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.
What to expect with logo trends for 2018
You can often tell the era in which a logo was created by the fonts, colours, and styles used. Recognizing which logo trends will withstand the test of time is an essential part of choosing a style which feels fresh, relevant, and reflects the brand.
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…
Ecocapsule: The futuristic self-sustainable micro-home
With energy rates going nowhere but up, maybe you’re looking to live off-the-grid; or you’re someone who dreams of traveling with a self-sustaining mobile home. If size doesn’t matter, then the Ecocapsule might be your perfect earth-friendly dwelling.
Handcrafted fairytale dresses designed by Sylvie Facon
Inspired by nature, fairytales and women’s figure, French designer Sylvie Facon aspires to design dresses that are very feminine, refined, and meticulous. She sews dresses with beautiful fabrics and such an incredible attention to detail that they would steal any catwalk.
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.
Dubai Frame: The world’s largest picture frame
Home to the tallest skyscraper, the largest shopping mall and the longest driverless metro system in the world, Dubai is a city not shy about its architecture; their newest monument is the world’s largest picture frame, rising 150 meters above Dubai’s Zabeel Park.
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…
Artist suspends 600,000 tied knots over Spanish plaza
Have you recently visited Madrid’s historic Plaza Mayor? If so, then you were probably greeted by a dazzling installation by artist Janet Echelman. She recently unveiled the latest sculpture to her Earth Time Series; a captivating suspended thread installation of tied knots.
World’s most dangerous ice cream Is 500 times spicier than Tabasco sauce
You might think that it’s too cold for ice cream. However, one café in Glasgow, Scotland is serving up dangerous ice cream that’s more than hot enough to warm you up. With part of ice cream’s delicious appeal being its cool, smooth texture, what happens when you…
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…
Adobe XD releases 3 FREE icon collections by design legends
Last week at Awwwards, Adobe unveiled a sneak preview of vector graphics support in Creative Cloud Libraries coming soon to Adobe XD CC. What this means is that Adobe Illustrator users can conveniently drag graphics from their CC libraries and drop them right into their XD canvases. As well,…
Rainbow tunnel installation contains 120,000 paper numbers
Time is something we deal with every day, and something that everyone believes they understand. While we may think we do, it’s still a hard thing to express. So, as part of a series of exhibitions exploring the different functions of materials, Tokyo-based architect and designer Emmanuelle…
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.
A look back at 7 of the oddest fashion trends of 2017
If there’s one thing regarding fashion trends that we can always rely on, is their ability to surprise us. On the one hand, there are some styles that are pretty much timeless; pieces you can put on and know you’ll always look good. However, at times, it…
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.
Kodak is getting into cryptocurrency for photographers
Even with the current volatility of the cryptocurrency market, Kodak is looking to make its mark. The company recently announced that it’s joining forces with Wenn Digital to launch its own cryptocurrency for photographers called KODAKCoin.
Learn about the 7 eCommerce design trends for 2018
Last year, global eCommerce reached US$2.3 trillion and is expected to double by 2021. In the United States alone, eCommerce represents almost 10 percent of retail sales. Even as the general public is increasingly coming to prefer online shopping, many websites still face unique challenges to their success.
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,…
Nature-inspired embroidery that appears to be floating
Embroidery is delicate work. But when you’re skillfully hand-stitching, it’s taken to the next level. And that’s especially true when working on net-like tulle fabric. It’s more delicate than your traditional cotton—making it less forgiving than other fabrics. However, when done well, the effect is mesmerizing.
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…
Find your painting doppelgänger with Google Arts and Culture app
The Google Arts and Culture platform hosts images of millions of pieces of art, ranging from prehistory to the contemporary. The app, which first appeared in app stores back in 2016, has mostly gone under the radar until now.
Professional artists recreate kids’ monster doodles in their own styles
Kids today are so into technology that they’ve forgotten how to pick up a pencil and be creative. That’s why Katie Johnson, a graphic designer and illustrator, decided to teach elementary school students about creativity. To do this, she asked them to create monster doodles…
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…
Planetary Lollipops: A sweet way to enjoy the universe
Take a sweet journey through our universe with gourmet candy maker Vintage Confections. While you typically need a telescope to view far-away worlds and swirling nebulas, there’s now easier—and tastier—way to enjoy our solar system.
Nike’s Air Huarache Ultra inspired by the Colour Of The Year
After PANTONE reveals its Colour of the Year, comes designers’ take on the trend. This year’s colour was Ultra Violet, representing “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
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.
What to expect with graphic design for 2018
Every year there are a few design trends that fade, while new ones burst onto the scene. This will be especially true in 2018, with visual contrast dominating the digital landscape.
The first weird food trend of 2018 is the Crossushi
The rise of Instagram has not-so-coincidentally caused people to better decorate their meals. It’s also gotten people to experiment with new dishes as well. And kicking off 2018 is this newest food trend called the Crossushi.
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.
Pantone announces Ultra Violet as Their 2018 Colour of the Year
Ringing in the New Year brings with it a renewed energy for what’s to come. And every year, the colour experts at the PANTONE Colour Institute research and analyses design, film, food, fashion, art and more to arrive at a colour of the year. This…
10 tips for efficient meetings from successful leaders
Meetings can be a powerful tool to help produce new ideas in insights. Unfortunately, people spend so much time in meetings that it becomes a chore. In fact, most employees often view them as disruptive, inefficient, or downright boring.
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.
Festive nail art inspired by the ugly sweater trend
There are plenty of ways to show off your holiday spirit, like Christmas beard baubles; but nothing says festive quite like ugly sweater inspired nail art. This viral DIY beauty trend will really get you into the holiday spirit.
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.
15 ways to better manage your time
Have you ever wondered how some people appear to have enough time in a day to do everything that they want to; whereas others often rush from task to task, never seeming to finish anything. Do they just have less to do? No, it’s more…
A personal mini fireplace that’s powered by candles
With winter comes cold. This is the time of year when we want to sit by the fireplace and enjoy a cup of warm cocoa. In fact, the act of watching a fire lowers blood pressure, according to new University of Alabama research. This enjoyment may…
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…
Coat your lips this winter with Pop Tart Lip Balms
Lip balms are important during the winter months as the air tends to be dryer. Therefore it’s essential to keep your lips moisturized. So if you want to kiss your dry lips goodbye, Mad Beauty has the perfect solution.
5 best sculpture parks from around the world
In woodlands and jungles, along coastlines, and on mountaintops, sculpture has long been integrated into the world around us. However, we often think of sculptural viewing as an indoor experience, placed throughout museums and galleries. But in recent decades the concept of sculpture parks have taken off.
Treepex device transforms polluted air into fresh oxygen
Polluted air has grown 8% globally in the past five years. Now, billions of people around the world are now exposed to dangerous air; this according to data from over 3,000 cities compiled by the World Health Organization.
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.
Candy cane eyeliner: The newest Christmas makeup trend
The holidays are quickly approaching, so it’s time to start planning your festive-wear. If you’re looking to stand out at your Christmas party from all of the ugly sweaters, how about giving this festive candy cane eyeliner a go.