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.
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 has 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.
Dolce & Gabbana launches their own designer pasta
If you’re into all things designer, Dolce & Gabbana are marking the holiday season with designer pasta. The Italian fashion house has teamed up with family-run pasta brand Pastificio Di Martino to release a limited edition set of festive pasta tins.
Faded Footprints illustrated series highlights destroyed landmarks
The landscape shapes our sense of place on Earth, yet it’s constantly changing. The forces of wind, water, sun, and, yes, humans, combine to transform the world around us. In fact, in the last 50 years alone, hundreds of scenic natural landmarks around the world have…
Water manipulating fountain uses colourful lights to shape-shift
If you’re looking to create a relaxing ambience in your home, the sound of water is said to have a calming effect on people. Another way to create that ambience is with light. The lights in your home can make a difference to the way…
Retailer sells US$900 dress that looks like a dry cleaning bag
Lately, retailers have been trying to push their designer fashion, which looks like expensive versions of cheaper items, upon us; much like Prada’s US$185 money clip that looks like a paper clip or Balenciaga’s IKEA-inspired blue tote.
AI tool enhances low-res pixelated images into hi-res
You see it in cop shows like CSI all the time. The police are trying to enhance pixelated images to read what seems like non-existent details in photos. As far-fetched as it may seem, researchers have been artificial intelligence technologies to help fill in missing…
Taco Bell is now testing a Kit Kat stuffed quesadilla
Taco Bell is testing its latest food mashup in the US: a quesadilla stuffed with, not cheese, but a Kit Kat. Released last month, the fast food restaurant announced that it’s experimenting with Chocodillas in Wisconsin.
Facebook wants your nude pictures, but for a good reason
Facebook—who can’t seem to control its own content—hopes we’ll trust it with our nude pictures. It’s an interesting, yet brazen plan they have to try to combat revenge porn.
Burger King serves up an effective anti-bullying PSA
If you saw someone being bullied, would you say something? That was the premise of an effective anti-bullying experiment conducted by Burger King in honour of National Bullying Prevention Month.
Tattoo Socks allow you to flaunt cool designs without getting inked
For most around the world, tattoos are a form of expression. For some it’s a rite of adulthood, tribal identity, artistic or beauty purposes, and so on. However, for those who are in it for style and beauty but aren’t looking for permanence, you may…
Sculptor uses chainsaw to turn old trees into works of at
Sculptors have a way of taking their medium and transforming it into incredible shapes and designs. And the creations from this talented Romanian artist is no exception; the only difference is his tool: a chainsaw.
Street artist leaves ironic messages all over the UK
Street artist Mobstr wanted to see how long it would take before city workers removed the poorly-painted word rats from a canal-side wall. He was shocked that it stayed up for 13 months; it was only removed when the wall in Stratford, east London, was demolished.
Bring to life Photoshop and Illustrator images with Adobe Character Animator
Do you love creating characters in Photoshop or Illustrator, but wish you could make them come to life? Adobe has come up with a solution that’s now part of CC: Character Animator.
Halloween-themed blue burger is filled with ants and mealworms
Australian burger chain Huxtaburger will be offering a distinctly creepy burger on Halloween. And just so you know, the extra crunch in this burger isn’t from the crispy lettuce. Rather, it’s the healthy serving of mealworms.
Rising Furniture inspired by transformations in nature
Much like how pop-up books give stories dimension, Amsterdam-based designer Robert van Embricqs‘ Rising Furniture gives poetic form to function. If your home has so much furniture it’s difficult to move, these designs can give you some extra space.
BK trolls McDonald’s with free Whoppers to those dressed as clowns
If you have coulrophobia (a fear of clowns), then you might want to stay away from Burger King this Halloween. Last year’s panic over creepy clown sightings and the recent success of the reboot of It have created a buzz around clowns, and now BK is getting in on the action.
What to do during downtime at work
Downtime is a rare thing in most workplaces, but there’s a good chance you’ll experience a slow day every once in a while.
Giant London billboard knows your car, even how you’re feeling
Many drivers and pedestrians have become used to tuning out billboard advertisements. But what if those billboards could serve up ads to you based on your vehicle, or even how you’re feeling? One London billboard is trying just that.
Young woman’s spectacular 3D latte art is almost too cute to drink
For 17-year-old Daphne Tan, coffee isn’t just a beverage, it’s also her canvas. The Singapore-based artist is quickly whipping up a storm on Instagram for her spectacular 3D latte art.
Design studio tries to reinvents the zipper
We use it in out everyday lives and probably don’t give it much thought. The zipper is used in clothing, luggage and other bags, sporting goods, camping gear, and other items. The design hasn’t changed much in the last hundred years, but one design company is looking to change that.
Giant straw animals invade Japanese fields after rice harvest
Fall is here, which means that it’s time for the harvest and the annual fairs that celebrate it. In Japanese culture waste is often minimized, especially in food. Sometimes, during the annual rice harvest, the leftover rice straw is transformed into straw animals.
Getty bans Photoshopped images that alter models’ body shapes
Taking effect back on October 1st, Getty images updated its Creative Stills Submission Requirements. The new requirements specify they will no longer accept images of models whose bodies have been Photoshopped; either to look thinner or larger.
Delicious Cake Popsicles are almost like works of art
Cake on a stick? Why hadn’t anyone thought of this before? Melbourne-based, self-taught baker and cake decorator, Raymond Tan has created Cake Popsicles that almost look too good to eat.
Become a better writer with these 15 ways to write faster
Sometimes it seems as if there aren’t enough hours in the day to get all your work done—especially if you’re a writer. Some people are writing machines; they get an idea, pound it out in minutes, and move on to something else. For most of us,…
A unique watch made of lightweight and durable concrete
Concrete may seem an unlikely design material when talking about consumer goods, but the Masonic aims to change this perception. This debut watch from Aggregate Watches is the first to utilize a traditionally industrial material in a refined way.
Facebook faces backlash after banning ad of a woman shaving her legs
We’ve all heard stories of Facebook and Instagram banning posts and advertisements that contain nudity. Their reasoning is that it’s adult content and not suitable for some of their users. Fair enough. However, sometimes it seems as though they pick and choose which posts they take down. The latest…
Zodiac inspired tattoos to reflect your personality
When it comes to commitment, getting a tattoo is near the top. Therefore, if you get one, you’ll want to feel good about it and what it represents about you. For those who are guided by astrology, but aren’t sure which design to get, you may want to…
Swedish train passengers ditch tickets, opt to be microchipped instead
Gone are the days of fair collectors asking to see your paper ticket on the train. One Swedish train company is offering passengers the option of being microchipped by having a biometric chip implanted into their hand.
Heineken-owned craft brewer is making marijuana beer
These days, you can find marijuana infused in everything from bath bombs to pizza. In fact, once Canada finally legalizes it next year, expect to see a lot more edibles on the market here. However, already legal in California, marijuana beer has debuted.
Artist paints fake shadows to make people look twice
If you happen to be in downtown Redwood City, California, you might notice something out of the ordinary. If you pay particular attention to the shadows, you’ll notice they seem to be mutated from their original shape. Flowers sprout from the shadows of bike racks…
Best of the 2017 World Beard & Moustache Championship
Quite possibly the best thing to happen to facial hair is the World Beard and Moustache Championship. For more than 25 years, the semi-annual competition has turned growing and grooming into a high-class art form.
Snowbird ski resort cleverly uses 1-star review in its ad
From intermediate to expert skiers, Snowbird ski resort in Utah is renowned for its challenging slopes. However, one guest found the mountains to be a bit too challenging and wrote a 1-star review of his stay.
Quickshot photo app help you shoot better photos
There are times when editing you photos gives them that final boost to show their maximum potential; which takes time. That’s why Lightricks, the developers behind Facetune, Memoji and Enlight, has launched the Quickshot photo app.
Makeup artist uses optical illusions to create amazing effects
Makeup can be transformational; if done right it can turn one thing into something completely different. For example, the mind-bending effects from Vancouver makeup artist Mimi Choi has proven she is the queen of optical illusion makeup.
Funny typography puns to put a smile on your face
This series of typography puns is meant to lift the spirits of fellow designers; it’s a good way to start your week. In this DesignTAXI series created by Caisa Nilaseca, you’ll find yourself smiling at these funny typographic puns.
Top 10 winners for the A’ Design Award competition
Whether you’re a designer or just someone who loves well-designed objects, this years A’Design Award winners are amazing to see. If you’re not familiar, the A’ Design Award is the world’s largest design awards and a leading international annual juried competition for designers and other creatives.
Company makes humorous soaps for all types of people
Do you still use bar soaps or do you use a body wash? If you still use bars, then these products might be just what you’re looking for. And while the soap industry may not be known for its sense of humour, an American company…
Sculptor turns blocks of wood into intricately detailed pipes
For nearly two decades, Sidrit Vaqari has perfected the art of wood carving. He’s made amazingly intricate wood sculpture pipes that often take the form of mystical creatures and characters from movies and pop culture.