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.
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.
Top 10 brand disasters of 2016
Branding is a tricky business and it’s difficult to get it right all the time; and sometimes companies can fail, big time. 2016 was a big year for brands like Johnson & Johnson’s, Volkswagen, Uber, and Samsung. All of which have come under fire for making mistakes before…
How to get recruiters to read your CV
Day in, day out, recruiters sift through piles of résumés for available job openings. They’re usually searching for a specific skill sets or experience that matches their clients’ requirements. And if nothing of interest stands out, they move on to the next one.
The weirdest crowdfunding fails
Crowdfunding has created plenty of opportunities for aspiring businesses in recent years. It helps give them an opportunity to introduce exciting new inventions and products. However, it can also be risky. You hand money to internet strangers who give you nothing but a promise in return.
10 desk exercise routines for designers
Being a designer might make it easy to get your creative juices flowing, but it also keeps your body stagnant. It seems like everyone is working longer hours these days, which makes it harder to find the time to exercise. But what if you could actually work…
A handy guide to keeping your beard well-groomed
As someone who has had facial hair for nearly twenty years, I can tell you it takes a lot of work to grow out a great beard. Good grooming habits are essential, no matter if it’s for a cause like Movember or just because you want…
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…
10 lesser-known facts about creative thinkers
Creativity and ingenuity are what drive humanity forward. But did you know that creative thinkers tend to have more complex and intricate minds than most people? We perceive the world differently. Our unconventional natures make us seem a little crazy, intriguing, and even make us admired by our…
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.
Everything designers need to know about the golden ratio
Good designers are always on the hunt for the latest tools to help them step up their game—whether it’s a new app or the latest Adobe update. Yet some of the best design tools are actually those that have been around the longest.
17 signs your colleague hates you
Your coworkers can make or break your work experience. Hence, friendly, collaborative coworkers create a great team environment. Conversely, an argumentative and generally unpleasant colleague makes your life way more difficult.
10 workplace incentives top designers want
If you’re anything like most people, you’ve fantasized about the perfect workplace. Maybe you imagined eating prime rib at your desk while surrounded by brilliant colleagues. Or you dreamed of working at home office instead of being stuck in rush hour traffic with the other poor saps.
25 potential culture shocks from around the world
Don’t flush your toilet paper and never finish your food or you’ll seem rude. When traveling to other countries for the first time, some local practices might come as potential culture shocks to foreigners. This handy infographic reveals surprising habits and social faux pas from around the world.
How creatives spend an average day
There’s no argument anymore. Neuroscience confirms that highly creative people think and act differently than the average person. Their brains are literally hardwired in a unique way. So what is it like to lead a creative life?
21 tips for a successful job interview
Company Folders has compiled this helpful infographic with 21 tips for a successful job interview.
How to increase conversions on eCommerce sites
These factors help customers decide whether or not they’ll make a purchase from your website.
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.
Discover the strange and unrelated products released by famous brands
PlumbWorld has compiled an infographic detailing famous brands that tried to capitalize on other markets.
How to quickly prepare for your job interview
Take a breath and don't stress out, there are ways you can quickly prepare for your interview.
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.
10 ways people really annoy graphic designers
"Can you make the logo design bigger?" is probably the most heard and most annoying thing you can say.
Do your weird writing habits relate to those of famous authors?
Everyone has their own unique habits that help them to be more creative. Here are some from famous writers.
Idyllic places to go if the world ends tomorrow
Where on Earth are the best choices for riding out the coming apocalypse?
Psychological tricks to help get what you want
The art of persuasion is a subtle, complex discipline. There are, however, a few psychological tricks you can use.
The most insane things smuggled through customs
If you travel often you know there are strict regulations when crossing international borders. Despite these regulations, many people still try to smuggle strange, unusual and illegal items through customs.
The most bizarre hobbies from around the world
While the average people takes up a hobby like playing sports, baking — or even stamp collecting — there are a handful of unique individuals that consider these common pass-times mundane. So what do these people do instead? According to British website Gifts.co.uk, they enjoy…
Learn the reasons why men shave: A brief history
For a brief history of shaving, Prim & Prep has put together this informative infographic.
Infographic: Quirky road signs from around the world
Language continues to be a barrier when travelling abroad. Travellers, however, can at least rely on the simplicity of universally designed signs to guide them on their adventures. And while most road signs will tell you the speed limit or point you in the right…
Discover 10 tempting alcoholic drinks worth trying
With all the varieties of booze that are available, why not try something different tonight?
10 signs to look for that you should NOT take the job
You’ve managed to finally get an interview with what you think is your dream employer. You heard they have a fantastic culture and that it’s the hippest new place to work. You’re ecstatic. It turns out, however, you never really know what it’s like on the inside until you get…
Interesting stats surrounding New Year’s traditions
How much do you know about New Year’s traditions?
The 6 steps to creating a captivating personal logo
The infographic offers tips on how your logo should appeal to your desired target audiences, while matching it with your personality.
Interesting Christmas traditions from around the world
This infographic lists the interesting types of food traditions, tree decorations, and gift-giving practices around the world.
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?
What not to do when visiting certain countries
Even though some of these customs may seem queer from a foreign perspective, it’s still important to respect the culture in one’s host country.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: What have we learned?
Boxing Day was once the time for shopping deals to be found, but that has changed. Black Friday, once a one day tradition for bargains, now stretches from American Thanksgiving until the following Monday, now referred to as Cyber Monday.
What shoppers want and where they’ll go to buy it
This year, the hope is the lower Canadian dollar will help convince both Canadians and Americans that the best deals lie north of the border.
15 Ridiculous things people have put on their résumé
No résumé is perfect, but is everything on your resume 100% accurate? Most employers don’t think so. In fact, they’re becoming increasingly skeptical of what candidates claim about their skills and work history.
Purchasing habits of the wealthy and very rich
How much do you need to make in a year to be considered wealthy? While most Americans have varying ideas on the subject, most say you need to bring in at least $1 million per year.
Infographic: 16 signs your co-workers secretly hate you
Did Susan from marketing just roll her eyes at you? Maybe you’re constantly forgotten about when it comes to after-hours social events? Or are there post-it notes detailing your gruesome death on your computer each morning? All of these are signs that your co-workers might secretly hate you.
The most Instagrammed destinations in North America
From beautifully prepared food to inspirational sunsets, travellers are passionate about documenting the world around them using Instagram. But have you ever wondered which are the most Instagrammed destinations?
The differences between Canadian & US Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy food, friends, and family. As millions of Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving, I couldn’t help but wonder the differences between the Canadian and American holidays?
Curious dinner table customs from around the world
“Sit up straight, don’t put your elbows on the table.” If you’re like me, then table manners were something that we were taught at a young age. However, your dinner table etiquette at home might come across as unrefined, snobbish or even rude in other…
What are the best fonts for me? Everything you need to know
There are typefaces and fonts everywhere you look; we use them everywhere from tv to posters and billboards, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. But do you really pay attention to them?
Infographic: Stereotypes in design
Stereotypes are rampant across many industries, especially when it comes to design. However, the truth is that designers are a diverse group, and we hate being put into restrictive conceptual boxes.
Discover the hidden features of the top social networks
The longer social networks exist, the more they learn what their users want; they modify, update, and increase their capabilities to keep users interested. Sometimes, however, older options become hidden features, or harder to find forgotten ones.
What are the best careers for introverts and extroverts?
Do you identify yourself as an introvert or an extrovert? These are the two types of people you can find people in most workplaces. And because of the particular traits displayed by each personality type, they tend to work in different ways.
Creating better blog graphics, even if you’re not a designer
Humans rely on visual cues for nearly everything. In fact, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and our brains can process images 60,000 times faster than text. That means for a bloggers and content marketers, blog graphics are an important part of…
10 key elements to create a high quality website
With Google’s ever-changing algorithm, constant waves of new technology and shifting design trends, it can be difficult to figure out what your website needs and what it doesn’t. And because your website is the online face of your business and brand, it needs to reflect…
Business card etiquette and design from around the world
A business card offers a first impression of you and—by association—your business to potential clients. In fact, they’re one of the most important marketing tools you can have. Therefore, having a unique, professionally crafted business card will make you stand out from the competition. And,…