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.

Ad agency leases women’s armpits as advertising space

We’ve gone from being exposed to about 500 ads a day back in the 1970’s to as many as 5,000 a day today. But, if you think the saturation of advertisements in cities like London, New York or Japan are heavy now, just wait. An idea that literally goes to the…

Shutterstock comes to the rescue in witty print ad campaign

Stock photography website, Shutterstock is used by designers and agencies the world over. And to highlight their coming to the rescue of those creatives, Dominican Republic ad agency Cazar DDB has created a trio of witty print ads to promote the stock photography company and its offerings.

Google marketing overhaul could put marketers out of business

This year is set to be an important one for advertisers currently using Google’s digital marketing services. On June 27 Google turned the digital marketing world on its head when it announced a complete rebrand of its advertising products.

Facebook’s new AI ‘opens’ eyes in photos where they’re shut

It’s a common problem with having your photo taken: your smile is wide but your eyes shut just as the flash goes off. Not to worry, though. Facebook’s new AI can now open your eyes in photos where they’re closed.

McDonald’s & KFC begin phasing out plastic straws

McDonald’s & KFC are the latest restaurant chains to join the war against plastic and phase out plastic straws across several of their outlets. However, this will most likely only be in their in overseas markets. This follows earlier news from McDonald’s claiming they’re “really close” to the point where…

BK pulls lifetime Whopper ad to women impregnated by a World Cup player

Burger King Russia sparked outrage with an appalling ad campaign posted on their official social media account. The promotion promised a reward of 3 million Rubles (CDN$62,715) and a lifetime supply of Whoppers for any Russian woman impregnated by a World Cup player.

KFC to test vegetarian fried chicken with the Colonel’s famous recipe

Vegetarians won’t have to opt for only fries the next time their friends want to go to KFC. The iconic chicken brand says it’s cooking up a new, healthier recipe; one that will be missing the restaurant chain’s most famous ingredient: chicken.

Colour outside the lines with Crayola Beauty makeup

If you thought Crayola crayons were just for kids, you wouldn’t be correct. Children’s crayons have long been an inspiration for makeup brands, and today Crayola is releasing it’s own line of makeup aimed at adults.

Infographic: 32 tips for successful mobile marketing

Mobile devices have transformed the way people engage with brands. Not only do 80% of internet users own a smartphone, but they also spend 60% of their online media consumption time on mobile platforms. From opening your marketing email to reading a post on your…

Fruit of the Loom has a message for shirtless selfie men on Instagram

For men on social media, the shirtless selfie has become a ubiquitous calling card, shamelessly saying, “Here I am! See me! Notice me! ‘Like’ me!” Clothing brand Fruit of the Loom has taken notice and are worried that men’s lower-quality shirts are being #ripped and #shredded.

Kentucky Fine China bucket celebrates the royal wedding

If you weren’t lucky enough to attend the royal wedding between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry or catch it on TV, you can still commemorate it. How you ask? With a KFC commemorative porcelain bucket.

Cherry blossom tree made from over 800,000 LEGO bricks

Each spring, people visit Japan to see the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. And while they unfortunately only bloom for a short period, there’s one place where you can see a cherry blossom in constant bloom: LEGOLAND® Japan.

Volkswagen anti-texting & driving campaign turns crashed cars into phone cases

Taking your eyes off the road while driving, even for a second, could lead to disaster. When it comes to distracted driving, texting is becoming the number one concert. In fact, Canadians say that texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to their personal…

IDEA is an IKEA parody that stocks items they would never think of

Swedish giant IKEA has successfully turned flat-pack furniture into the gold standard for household products. With hundreds of stores in dozens of countries, the Swedish brand sells a multitude of different items, including furniture for pets.

New survey finds people cannot correctly remember food brand logos

Despite millions spent on marketing, a new study by Kitchen Cabinet Kings finds that very few consumers can accurately remember food brand logos of the most well-known companies.

Facebook is testing expiring friend requests

The new test feature from Facebook drives the point home that some friendships just aren’t made to last. Like Snapchat’s time-sensitive messages, Facebook now has expiring friend requests.

Target’s new logo for womenswear line is confusing shoppers

Target, known for its iconic red bullseye logo, has decided to ditch its heritage clothing brands in favour of a brand-focused strategy that includes more niche offerings. According to Target, the new line will carry versatile pieces that allow shoppers to mix-and-match. The clothes will also emphasize on quality,…

Bold yet minimalist Adidas footwear inspired by architecture

Sometimes, architectural influences seep past the walls and into other mediums. Adidas has borrowed from the grid designs of urban planning, architecture and nature, once featured in its silhouettes from the 80s. Their new footwear, the Deerupt, embraces a fresh take on the concept for 2018.

LEGO to launch first ever plant-based plastic pieces

Later this year, LEGO will be launching new botanical elements such as leaves, bushes and trees made from a plant-based plastic. In the company’s bid to reduce their plastic waste, the new pieces will be made with a plant-based material sourced from sugarcane.

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…

Artist accuses Domino’s Pizza of plagiarism

They say that great artists steal, while poor artists borrow; and this often leads to accusations of plagiarism. In fact, companies have been caught on several occasions plagiarizing other artists work for their own gains.

LCBO pays agency CDN$650,000 for Ontario Cannabis Store logo

This week, the corporate branding for Ontario’s soon-to-be legal marijuana stores was unveiled by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) will be the brand name of Ontario’s cannabis agency, including its stores and online channel.

Pringles releases limited edition Ramen flavour

Two college staples have united in one cardboard tube of dehydrated snacks. Pringles has teamed up with Nissin, producers of Cup Noodles, to make a limited edition Top Ramen Chicken–flavoured Pringles potato chips.

Instagram and Snapchat disable Giphy after racist GIF surfaces

Both Instagram and Snapchat have temporarily disabled their Giphy GIF sticker features after reports of a racist GIF on the platforms surfaced.

Coca-Cola to launch its first alcoholic drink

Coca-Cola isn’t just about soda, they sell many different beverages including water, flavoured sugar water, milk, iced tea and more. In fact, in the early days of the company from 1886 – 1929, Coca-Cola even had cocaine in it. However, alcohol has never been on that…

Johnnie Walker releases Jane Walker to attract women

Johnnie Walker is the latest company to a release female version of its product. In an attempt to draw more women to the world’s bestselling scotch, as well as acknowledge a broader push toward gender equality, Johnnie Walker has released Jane Walker.

Instagram trial lets users see who takes screenshots of their stories

Instagram recently began testing a new feature that Snapchat helped make famous: notifying users when other people take screenshots of photos and videos in Instagram Stories.

Suit company loses thousands of online followers after releasing same-sex ads

Most companies try to avoid controversy. While it does get you a lot of press, there are too many chances for it to go wrong. Regardless, Amsterdam-based menswear company SuitSupply gave it a shot.

5 tips to attract clients with your LinkedIn profile

When a company is looking to hire you to their team, they often vet you online first. During this cyber investigation, your LinkedIn profile will typically show up in the first three to five results. You now have the opportunity to control what they find about…

Burger King educates customers on Net Neutrality with the Whopper

The repeal of Net Neutrality is a major issue that will significantly affect the average internet user. However, many people still don’t fully understand what it means. So, how best to explain the repeal of Net Neutrality? Burger King has decided to help and explains it…

Spice up your Valentine’s with KFC’s chicken scratch & sniff cards

This Valentine’s Day, KFC wants you to send your crush a special card. To show your loved ones how much you care, give them a fried chicken scratch & sniff Valentine’s Day card featuring Colonel Sanders.

The top 5 commercials from the 2018 Super Bowl

By now you probably know that the Eagles upset the Super Bowl favourites, the Patriots. But, if you watched the Super Bowl mainly for the new commercials, you probably got to see the best and worst that money can buy.

KFC breaks gender barriers by introducing female Colonel Sanders

Last week, KFC launched its first ever female Colonel Sanders. In the chicken chain’s latest marketing campaign, they feature country singer Reba McEntire playing the iconic Colonel. However, rather than making Colonel Sanders a woman, they opted to have her dress up as a man,…

It’s a fine line between creepy and creative advertising

Is consumer privacy dying? The short answer is no. In the data-gathering industry, most companies recognize consumers’ privacy concerns and engage in responsible data management. However, brands are starting to push the boundary between creepy and creative by using consumers personal info in their advertising.

You can now have a career as an Instagram Butler

It used to be that if you wanted to take photos when you went on vacation you had to carry around a clunky camera. Now, with cameras on every smartphone, people can take photos easier; and people love to take photos. In fact, the advent…

Yogurt and Cola are the newest odd flavours by Pringles

When it comes to potato chips, there are plenty of flavours available for you to choose. And in an increasingly competitive market, having new and unique flavours helps to bring in new consumers. However, potato chip brand Pringles has surprised its fans with the most…

IKEA encourages you to pee on its ad

IKEA has come up with an ingenious way to get would-be parents into their Swedish stores. They’ve created a magazine ad that you pee on to determine if you’re pregnant.

Drake-themed chicken wing bar makes its way through Scotland

Last month, a chicken wing pop-up bar rolled into Finnieston’s DockYard Social in Scotland. What makes that unique? A Wing and a Prayer is a Drake-themed bar where you can enjoy a night out and have some wings.

Spotify reveals 2017 users’ most embarrassing listening habits

The popular streaming service Spotify has once again erected a number of billboards that expose the shameless listening habits of some of its users. Titled 2018 Goals, the new campaign proves that clearing out your “recently played” just isn’t enough anymore. 

Facebook rolls out face recognition to protect your privacy

Facebook wants you to know about and control the photos of you that people upload—even if they don’t tag you. Much like the social media company wanting you to upload your nudes, the purpose of this update is to protect users’ privacy.

KFC launches festive bucket designs created by 5 artist collectives

Just in time for the holidays, KFC has unveiled a series of six new limited edition festive bucket design. Forgoing KFC’s typical festive campaign, this year they’ve decided to put their iconic bucket in the spotlight.

What marketers need to know about mobile ad fraud

Mobile ad fraud continues to be a detrimental problem for marketers and the entire digital advertising ecosystem. For those not familiar, mobile ad fraud happens when an individual or group attempt to defraud advertisers, publishers or supply partners by exploiting mobile advertising technology. Their objective is…

KFC debuts fried chicken-scented bath salts

If you’ve had a stressful day, perhaps you enjoy relaxing in the tub with some scented bath salts. To most people, a smell isn’t just a fragrance—it’s a memory. And if you’re hankering for the smell of chicken, KFC’s latest addition might make your day batter. 

Faded Footprints illustrated series highlights destroyed landmarks

The landscape shapes our sense of place on Earth, yet it’s constantly changing. The forces of wind, water, sun, and, yes, humans, combine to transform the world around us. In fact, in the last 50 years alone, hundreds of scenic natural landmarks around the world have…

Facebook wants your nude pictures, but for a good reason

Facebook—who can’t seem to control its own content—hopes we’ll trust it with our nude pictures. It’s an interesting, yet brazen plan they have to try to combat revenge porn.

Burger King serves up an effective anti-bullying PSA

If you saw someone being bullied, would you say something? That was the premise of an effective anti-bullying experiment conducted by Burger King in honour of National Bullying Prevention Month.

BK trolls McDonald’s with free Whoppers to those dressed as clowns

If you have coulrophobia (a fear of clowns), then you might want to stay away from Burger King this Halloween. Last year’s panic over creepy clown sightings and the recent success of the reboot of It have created a buzz around clowns, and now BK is getting in on the action.

Giant London billboard knows your car, even how you’re feeling

Many drivers and pedestrians have become used to tuning out billboard advertisements. But what if those billboards could serve up ads to you based on your vehicle, or even how you’re feeling? One London billboard is trying just that.

Getty bans Photoshopped images that alter models’ body shapes

Taking effect back on October 1st, Getty images updated its Creative Stills Submission Requirements. The new requirements specify they will no longer accept images of models whose bodies have been Photoshopped; either to look thinner or larger.

Facebook faces backlash after banning ad of a woman shaving her legs

We’ve all heard stories of Facebook and Instagram banning posts and advertisements that contain nudity. Their reasoning is that it’s adult content and not suitable for some of their users. Fair enough. However, sometimes it seems as though they pick and choose which posts they take down. The latest…