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.
Geometric animal sculptures made from folded paper
The Forest Collection contains cute animals crafted out of coloured paper.
The top 10 winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2017
The Sony World Photography Awards is an annual competition hosted by the World Photography Organization. Recently, the largest photo competition in the world announced the winners for 2017.
Humorous illustration uses pirates to depict terrible clients
You can’t blame your clients for not knowing what is and isn’t good design – that’s your job to show them. You can’t, however, forgive them for assuming that your time is free.
How to spot a cheap logo design and improve it
Whether you know it or not, consumers are able to tell the difference between a good and bad logo. And having a cheap logo design not only reflects badly on your skills as a designer, but on the brand it was created for. Your logo…
Infographic: The 10 basic elements of design
Need to refresh your memory on the basic elements of design? These elements can be isolated and defined in any visual. They are the structure of the work, and can carry a wide variety of messages. So, before tackling any design, Creative Market has created an…
Beautiful tattoos that look like watercolour art
Instagram and Pinterest are great sources of inspiration when it comes to ideas for tattoos. This is especially true now, given how contemporary tattoo artists are getting more creative than ever with the medium.
Why you should become a graphic designer
Some people are destined to become a graphic designer. They have a knack for aesthetics, notice the finer details and love to learn new things. So, if you’ve always been deeply interested in graphic design, but are not currently working in the field, this may…
PANTONE unveils new magazine that explores seasonal colour trends
Last month the PANTONE Color Institiute debuted its new bi-annual magazine. VIEWPOINT COLOUR is an inspirational lifestyle magazine that explores seasonal colour trends and insights across all design disciplines. Colour plays a crucial part in branding, logo design, and how products are perceived by consumers. And because of…
22 Deadly sins of graphic design
Starting any graphic design project requires preparation. There are briefs to follow, theories to consider, and deadly sins to avoid. So if you’re thinking about using Comic Sans or flattening your Photoshop file, think again.
What’s the difference between a font and a typeface?
In today’s digital world, the words font and typeface are often treated similarly. In most instances when people refer to fonts, they really mean typefaces. However, they’re not the same thing.
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…
Bottle designs inspired by masked Mexican wrestlers
If you’re into wrestling, then you probably like the masked luchadores from Mexico. A spectacular sight to behold, these ring warriors are commonly included as motifs on tequila bottles. However, Mucha Liga Tequila takes this concept to new heights with its packaging.
Grope Sans: A quirky and risqué private parts themed typeface
Apparently, Valentine’s Day wasn’t all chocolates and roses. Food design and research studio Bompas & Parr, out of Liverpool, has created a new risqué typeface called Grope Sans. Created for Valentine’s Day, this racy typeface by graphic designer Flo Fairweather, is adorned with nipples, vaginas and penises.
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.
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…
A beautiful geometric chocolate bar that’s too lovely to eat
When you think of food, how it tastes is probably top of mind. However, people also buy food because of how it looks; the packaging, colours, even how it’s displayed.
Instagram account pokes fun at fonts and typefaces
Instagram is a good resource when you’re looking for inspiration. It’s also a great place to find hilarious quotes and sayings.
7 logo design trends expected to emerge in 2017
There is no perfect recipe when creating a logo for a new company. Influenced by the existing brand identity, how do you find inspiration for a logo when there is none? Well, it can sometimes be found the company’s ideology and its core beliefs. However, it can also be influenced…
Artist turns old CDs Into amazing animal sculptures
Although we’re taught from a young age not to be wasteful, a broken CD isn’t much good to anyone. In fact, CDs are pretty much obsolete these days. Unless you’re Australian artist Sean Avery that is.
Infographic: 8 graphic design trends for 2017
Graphic design trends are typically a mixture of past trends and a reflection of societal values. However, infographic company Venngage believes that 2017 will reject some of the past graphic design trends completely.
How Art Directors and Copywriters can avoid annoying each other
If you’ve ever been part of a creative team, you know that partnerships in advertising are not unlike marriage. Once the Art Director and Copywriter pair up, it takes a serious commitment to avoid annoying each other. Deciding to officially tie your careers together means doing…
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.
The importance of shapes in logo design
When it comes to designing a logo, shape is key. The emotional response a logo elicits can have a resounding effect on the way customers view a particular product, service or company. That’s why logo shapes used by big brands aren’t chosen by chance.
How to use the Colour of the Year in your designs
A few weeks ago, PANTONE revealed its bright and zesty Colour of the Year 2017, called Greenery. Because it evokes nature, Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate. Thus, people respond on a deeper level to this hue, making the eye catching Greenery an ideal shade for design. This is especially…
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.
Artist helps friends bar with creative chalk signs
The Spirits Tavern in Dahlonega, Georgia had been seeing a decline in patrons. That’s when owner Sabrina Walker had the idea to recruit local artists to design chalk signs for her business. She managed to get a friend of hers, Ollie Wolff Pruitt, aka littlewolff, to take on the…
Funny holiday cards based on popular Twitter topics
After a not-so-great 2016, website Roasted Nuts decided to lighten things up with a collection of testy holiday cards. In an attempt to unite the world, they searched out their favourite Twitter topics and turned them into cards.
Crosswalks transformed into vibrant art in Madrid
Most of us cross the street without looking passed our phones to see what’s on the ground beneath us. The urban infrastructure that people are familiar with can be mundane and uninspiring. Seeing opportunity just under his feet, Bulgarian artist Christo Guelov wondered how crosswalks could become a thing of…
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…
Add charm to any room with geometric lamps
Tel Aviv-based design studio Sturlesi Design was looking for to offer a unique and authentic approach to ambient lighting. Hence, a collection of decorative, geometrical lamps were created.
Colour your tree with Pantone Christmas ornaments
Now that we’re into December, everyone’s getting into the Christmas spirit – including Pantone. They offer a lot of the products you wouldn’t think of, including food from their pop-up shop café. However, Pantone is now selling a collection of glass ornaments to brighten up your Christmas tree this festive…
Artist uses old saws to create ‘cutting edge’ art
Nebraska-based artist Cindy Chinn thought that there was something interesting about owning a plasma torch. She didn’t have much experience working with steel and had only used the torch once before. After finally purchasing a plasma torch for herself, Cindy had a welder friend teach…
Old books turned into fairytale sculptures
We often think of pop-up books as a simple way to entertain kids (or at least we did before the iPad came along). However, they can be so much more than that. When done well, pop-up books can be engaging, imaginative, and even works of artistic brilliance. If you want…
10 differences between designers and clients
From the most seasoned Creative Director to a Graphic Design graduate all know that creatives and clients don’t always see eye-to-eye. Besides having contrasting roles, their perceptions on colours differences, typeface and image source also vary. While designers might value creative ideas, they’re worth nothing to a…
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.
Do designers need post-secondary education?
Gaining a post-secondary education can be an incredibly valuable experience for your design skills. The popular perception of needing education to be successful is getting a college or university degree and working for a company which pays you per your education level. However, it doesn’t…
Monochrome stencil illustrations brought to life with graffiti
Fighting back against the mundane, artist Martin Whatson uses colour to bring urban scenes to life. He accomplishes this by interrupting these monochrome urban settings with explosions of vibrantly painted graffiti.
Best travel photos from Siena International Photo Awards
Although the Siena International Photo Awards was only conceived last year, it’s already regarded as a prestigious award. Photographers from over 100 countries around the world have submitted their images for the 2016 awards. Results for this years submission of over 15,000 photos have just been announced.…
Cute offensive animal greeting cards
Are you one of those people who love to hand out greeting cards? Well, I’m not. There’s nothing as impersonal and insincere that you can receive on a special occasion. If you’re going to give a greeting card, make sure it says how you really feel. So…
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.
Puzzle book requires solving each page before reading
The downside to finding a really good book is that it’s over before you want it to be. But that won’t be the case with this five page book. That’s because you’ll need to solve a complex mechanical puzzle on each page before you can turn to the…
Instagram’s latest lip art trend brings us crystallized lips
Instagram has a tremendous influence over the beauty industry. If something starts catching on via the social media platform, it’s sure to make waves with fashionistas everywhere. The newest beauty rage amongst these make-up addicts is now crystallized lips.
Driftwood sculptures that represent the spirit of nature
Once nature has created the canvas, Debra Bernier begins her work using natural materials such as driftwood.
The essential guide to easily writing a catchy headline
Do you want to know how to quickly write an attractive and catchy headline for your blog post? It’s one thing to write great content, but it’s another thing to get it read and ranked.
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…
Beautifully designed cakes look straight out of fairytales
Kings and Queens, elves, fairies, giants and gnomes. Imagine beautifully designed cakes made especially for people in fairytales. That’s certainly what you get when you take a look at Julián Ángel’s baked beauties.
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.