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.
Not just a typeface, Helvetica is now a coffee
Helvetica is a sans serif typeface that’s one of the most popular in the world with designers. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that its influence has spread far and wide; but to coffee? Now that’s something you probably didn’t see coming.
Starbucks debuts colour and flavour changing Unicorn Frappuccino
Starbucks has decided to jump on the rainbow-themed food trend bandwagon with its Unicorn Frappuccino blended beverage. The sparkly frozen beverage, which was only available from April 19 to 23, had quickly become a social media sensation.
Brewery reveals cynical Fake News Ale directed at Trump
Fake News Ale by Northern Maverick Brewing Co. pokes fun at the political climate south of the border.
McDonald’s dull new uniforms inspire online teasing
Last month, McDonald’s unveiled new uniforms for its U.S. locations in 2017. And with that release, the new uniforms are prompting some online teasing; with comments saying the grey-toned shirts and aprons make employees look like they’re part of totalitarian regimes.
Domino’s new app adds a little fun to your pizza tracking
Waiting for the pizza guy can sometimes get you anxious. Will it be here in time for the start of the game? Has he passed my house? Pizza tracking with Domino’s just became more fun via its new partnership with IFTTT. The duo, with help from…
Are you trying to conceal your caffeine addiction? Try the world’s first colourless coffee
Are you one of those people who can’t start their day without a cup of coffee? There are many benefits to enjoying a hot cup of joe every morning, including: lowering the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and MS. However, that constant coffee drinking can lead…
Funny and deliciously satisfying divorce cakes to celebrate being single again
You don’t usually celebrate getting a divorce. Well, not in the same way weddings are. However, in recent years, parties have become popular to mark the end of a marriage. And as these divorce parties become more common, celebratory cakes have become the latest trend.
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.
Lego fan opens brick burger restaurant
Lego is a toy that has lasted more than 60 years and is still going strong. Go in to any toy shop and you’ll find a whole section dedicated to the stuff. There are theme parks almost literally built out of it and there’s even a…
Unleash your inner Cookie Monster at cookie dough café
Although many experts now say that eating raw cookie dough is bad for you, most of us still do. And who can blame us, it tastes so damn good – before and after you bake it. And so we rejoice at news that finally, someone is…
Nestlé unveils limited-edition KitKat sushi in Japan
Nestlé chocolate brand KitKat has released limited-edition chocolate bars that looks like sushi.
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.
Have a blooming marshmallow in your next hot chocolate
French pastry chef Dominique Ansel, who is famous for inventing Cronuts, has just invented your next dessert obsession. He’s developed a marshmallow that blooms into a flower when dropped in hot chocolate.
Exclusive $20,000 Cheetos cheetah-inspired jewellery
Trying to figure out that perfect, thoughtful gift for a loved one at Christmas is tough. But don’t worry, because Cheetos has come to the rescue. And I’m not talking about give your partner a big bag of cheesy crisps, but a new cheetah-inspired jewellery set.
How to help avoid a hangover
Ask any expert, and they’ll tell you that the best way to avoid a hangover is to lay off the booze. Or just stay drunk, your call. To fend off the nausea, headache, dizziness, and general misery that often follows an intense night of drinking, check out this infographic…
The world’s most expensive potato chips
I’ve previously brought you some of the world’s most expensive food items; like the Glamburger, Juuni Ban hot dog, a $900 cupcake, and Krispy Kreme doughnut. Now, Swedish beer-makers, St. Erik’s Brewery, has created what is the world’s most expensive potato chips to go with…
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.
When an architect bakes desserts, this is what you get
Dinara Kasko isn’t your everyday pastry chef. In fact, she’s actually an architectural designer. So what happens when an architect likes to bake? Apparently, incredible things. She creates pastries by approaching them as if they were buildings.
Diet Coke prints millions of unique labels for new campaign
Diet Coke sales keep falling, but the marketing investment behind the struggling soda keeps flowing in the US this year. Coca-Cola put significant media support behind the launch of a new Diet Coke packaging design program. Diet Coke’s fun new packaging stunt uses HP Indigo digital printing technology to create…
Ice cream cone floating in a cotton candy cloud
Today’s weather is cloudy with a chance of soft-serve ice cream. Ice cream cones are already wonderful treats, but one genius ice cream shop has made it more heavenly by surrounding the cone with cotton candy. The result is a gorgeously dreamy dessert that makes it look like it’s…
The latest Instagram food trend is avocado burger buns
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Traditionally, hamburgers and other bbq are served on buns that come in all shapes and sizes. But I am reasonably certain there have never been avocado burger buns — that is, until now.
KFC scented sunscreen has just launched and sold out
There’s certainly no shortage of strange beauty products on the market. Products like Burger King’s Whopper cologne or KFC’s finger lickin’ good nail polish are available for purchase. Apparently consumers can’t get enough of that finger lickin’ good fried chicken. KFC has released an Extra Crispy Sunscreen that comes…
Looking for a healthy alternative to donuts? Try sushi donuts
An Australian vegan foodie has come up with a different kind of donut — one made from sushi.
Marou chocolate bars wrapped in handmade art
The National Gallery Singapore partnered with chocolate brand Marou to create artisanal chocolate bars.
Out-of-this-world galaxy donuts are delicious
A recent time ago, in a galaxy not so far far away… arrived the latest Instagram food craze. Prepare to be starry-eyed with the latest addition to the galaxy confection craze: the galaxy donut.
Pantone Café serves food inspired by colour
if perfectly colour coordinated, tasty food is what brings you joy, head to the pop-up Pantone Café in Monaco.
Pepsi 1893: A new artisanal soda for Hipsters
This new premium soda brand by Pepsi is trying to tap into the mixology trend.
Which beers to pair with your favourite ice cream this summer
Baskin-Robbins and All About Beer Magazine have teamed up to honour dads in a frosty and flavourful way.
The rainbow food trend has finally made its way to sushi
Rainbow sushi has become a popular recipe among vegans and foodies who enjoy preparing their own foods.
This edible nail polish is Finger Lickin’ Good
KFC has branched out into the world of beauty products with a line of nail polish you can lick off.
Pepsi debuts a series of Prestige Bottles and accessories
During Milan Design Week, Pepsi unveiled Mix It Up exhibit to showcase their Prestige Bottle designs.
Top 5 satisfying Oreo cookie-craving recipes
Probably one of the most iconic snacks on the market today is the Oreo cookie. And while they’re delicious on their own — or when you dunk them in milk — they’re more versatile than you know.
The newest Instagram food trend mashup: Sushi Burgers
The newest food trend mashup to grace our taste buds comes with a Japanese twist.
Creative fashion illustrations completed using food items
If you like to play with your food, these fashion designs are creatively completed with different items.
Traditional wedding food enjoyed around the world
While the happy couple’s big day is supposed to be all about them, no wedding celebration is truly complete without an array of tasty wedding food.
Need a sugar fix? How about a donut ice cream cone
If sweet stuff is your thing, the donut ice cream cone is a tantalizing alternative to the classic cone or wafer.
Next-gen disposable utensils: The Edible Spoon Maker
This device—which looks like a waffle maker—cooks edible spoons with several different types of dough inside its spoon-shaped moulds.
Keep a slice handy with the pizza pouch
Created by novelty website Stupidiotic, this clear triangular plastic pouch is designed to hold a single slice of pizza.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a fried Nutella ice cream ball
Nutella is quickly growing in popularity, with new recipes being invented for it all the time. For those who are new to fried ice cream, the idea of a grapefruit-sized ball of Nutella and vanilla fried ice cream adorned with crushed Maltesers is intriguing and…
Discover 10 tempting alcoholic drinks worth trying
With all the varieties of booze that are available, why not try something different tonight?
Be a hosting star with bacon chocolate shot glasses
The bacon is baked on a mould so that it turns crispy and retains it shape as a shot glass.
Get your drink on with the Homemade Gin Kit
The Homemade Gin Kit is not only easy to use, it’s also easy on the eyes, as it's also the winner of Inc. Magazine’s ‘Best in Class’ award for packaging design this year.
What your favourite Christmas cookie says about you
Do you have a special kind of Christmas cookie that you love to eat during the holiday season? If so, then what does that particular cookie say about you as a person?
Still cooking the same meals? Shake up your routine with Foodie Dice
If traditional cooking leaves you feeling uninspired in the kitchen, these Foodie Dice will help get your creative juices flowing.
Bacon up your Christmas tree with a bacon ornament
It’s a staple of many breakfasts and loved by meat eaters the world over. It has even been blamed for turning vegetarians into meat eaters. Yes, we’re talking about bacon.
An Advent calendar just for adults
When you were a kid, do you remember anticipating each new day in December leading to Christmas when you’d open up your Advent calendar to get a treat? Now that you’re an adult, wouldn’t you love to relive those feelings of joy and anticipation with…
Burger King launches illustrated Christmas packaging
With the Christmas season kicking into high gear, Burger King has announced their limited edition packaging for the festive holiday. The illustrated packaging features several colourful motifs.
Pepsi comes ‘Back to the Future’ with Pepsi Perfect
Great Scott! We’ve landed in the future—or to be more accurate—the date that Michael J Fox went to in the movie Back to the Future Part II.
Burger King unveils Whopper Wine
How would you like to pair you next flame grilled burger with a rustic red wine? If so, then head over to Burger King in Spain to try their specially brewed Whopper Wine.
Find out how to order from a restaurant’s secret menu
Thanks to website #HackTheMenu, you can now discover unlisted menu items from fast-food restaurants.