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.
Funny and honest food pyramid for different age groups
Everyone is aware that they should be eating a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In fact, we learned this in elementary school when we were taught the food pyramid.
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.
Bloomberg reveals the deadliest jobs in America
What do you think are the deadliest jobs where you are? Since America introduced the Occupational Safety and Health Act back in 1970, workplace standards have improved. However, while job fatalities have declined by more than 60 percent since then, some jobs remain far more…
Phone etiquette rules every professional should follow
Presenting a professional image, both on the phone and in person, is very important.
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.
10 humorous confessions of a guilty designer
Even if you're a diligent designer, you've probably committed at least one or two design sins.
How to impress your partner in the bedroom
Whether you’re in a relationship or a bit of a player, everyone wants to impress their partner in the bedroom. That’s why Carvaka has created an infographic that lists 10 different methods to impress both women and men.
21 things worth the price of a Gold Apple Watch
Apple products are overpriced; iPhones are marked up 300%, but people still line up the day before to get their hands on one. And by now you’ve heard the outrageous price tag of the Gold Apple Watch which ranges from CDN$13,000 to $22,000.
Things clients say when wanting cheaper work
There’s no doubt that you’ll come across clients who make ridiculous demands. And sure, designers might tell little lies to avoid having to deal with those demands. But what do you do when a client comes to you wanting cheaper work?
Boost your creativity with meditation pods
If you’re feeling stressed or having trouble sleeping because you’ve hit a creative block, maybe its time to try a Float Tank. Also known as floatation therapy, REST therapy (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) or sensory deprivation, floating involves lying in a pitch-black tank containing a salt-water…
7 common sleep mistakes you don’t know you’re making
Are you a restless sleeper or do you have trouble sleeping? Common sleep mistakes you’re making might mean you’re not getting enough sleep, which can harm our health; it’s essential if we want to be productive throughout the day.
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.
Burger King cologne wants you to smell like a Whopper
Do you really enjoy the smell of Burger King’s Whopper? I mean really enjoy it? Well, now you can walk around smelling like a Whopper all day with a cologne called Flame-Grilled. The fragrance, released by Burger King Japan, will be on sale starting April…
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…
Infographic: Handshakes around the world
Most people understand that you have one chance to make a first impression. How you give your handshakes and/or greetings are part of that impression. Giving handshakes, however simple it sounds, can mean serious business, especially when different cultures have their own rules about how…
Clever posters to learn fun facts about your body
Who doesn’t love the cool information featuring weird did you know fun facts about the human body? For instance, the human eye is so sensitive that if the Earth were flat, you could spot a candle flickering at night from up to 30 miles away.
The differences between single and taken men
There are two distinct types of men in this world: those who are single and those who are in a relationship. That’s how comedy site ScrollDroll sums up all men, anyway, in a poster series illustrating the key differences between the two groups.
Funny, minimalist letterpress Valentine’s Day cards
Happy Valentine’s Day! Yes, it’s that time of year again when we spend copious amounts of money to show our loved ones just how much we care.
Infographic: 5 ways to identify lying clients
Sometimes it’s not what people say, but how they say it. And there’s really nothing worse than lying clients who have a casual relationship with the truth—except one who won’t pay. Lying clients make life difficult for everyone and makes you look like a fool for…
The most-backed Kickstarter project ever: Exploding Kittens
The name says it all doesn’t it. Exploding Kittens, a card game created by Elan Lee (Xbox, ARGs), Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), and Shane Small (Xbox, Marvel), has officially become the most backed Kickstarter project of all time.
Conquer the hills of Norway with their ingenious bicycle lift
Bicycling up a hill can be a rather vigorous task, especially when your route has plenty of steep slopes. Now, bicyclists in Trondheim, Norway will no longer have to worry about hills. The CycloCable, situated at the Brubakken Hill in Trondheim, is revolutionizing urban transport.
Discover the work habits of Millennials
Sorry bosses, a new breed of worker is attacking everything you hold sacred—from giving orders, to your starched white shirt and tie. They’re called Millennials (or Generation Y); born between 1980 and 1995, they’re rapidly taking over jobs from baby boomers who are now entering retirement.
How to make peppermint shot glasses
After teaching us how to make some awesome toasted marshmallow shot glasses, food blogger Cheri Alberts of The Watering Mouth is back. And this time she’s come up with another one of her great DIY food hacks: how to make your own peppermint shot glasses.
Colourful novelty glitter pills so you can crap festive
Have you heard the old saying that “what glitters is gold?” If you have a friend who goes overboard with decorations, treats and ugly sweaters, you can now help them to be even more festive! Give the gift that they can crap out this Christmas with Glitter Pills.
Hilariously rude holiday cards for a very sweary Christmas
If you've gotten tired of run-of-the-mill Christmas cards, these rude holiday cards are just what you need.
The most bizarre Christmas celebrations around the world
Whether it’s leaving a treat for Santa and his reindeer or simply decorating the tree, Christmas has many traditions. And no two families Christmas’s are quite the same. So, what kind of bizarre Christmas celebrations are there in countries around the globe?
Decorate your beard with mini baubles
Are you into the ugly sweater trend? If not, try a different look this holiday season. Christmas baubles are usually meant for trees, but large-bearded men are using them to decorate their face instead.
How parents can make a difference in a creative child’s life
There are many ways to define creativity; putting things together in unique ways, or seeing the a given problem with fresh eyes. And while we all solve problem in creative ways, encouraging it in others can make a big difference.
This prototype water bottle actually fills itself
Cyclists know that you need to keep hydrated. And to make sure that you don’t run dry, industrial design student Kristof Retezár has designed a prototype self-filling water bottle. How? It turns air into water while you ride a moving bicycle.
Infographic: Take back your mornings
Are you usually less productive in the morning? For me, mornings are time to get things done before the workday begins. However, great mornings don’t just happen, they’re planned. They’re also about creating a routine that works; keeping you inspired and not just wired.
Infographic: The 10 most irritating co-worker habits
You can pick your friends, you can’t pick your family and for the most part, you can’t pick your co-workers. Even if you could, it’s hard to see through the veneer of professional behaviour most people put on for a job interview. Worst of all, unlike with irritating acquaintances,…
How coffee reflects your productivity at work
Could you start the day without your morning Double-Double? Is it out of habit or do we really believe that a morning coffee will increase our productivity at work?
This is your guide to learning 80s slang
The 1980s were filled with bright colours, leg warmers, soft rock and a surfer mentality; it became a decade that embraced the fun in life without any of the hassle. If you’re looking to relive those glory days or learn how your parents talked, this…
What different generations used for wasting time
Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow. With nearly all of us owning some type of smart device, we can spend endless hours wasting time online.
Naughty print ad likens a wallet to a vagina
To promote the affordability of German online sex shop EIS.de’s love-making products, Hamburg-based ad agency Jung von Matt has created a naughty print ad.
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?
Now and then: Cultural and technology trends
Cultural, lifestyle and technology trends come and go. But some trends end up evolving over time. For example, a smartphone can now do the job of a camera, television, game console, cassette player, and calculator.
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.
The ultimate guide to office bathroom etiquette
When it comes to the office bathroom, there are unspoken rules that should always be adhered to; leaving wiggle room in the mens, and throwing feminine products in the right bin in the ladies, for example. However, if you have a colleague in need of a…
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.
Bizarre Japanese cookbook require the use of condoms
With all of the television shows and networks that revolve around food, you probably thought you’ve seen it all. Chances are you haven’t seen this Japanese cookbook. If you’re wondering what makes it so unique, well, it’s centred around condoms.
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.
Make crossing the road fun with dancing pedestrian signals
We’ve all done it; waiting for a traffic light to turn, checking to see if it’s clear, then doing the mad dash for the other side of the street. It’s not the safest move. Creatively taking on the question of “how can we make our cities…
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.
A sidewalk lane in China for people on their phones
These days people are captivated by their smartphones and connected devices; so much so that they have become oblivious to the world around them. This smartphone addiction is especially prevalent in Chinese youth. That’s why the city of Chongqing has created the first mobile phone sidewalk.
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?
Gorgeous molecular structure necklaces from common drugs
Most people don’t understand why or how someone could become addicted to drugs. Lets face it, we all have a vice; it might not be an illicit drug, but we’re all addicted to something.
The international styles of kissing
A survey of 3,500 singles regarding their thoughts about kissing, found that most have dated a bad kisser. 73% of those singles polled, also claim they’ve been stuck in a bad kissing situation.
Everything you ever wanted to know about napping
When was the last time you had a nice, leisurely nap? If you’re not a morning person like me, getting up early to start work leaves you feeling tired most of the day. To ease that tired feeling, I find napping (whenever possible) help give…