetooth speaker
Two years ago, Richard Clarkson made the Smart Cloud, a realistic-looking cloud-shaped lamp and speaker. Designed to evoke a thunderstorm, the cloud flicked and boomed out thunder, as well as functioning as a regular lamp. This time, he’s disguised a bluetooth speaker as a floating cloud.
Have a blooming marshmallow in your next hot chocolate
French pastry chef Dominique Ansel, who is famous for inventing Cronuts, has just invented your next dessert obsession. He’s developed a marshmallow that blooms into a flower when dropped in hot chocolate.
Watch: 10 novice Photoshop mistakes to avoid
If you rely on Photoshop for part of your day-to-day work, chances are that you’ve picked up some useful tips and tricks from online tutorials. And while these lessons are sure to improve your skills, it’s also useful to know what Photoshop mistakes to avoid.
Useless plastic NoPhone curbs smartphone addiction
According to Occam’s razor, the simplest solutions are oft the best. And when trying to ease smartphone addiction, it couldn’t possibly get simpler than the NoPhone. This 100% water resistant phone-shaped device is essentially a rectangular plastic slab. What does it do? Absolutely nothing save act as surrogate…
BMW unveils futuristic, self-balancing concept motorcycle
Bavarian motor company, BMW, claims motorcycle riders will soon be able to get all the thrills with none of the spills. As BMW celebrates 100 years, they’ve begun pushing forth their Vision Next series. This series is a collection of futuristic concept vehicles from Rolls-Royce, Mini and BMW.
Limited edition art supplies created by Karl Lagerfeld
Adult colouring books are currently one of the top trending items, and rightfully so. Colouring books for adults are touted as a therapeutic activity to de-stress and increase mindfulness. They’re dominating best-seller lists and compelling countless grown-ups to find art supplies to colour with.
Burger King becomes McDonald’s ghost for Halloween
Talk about being burned. A Burger King location in Queens, New York, has taken a jab at McDonald’s for Halloween. In the amusing prank, a BK restaurant was transformed into the ghost of its famous rival. The entire building was draped in white sheets, accompanied by a sign that…
Mesmerizing kinetic sand drawing tables
Condemned to roll a boulder up a mountain for all eternity, Sisyphus was a legend from Greek mythology. However, in these mesmerizing tables, Sisyphus is a kinetic sculpture that rolls a ball through sand. Under the glass top of the tables are a thin layer of sand. Beneath…
Earpiece with app can translate languages instantly
The language barrier is the most common thing that many travellers can relate to. English may be an international language, but communicating with those who don’t speak it requires some skill. So when travelling to a country where your native language isn’t spoken, don’t expect to become fluent…
Website brings kids’ drawings to life in animated movies
Most kids’ drawings are normally stuck to the wall or proudly pinned to the fridge. But thanks to an Australian TV show called Doodles, your kids’ drawings can become hilarious animated micro-movies.
Artist uses water drops to create dress designs
Plenty of fashion designers have a muse, so it’s no surprise that illustrator JaeSuk Kim employs the same idea in his stylish paintings. JaeSuk enjoys experimenting with watercolour and water drops.
KFC scented sunscreen has just launched and sold out
There’s certainly no shortage of strange beauty products on the market. Products like Burger King’s Whopper cologne or KFC’s finger lickin’ good nail polish are available for purchase. Apparently consumers can’t get enough of that finger lickin’ good fried chicken. KFC has released an Extra Crispy Sunscreen that comes…
Temporary tattoos double as app and device controls
The wearable technology market has been flourishing in recent years. As that technology grows, so to does design and innovation. In the future, even your tattoos could be much more than just ink designs.
Draw electrical circuits with this silver ink pen
This may look like just a normal marker, but it’s much more than that. However using the conductive properties of silver found in the ink, you can turn your doodles into a functioning electrical circuit.
People react to ridiculous client demands
We’ve all had them at one time or another. No, not the clap; I’m talking about the ridiculous client demands. Terrible clients come in all shapes, but in the following video, it comes in the form of a suit-wearing businessman called Matt.
Ad spoof features Ryan Reynolds hanging off a helicopter
The spoof ad parodies the creative process of the ad industry by giving viewers a behind the camera look.
Dove ad highlights women’s beauty on their own terms
7 in 10 women believe they get more compliments about their look than their professional achievements.
Talking cat collar turns kitty’s meows into speech
Temptations Lab has made a cat collar prototype that turns a cat's meows into human speech.
Amusing cancer testi-monials from a pair of testicles
Did you know that testicular cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men aged 15 to 29? Symptoms often appear as the tumour grows and causes changes in the body. The good news is that it’s also among the most treatable when caught early. But don’t just take…
Type-Cycle animated typeface uses 3D bicycle parts
This sleek typeface is created using 3D letters that are cleverly animated to showcase various bicycle components.
Brutally honest parody of makeup ads
YouTube comedy channel Cracked shows us their brutally honest parody of makeup ads.
Amusing video shows women how to ride bitch
This tongue-in-cheek tutorial video by Director Alex Vivian is your guide to female-on-female motorcycle riding.