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.

KFC teams with Huawei to release a limited edition smartphone

Who needs Apple and Tim Cook? Colonel Sanders is launching a limited edition smartphone with Huawei in China; a red smartphone that comes complete with a Snapdragon processor and fingerprint scanner.

Google algorithm erases watermarks from stock images

As designers, when mocking up concepts for our projects, we tend to use plenty of stock images. Instead of buying images the client might not like, we use watermarked images to try before we buy. However, showing watermarks on our concepts look ugly and we…

How to start marketing with little to no budget

Unfortunately, starting out really isn’t as easy as becoming an overnight sensation. As much as we think and hope that our product or service will be an instant hit, that doesn’t happen. When it comes to getting your name out there, startup marketing is a…

To combat harassment, women are buying anti-pervert flamethrowers

Assaulting women is never the right thing. And now, would-be sex attackers could end up burnt or even disfigured by flamethrowers being marketed at women in China.

Font Map helps designers find relationships between Google Fonts

Typography enthusiasts can identify most fonts by name. However, it’s always useful to explore fonts using visual similarities – in case you wanted to shake things up a bit. Every typeface has its merits; hell, even Comic Sans work as an attention-grabber because it’s so despised. But with…

Google successfully teaches AI to edit images like a pro photographer

Can a machine be trained to edit images that most people would think were shot by a professional human photographer? That’s what Google is trying to figure out with a machine learning research project.

Creative apps that stole the show at the Apple Design Awards 2017

Each year, Apple honours the achievements of some of its most creative and talented developers at its Worldwide Developers Conference. This year’s Apple Design Awards comprise a variety of games that use the company’s hardware and rendering technologies in unique ways. It also showcased productivity apps with…

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.

When to use Adobe Photoshop vs Lightroom

If you deal with a lot of photography, you need to know what to do with it. So whether you’re a photographer or a graphic designer, which software should you be using for your design project? Adobe Photoshop vs Lightroom: which one is better? The truth is,…

Mixxtape portable music player works like a cassette

Dallas-based company Mixxim brought the cassette tape into the 21st century with the Mixxtape.

Electric wallpaper doubles as a power source

Decorating your home with wallpaper gives you a wide array of looks: from country charm to traditional warmth. However, design, art, and technology are all intertwined in this new electric wallpaper. Co-developed by wallpaper company Flavor Paper and design firm UM Project, sounds, lights and motions are combined 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…

Fotojet: An online graphic design tool for non-designers

For people who are serious about content marketing, but are design-challenged, this online graphic design software is up your alley. FotoJet is a popular and useful online tool for photo editing, graphic design and photo collages. So, if you want high-quality graphics but don’t have an Adobe…

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.

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. 

Guetzli by Google reduces the size of JPEG files, making image transfers quicker

If you’re into digital photography and hate the wait for transferring JPEG files, this announcement is for you. Google has introduced a new algorithm that will make it possible to reduce the size of JPEG images by about 35%, without reducing the quality.

The top 5 free infographic makers available online

When you have over a billion websites to choose from, along with the distractions of day-to-day life, getting consumers attention, and keeping it, is hard. With a staggering amount of information generated daily, people don’t have time to read an endless page of online content. In fact, most users will leave…

Designer builds a gun that transforms tears into bullets

After an altercation with her tutor, this design student built a gun that fires her tears.

Minimalist cassette player aims to bring back glory days of physical media

It was the musical medium of choice through much of the 1980s and ‘90s. And while cassette tape sales are still tiny compared to vinyl, they’re up. It’s one of the fastest-growing musical formats in terms of sales and record labels have been quick to jump…

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 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…

Where do you fall in the 7 circles of developer Hell?

Unfortunately, like most jobs, the work of a developer isn’t all sunshine and lollipops. It’s filled with unique frustrations that only other developers would be able to relate to.

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.

Top 10 websites to get free images

Images and photography has always been an integral part of design. Unfortunately, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing unrealistic stock images of people smiling at the camera while performing a task. Not only that, but it can get rather expensive if you’re constantly purchasing images from…

Ingenious Heng Balance Lamp has an engaging UI

If you still prefer to use your hands to turn the lights on, then the Heng Balance Lamp is the most creative ideation of the light switch in years.

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. 

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.

Website design and UX trends for 2017

Trends are known to change in all creative fields, with website design being no different. More than ever before, everything in web design, from imagery to navigation, to content, must serve a purpose.

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.

Modern light fixtures turn into animals when illuminated

When award-winning Tel Aviv-based designer Chen Bikovski was growing up, she was fascinated by pop-up books. Mesmerized with the experience of three-dimensional storybooks, she transformed this idea into her design practice.

Count down 2017 with a Scandinavian inspired calendar

Calendars usually take the form of small pads or wall hanging posters. Easily visible, they take up minimal space, making them ideal for office use. Now there’s a three-dimensional alternative that you can put on your desk, ready for 2017.

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.

Ride in style with hologram-like display for bicycle wheels

Do enjoy riding your bicycle? I’ve previously done a few posts on bike technology that you should check out; like Poland’s glow-in-the-dark bicycle path or even the world’s first spokeless smart bike. But if you want to stay safe when biking at night or in the evening and want…

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…

Poland unveils glow-in-the-dark bicycle path

In a world where cities are looking for eco-friendly infrastructure solutions, new bicycle lanes are constantly being added. Seeking to make the bicycle path safer and more accessible in the evening and at night, urban planners in Lidzbark Warminski, Poland just unveiled a new glow-in-the-dark bicycle…

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…

Laceless running shoes designed by BMW and PUMA

Amidst the hype surrounding the recent re-release of the Nike Mag self-tying shoes, BMW and PUMA have partnered up to create a pair of laceless shoes. These running shoes incorporate technology from BMW’s GINA Light Visionary Model concept car.

What web designers can learn from the fashion industry

Buying clothes online is a risky venture, since much of shopping is knowing how the apparel feels and fits your body. One of the best ways to persuade people to buy clothes online is by being very meticulous. That’s why fashion industry websites are on top of…

Cyclotron is the world’s first spokeless smart bicycle

Decades after the original Tron hit cinemas, it’s still influencing futuristic designs. The design of this smart bicycle is unmistakably based on Tron’s Light Cycle – namely its two illuminated, spokeless wheels. And if you’re riding the Cyclotron, you’ll probably feel like you’re cruising through a futuristic landscape.

Make reading magical with glow-in-the-dark bookmarks

Want to find your book in the dark? These bookmarks glow in the dark after briefly being exposed to light.

Everyday Backpack surpasses Kickstarter goal by 1200%

With comfort and functionality as priorities, lots of people now use backpacks for their everyday commute. Just throw it over the shoulders and go. You probably think that there’s not a lot of room to improve here. Well, that’s where you’d be wrong. These new Kickstater backpack is designed…

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. 

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…

Shazam-like handheld tool for font finding

This handheld tool captures typefaces — even colours — from the real world and searches for them online.

Unique page load GIFs help to distract users

Stop using the same old boring spinners for your page load interfaces. Seriously.