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.
Embroidery tattoos look like they’re stitched into skin
Tattoos and embroidery, when combined, make for eye-catching 3D ink that doesn't involve a needle and thread.
An influencer’s nightmare: Instagram experiments with removing likes
Imagine influencers on Instagram when no one but you can see how many followers or likes you have.
Spectacular winners of the 1st annual infrared photography contest
Kolari Vision created their first annual infrared photography contest called Life in Another Light.
German cycling safety campaign being called sexist and stupid
A German ad campaign to get cyclists to wear helmets has sparked accusations of sexism.
Colourful 8-bit graphics transformed into 3D sculptures and paintings
Distance, Speed, Time, Formula, presents an incredible technicolor series of graffiti, paintings, and 3D sculptures.
Boost website conversions using colour psychology
The simple use of colour can either create a positive or negative user experience.
HBO & Oreo recreate Game of Thrones opening with 2,750 cookies
To celebrate the final season, Oreo has released a special line of limited-edition GoT cookies embossed with the last remaining houses.
12 ways to recover from being laid off
Whether you were caught off guard or saw it coming, you can’t control any aspect of a layoff except for how you handle it.
NVIDIA’s AI app can transform simple doodles into realistic landscapes
Using an app that looks like MS Paint, anyone can turn basic outlines into photorealistic images.
Dunkin’ and Saucony reunite for donut-inspired sneakers
Saucony has teamed up with Dunkin’ for co-branded sneakers that looks so good you'll want to eat them.
Artist turns old pocket watches into miniature worlds
Inside old pocket watches, tiny figurines are placed among little homes, workplaces, and even forests.
BK offers free Whoppers for setting its rivals’ ads on fire
Though it sounds like BK is inciting arson, they actually want users to do it through a new AR app.
Finland offers free trips to teach people happiness
In an effort to promote the wellness and happiness Visit Finland lets you Rent a Finn for a weekend.
Japanese company to 3D-print custom sushi based on diner’s urine
A Japanese company is fusing science and food to create sushi uniquely designed for each diner.
800 colourful umbrellas float above Paris passageway
Featuring 800 brightly coloured open umbrellas, the Umbrella Sky Project appears to float in the air.
Nike focuses on sustainable footwear for summer 2019
Today may be the first day of spring, but thoughts of summer are already on the horizon for Nike as they preview their sustainable footwear.
Architect designs sustainable prism-shaped treehouses
When we think of treehouses, we instantly think of plain-planked interiors propped in trees. Plenty of kids have spent their youth climbing trees and building their secret hideaways in the tree branches. However, this modern concept by Milan-based Peter Pichler Architecture envisions treehouses for adults that…
Crystal cave installation is made of 18,000 plastic cups
Perhaps if people were more scared of plastic, maybe they wouldn’t use so much of it.
Doritos throws in the towel with a new chip bag that cleans your fingers
We’ve all been there. Our hands deep in a bag of Doritos and the sudden need to grab something other than another fistful of chips. That’s the moment you decide to wipe those cheesy hands on your shirt, your pants, the couch, something else. Doritos…
Tips to optimize your next email marketing campaign
What can you do to compel your readers to open your email when they have dozens of others in their inbox?
Anti-cruelty campaign shows animals get no pleasure from suffering
How do you push people to action when it comes to anti-cruelty? You create controversy.
Best of 2019: The Sony World Photography Awards
The goal of the competition is to showcase the best contemporary photography from around the world.
Augmented Reality tattoo generates Sonic the Hedgehog
This unique Augmented Reality tattoo actually generates a version of a Sonic the Hedgehog game.
McDonald’s plans to retail its own version of Balenciaga’s fries shoes
First it was a New York souvenir company that went after Balenciaga for copying a touristy tote, now it is McDonald's turn.
Hyundai’s electric walking car concept is reminiscent of Star Wars
Presented with a video animation at CES 2019, the walking car dubbed Elevate, involves some inspired engineering that would be great to have along when doing some epic back-county skiing or biking trips.
Electroformed crystals encase these handmade bowls
Crafted using a controlled processes that's intended to resemble natural formations, this ceramicist favours working with clay.
KFC ensures you don’t smudge your phone with this synthetic finger
Sometimes you just have to share your love fried chicken while you eat. However, using your smartphone with chicken-scented fingers might leave your shiny display covered in grease and grime. Not to worry though, KFC has a better way to live-tweet what you’re eating.
Shutterstock’s 2019 Creative Trends Report reveals a retro revival
A treasure trove of bright colours, cartoon faces, and fancy animal patterns; these are just some of the highlights from the eighth annual Shutterstock Creative Trends Report.
Feel fancier this Valentine’s Day with Ketchup Caviar by Heinz
If you’re not the greatest cook, but you still want to make your Valentine a hamburger and want a fancier form of ketchup, look no further because Heinz is now making Ketchup Caviar.
Baker creates geometric pies with patterns and colour
When we think about beautifully designed desserts, cakes often get all the credit. But you can’t underestimate the power of creative pies. Lauren Ko is a Seattle-based baker who got her start after her Instagram account of pies with unique geometric designs went viral.
Russian start-up plans to deploy space-based billboards
A Russian startup, StartRocket, plans massive billboards to beam advertisements to Earth from space.
How to avoid burnout as a small business owner
1 out of 10 businesses fail because of lack of passion, and it’s estimated that negativity costs businesses $3 billion in productivity every year.
Artist swaps paint for needle & thread to create embroidery landscapes
From billowing clouds to rainbow-hued sunsets, Russian artist Vera Shimuniu has definitely mastered the art of landscape embroidery.
Nestlé says goodbye to single-use plastic
In a recent press release, Nestlé stated that it will begin eliminating all plastic straws in its products.
The top 10 freelance side gigs to earn some extra cash
Freelance side gigs are one of the best ways to earn some extra cash or stay creative if your day job isn't stimulating you anymore.
9 logo trends to keep an eye out for in 2019
A new year brings new opportunities, a fresh start, and new logo trends.
McDonald’s loses Big Mac trademark case to Irish fast food brand
McDonald’s registration of the trademark was lost because they had not proven genuine use of the term Big Mac as a burger or restaurant name.
Don’t like tying your laces? Check out Nike’s self-lacing basketball shoes
Nike's Adapt BB are an auto-lacing, app-controlled basketball shoe that's loaded technological advancements.
Handmade paper toys you squeeze, drop or tap for a fun surprise
Haruki constructs his whimsical creatures with a paper twist, and each figure’s movements are prompted by human touch.
Adult-friendly LEGO kits to build a mini Leica camera
Designer Chris McVeigh and LEGO have teamed up to create a Leica M model kit. Each set lets you build your own toy version of the iconic camera.
7 web design trends that could shape 2019
2019 web design trends are expected to see aesthetics and technology come together like never before.
Matthew Shlian turns paper into stunning geometric art
Combining a talent for sculpture with a knack for engineering, artist Matthew Shlian takes simple paper sheets and creates amazing geometric sculptures.
McDonald’s introduces its first vegan-friendly Happy Meal
One third of McDonald’s UK customers polled said it was important to them to include more meat-free meals.
For designers on the go, iPad finally gets a full version of Photoshop
Adobe’s premiere image editor, Photoshop remains the industry standard because of how the software can assist photographers and graphic designers in doing their jobs. It is, however, about the get a lot easier for Apple users. This year Adobe is finally bringing Photoshop CC—a fully…
Surviving life as a freelancer
Freelancing can be a great option whether you’re looking for more flexibility or control over your work.
The important meaning behind Pantone’s 2019 Colour Of The Year
Following 2018's intense and dramatic Ultra Violet, this year's colour is a life-affirming shade of orange with a golden undertone that's decidedly more natural than last year's choice.
The 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest winners
The categories for the 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest include Wildlife, People, and Places.
Tiffany & Co. releases what’s essentially fancy LEGO for US$1,650
Did you love LEGO as a kid, but feel that it's not luxurious enough now that you're older? Well, Tiffany & Co. has just released a more opulent version that's the perfect gift for your inner child.
Spice up the holidays with the KFC fire log
Forget pine and cinnamon. Maybe Christmas should smell like crispy fried chicken.
The #InstaGiftGuide, based on popular 2018 hashtags
The #InstaGiftGuide matches six popular hashtag trends from 2018 with gift-worthy products.