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.

RALFH at WestJet wishes you a Happy April Fools’ Day

Yes, it’s April first again. For most of us, it’s the most annoying day of the year, with people (and companies) trying hard to prank each other. In their continuing spirit of the day, WestJet has once again released its annual April Fools’ video. This year…

Swiss movement watches inspired by camera designs

Photographers might enjoy these watches that combine elements of classic and modern cameras.

The phrases heard in meetings and what they actually mean

At one point during a meeting, I’m sure someone has said something and you weren’t quite sure what the heck they were talking about. They probably used what seems like random phrases or buzzwords to mask what they really mean and sound more intelligent.

Deadpool presents a humorous testicular cancer PSA

Over the weekend the movie Deadpool brought in an estimated $150 million at the box office. And although this is the largest opening for a February movie, Ryan Reynolds—while dressed as Deadpool—took the time to talk testicular cancer.

Advertisers tease us with their Super Bowl 50 ads

Laugh or cry, here's a few of the ads that you'll see on Super Bowl Sunday.

Learn 3 ways to tie your scarf, keep warm and look good

Besides a warm winter coat — and polar bear repellent — a scarf is a gentleman’s best defence against the Canadian elements. But a scarf is much more than just frostbite protection. Tying it the right way can add boatloads of charm and personality to…

This beautiful sand clock is inspired by Zen gardens

The past, present, and future is exist as one. Yet, as a species, humans are obsessed with our perceived passage of time; its become our master. This sand clock, inspired by Zen gardens, is a calming and creative representation of both time and space. 

Clean your digital house with National Unfriend Day

Have you ever scrolled through your list of Facebook friends and realized you don’t recognize half the names popping up in your News Feed? If that’s the case, I’d like to wish you a happy National Unfriend Day!

If Google was a guy, what would you ask him?

When we want answers to a question that we don’t know, we search for it online. Google’s algorithms sort through the hundreds of billions of webpages to give us useful and relevant results in a fraction of a second.

What would McDonald’s ads be like if done like Apple?

If your advertising is really good, people will try to copy you. And if you’re ad is a little over the top, you’ll start to get a few parodies. Take Apple, for example, and Shinola’s parody of the Apple watch.

Are they sex toys or dog toys? Can you tell?

With a wide array of dog toys on the market, they come in all shapes, sizes and colours for you to have some innocent fun with Rover. But with all those different shapes, they can sometimes resemble playthings that are much less innocuous.

35+ FREE Photoshop Actions to use on your images

If you’re a designer, photographer or other creative, then you probably use Photoshop a lot. If that’s the case, then you probably know that the software has a built-in programming language that records tasks as actions that you can replay to complete repetitive tasks. Not only…

Watch: Hard-hitting PSA on smartphone use while driving

As we head into the Labour Day weekend, there will be a lot of people on the roads; either getting ready for school, or heading to the cottage one last time before the end of summer. Chances are that some of those people will also…

Carlsberg’s limited edition, beer-infused grooming products

Do you like your beer? I find it especially good on a warm summer’s day. But would you swap your favourite shampoo for beer? That’s what Carlsberg is hoping with their new line of beer-infused male grooming products created at their Copenhagen-based Carlsberg Laboratory.

What would life be like if office stock photos were real?

If you’re in advertising or design, chances are you’ve probably had to use office stock photos at one time or another. In fact, stock images are everywhere online; there’s the creative professional staring at a blank screen, the happy telemarketer flashing her brightest smile, and, who…

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.

Learn how to swear like the British

Once the use of profanities in public was outright appalling to most in general society. Nowadays, swear words like fuck, shit and bollocks are just part of normal conversation. In fact, a recent study in the UK found that people are more comfortable with swearing on television…

Plant this eco-friendly tree book to regrow a tree

A small book publisher in Argentina is offering a book that can grow back into a tree after you’re done reading it.

Humorous Pizza Hut parodies selfie stick abuse PSA

There’s probably no point in me asking if you’ve taken a selfie lately. The answer is yes, which means you’re the target audience for this new over-the-top selfie stick parody PSA from Pizza Hut.

Pizza Hut box transforms into a movie projector

Movie nights and pizza are a natural fit. That’s why Pizza Hut created a new cardboard pizza box that turns into a working movie projector powered by your smartphone.

Scientifically proven ways to flirt better

Are you looking to flirt someone special? Exactly how do we signal our sexual interest and intent in each other? It may seem trivialized, but the coquettish behaviour indulged in by men and women alike is actually vital for our general health and reproductive fitness.

Amazing 3D anamorphic graffiti that appears to be floating

Portuguese street artist Sergio Odeith can create stunning 3D graffiti optical illusions that evoke the feeling of spatial depth. However, these two-dimensional artworks uses clever perspective and shading techniques to create anamorphic masterpieces.

Watch what happens when Facebook removes everything people complain about

Facebook has over a billion users and people still find things about to complain about. And I’m not just talking about trolls sharing their personal opinions; I’m talking about the user interface for the social media platform.

Learn how to make BBQ bacon sushi

Does everything taste better with bacon? If you’re a meat lover who also happens to enjoy sushi, then you might want to take a look at this video. Created by food website COOK WITH ME.AT, it shows viewers how to make awesome-sounding BBQ Bacon Sushi.

Watch how to survive in a free falling elevator

For millions of people, riding in an elevator is an everyday occurrence. And if you’ve ever watched a disaster movie or nervously glanced at a maximum load capacity, you’ve probably wondered what how you’d survive being trapped in a falling elevator.

These walls splash pee back onto public urinators

To tackle the annoying stench and mess left behind by visitors relieving themselves on random walls in the St. Pauli neighbourhood in Hamburg, Germany, a group of residents have recently started a Peeback Project that hopes to deter public urinators.

NSFW: What would happen if Carlsberg did erotic drama

Your typical beer ad contains some form of sexual innuendo or another. But what happens if a beer company was able to blur the lines of alcohol advertising and take it to the next level? You’d get this erotic drama from Danish-brewer Carlsberg.

American Egg Board wants you to wake up to eggs and… Kevin Bacon

In its latest campaign to get Americans to start their day with eggs, the American Egg Board decided to pair eggs with back — Kevin Bacon to be exact. Actor Kevin Bacon has traded off the whole six degrees thing in ads for years, but now…

Ten creative ways to tie a necktie

These days it’s all about looking dapper. But instead of looking like everyone else, apparel website ShirtsMyWay has created a comprehensive tutorial that shows you how to tie a necktie.

How to make alcohol-infused Oreo cookies

Are dunking Oreo cookies in milk no longer giving you a thrill? If that’s the case, try a new way to enjoy milk’s favourite cookie—with alcohol.

5 ways to increase your value to your clients

Let’s face it. There are plenty of other designers or businesses out there offering products and services similar your own. So, what makes you different? What makes your clients choose you over all the other options out there?

You can now doodle on cookies with edible colour markers

When you’re a child, you’re parents tell you not to play with your food. Well, now you can draw on it instead. While I’ve previously posted about creating art on food and drink with the a spice pen, you can now let your imagination run wild…

How to make toasted marshmallow shot glasses

If you want a change from all the cookie and milk shots that you down during the holiday season, here’s a quick and simple booze-filled recipe that you can try.

Watch: Every customer service call ever

Anyone who has ever had to make a call to customer service centre can relate to the frustrations of waiting for someone to answer.

The world’s first sex commercial to promote the act

Sex is used to sell everything from automobiles to real estate, hamburgers, and everything in between. But do people really buy a product just because it has sexually stimulating imagery attached to it? And more importantly, do they respond to it regardless? 

Why designers don’t need to be told how to do their job

When design-illiterate executives get involved in the design process, it’s never a good thing. Designers often face this unavoidable scenario; various individuals wanting to contribute their two cents’ worth in the design process.

Funny ad features Sarah Silverman crowdfunding equal pay for women

According to this campaign regarding the equal pay for women, women lose out on salary to the tune of almost $30 trillion US.

Can you stand to watch the longest ad in the world?

What does a day in the life of a terminally-ill cancer patient look like; and how much of that day can you stand to watch? Clocking in at 25 hours, this ad bags the title for The Longest Ad In The World.

Learn about history’s worst contraceptives

Not to judge, but If you’re planning on having sex, wear protection. For women to protect themselves, chances are their using contraceptives like the Pill.

Hilariously profane cookbook wants you to eat like you give a fuck

These days it’s hard to eat healthy; especially with food like galaxy donuts and the secret menus at restaurants. But if you’re the type of person who’s looking for inspiration to start eating delicious and healthy food, this cookbook is for you.

A Harry Potter-inspired invisibility cloak

Invisibility is usually the stuff of science fictional, but researchers in the US claim to have created an invisibility cloak. Inspired by Harry Potter’s iconic cloak, scientists from the University of Rochester have created a cloaking device. But, unlike Harry’s cloak, the scientists used a combination of four standard lenses for…

An elegant bicycle you won’t be able to steal

Thanks to three engineering students from Chile, we can finally park and lock our bicycles safely in public areas. In The Yerka Project, the trio designed a bicycle that lets you wrap it around a pole or a tree—meaning people won’t be able to steal it.

Everything that will kill you… from A to Z

Spoiler alert: We all die in the end. The only question is, what will kill you? Will it be natural causes or something unforeseen? One thing’s for sure, there are some pretty strange ways to die. For example, there are some unconventional murder weapons; and taking…

Watch 6 easy hacks for better sex

Life hacks have occupied everything from our offices to bathrooms, closets, and kitchens. Since we’re hacking everything else these days, why not sex, too? 

A hot and sexy lingerie ad directed by Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz has returned both on and behind the camera to hawk L’Agent; the lingerie line she and her sister Monica developed for Agent Provocateur. Just like the banned fitness ad by TomTom, this lingerie ad will probably leave you hot under the collar.

A beautifully shot video shows how fedoras are made

In a society of mass production it’s easy for people to forget the importance of making something by hand. In Venice Beach, California, Nick Fouquet designs hand-crafted fedoras.

If the 90s were a movie, this would be its trailer

Has anyone else noticed that Hollywood has no new ideas? It seems all they make these days are remakes of toys, cartoons, and franchises from the 80s and 90s.

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…

Do you think about sex every 7 seconds?

It’s been estimated that men think about sex every 7 seconds. If we believe the stats, thinking about sex every seven seconds adds up to 514 times an hour. Or approximately 7,200 times during the waking day. Is that a lot? I’m not sure, but…