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.
How to make your portfolio website stand out from the crowd
If you want to be discovered for your creative abilities, the quickest and easiest way is online. A portfolio website—with assistance from social media—is the best way to show the world what you can do. In fact, it can even help attract the attention of…
Why you should wear the same thing to work every day
Throughout the work week we’re confronted with thousands of decisions, both big and small; whether its choosing between #0099FF and #3399FF, or deciding to entirely change careers. With every decision you make, you’re using up the finite supply of mental energy allocated to you each day.…
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,…
How career choices and your personality type relate
Have you ever wondered if your personality type affects where you land a job or end up in a certain field? Did you know that your personality type can predict how much money you’ll make, how many people you’ll supervise, even if you’ll like your…
Only designers will understand these GIFs
The design world has its ups and downs. There are pain-in-the-ass clients, the frustration of being asked to work for free, but also the little victories you can achieve during a project. So, to highlight these ups and downs, Creative Market has put together a collection of animated…
10 tips to improve your design portfolio
You'll never know what opportunities you missed out on because someone landed on your tired, old portfolio.
Infographic: The five levels of business attire
Believe it or not, dressing for work is a tricky business and many people actually do it wrong. In fact, picking the proper business attire doesn’t depend solely on your rank in the company, but your age and the type or work you do as…
How to endorse yourself during a job interview
Does the mere thought of a job interview make you feel stressed? Are you worried about the types of questions the interviewer is going to throw at you or saying something stupid? This stress can push us to tell lies during an interview.
Infographic: The anatomy of a successful résumé
Are you looking for work? Have you polished up your résumé? With potential employers only looking at résumés for an average of 6 seconds, you need a successful résumé that stands out from the rest.
How to be the jerk on your design team
When you’re working on your own, there’s a sense of freedom to do things your way on your time. However, if you’re working as part of a design team, it’s easy for personalities to clash.
The truth about the funny little lies designers tell their clients
Clients, while a necessary evil, are part of a designer’s life. Sure, they make up excuses to try to get cheaper work. And yes, they often make ridiculous demands. But designers don’t always tell their clients the truth either.
What not to say on your first day at work
It's natural to want to fit in. However, many people end up trying too hard, and talk when they should listen.
Analyzing the signatures of tech entrepreneurs
Your signature is unique to you. It’s a mark that represents you on important documents; something that allows people to trust that what it represents came from you. But did you know that signatures can indicate over 5,000 personality traits?
Choosing the best careers based on your zodiac sign
For as long as humans have been around, we’ve looked to the stars for answers. And one of the biggest questions continues to be “what do I do with my life?” Well, online psychic reading service Crystal Heart Psychics has come up with a helpful…
Bloomberg reveals the deadliest jobs in America
What do you think are the deadliest jobs where you are? Since America introduced the Occupational Safety and Health Act back in 1970, workplace standards have improved. However, while job fatalities have declined by more than 60 percent since then, some jobs remain far more…
Phone etiquette rules every professional should follow
Presenting a professional image, both on the phone and in person, is very important.
The cheat sheet for bossing your interview
By bossing your interview, you'll show your future employer that you’re smart and ready for anything.
8 time-saving templates for creatives
It doesn’t matter if you’re a freelance designer or work at an agency; with countless publications, briefs, other print pieces and so little time on hands, here are 10 useful time-saving templates to help.
Things clients say when wanting cheaper work
There’s no doubt that you’ll come across clients who make ridiculous demands. And sure, designers might tell little lies to avoid having to deal with those demands. But what do you do when a client comes to you wanting cheaper work?
Find out how you can appear smart in meetings
Not everyone enjoys meetings. Some see it as a waste of time—where they could be completing their work—while others find it a necessity to keep on top of current projects. However, it can be pretty nerve-racking if you don’t know what’s going on in the…
The 4 elements of a successful creative pitch
When doing a creative pitch, you've only got shot to win your client and ensure they don't reject your idea.
12 tricks to help you appear smart in emails
This infographic teaches us how to sound “important” in our emails.
Price your creative jobs with 5 simple questions
Like most creatives, you’re probably undervaluing the work you do. Maybe it’s because you don’t want to scare off a potential client, you’re trying to compete with other designers, or you’re just not sure how.
Infographic: How to have the perfect day at work
How can we make our work days more effective? The details will likely vary depending on your profession and responsibilities, but there are still universal hacks we can all apply.
5 ways to increase your value to your clients
Let’s face it. There are plenty of other designers or businesses out there offering products and services similar your own. So, what makes you different? What makes your clients choose you over all the other options out there?
Easy tips on how to write a résumé
You’re a smart job seeker. You know that your résumé is a key part of getting a new job. That’s why you’re taking this time to learn how to write a résumé so you have the best chance of landing an interview and then the…
A beer to help you reach your creative peak
Can beer make you more creative? Research suggests that yes, if you get just drunk enough you can boost brainpower.
Infographic: Which graphic design career suits you?
Are you looking to join the design industry and turn your big ideas into bigger creative? If you’re looking to start a graphic design career, you need to figure out which speciality suits you best.
Infographic: 34 crucial tips for your next job interview
So you’ve applied for a new job and landed yourself an interview. A job interview can be intimidating; not only are you worried about impressing a potential employer with your skills and experience, but you’re also worried about making rookie mistakes. Now is time to think about your…
Infographic: 15 ways to beat procrastination
Procrastination can strike anyone, but once it gets hold of you, it can be very difficult to remove yourself from its grasp.
For Ad people: A website that generates badass job titles
Do you not have a title at work or don’t like the one that you have? The Badass Advertising Job Titles website lets you create your very own important-sounding job title.
Discover the work habits of Millennials
Sorry bosses, a new breed of worker is attacking everything you hold sacred—from giving orders, to your starched white shirt and tie. They’re called Millennials (or Generation Y); born between 1980 and 1995, they’re rapidly taking over jobs from baby boomers who are now entering retirement.
Infographic: Take back your mornings
Are you usually less productive in the morning? For me, mornings are time to get things done before the workday begins. However, great mornings don’t just happen, they’re planned. They’re also about creating a routine that works; keeping you inspired and not just wired.
Infographic: The 10 most irritating co-worker habits
You can pick your friends, you can’t pick your family and for the most part, you can’t pick your co-workers. Even if you could, it’s hard to see through the veneer of professional behaviour most people put on for a job interview. Worst of all, unlike with irritating acquaintances,…
How coffee reflects your productivity at work
Could you start the day without your morning Double-Double? Is it out of habit or do we really believe that a morning coffee will increase our productivity at work?
Discover 40 different ways to stay creative
After a while, trying to be creative feels like beating a dead horse. However, if you’re in need of a little inspiration, this handy infographic may be just what you need.
Why designers don’t need to be told how to do their job
When design-illiterate executives get involved in the design process, it’s never a good thing. Designers often face this unavoidable scenario; various individuals wanting to contribute their two cents’ worth in the design process.
One simple dress code rule to boost your career
Whether you’re job hunting or just want to be taken seriously at work, how you present yourself is an often overlooked. In fact, the dress code is integral part of your career and can boost your chances at impressing others.
Discover the annoying types of office personalities
if you're not sure what to look out for, this infographic will help you identify the more annoying office personalities.
How to start a successful career as a freelancer
Are you tired of working for the man? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little extra coin. Well, if you choose to become a freelancer, then New York-based company Fiverr has designed an infographic that details ways to successfully start a career that way.
Designer brews and sends out his own Resum-Ale
Having a good résumé is important for catching the eye of potential employers; having a clever and creative résumé lets you stand out from the crowd. Web and Graphic Designer Brennan Gleason went the extra mile with his home brewed Resum-Ale.
Pocket Art Director gives you on-the-spot design advice
When deadlines are on the horizon, chances are your art director is nowhere to be found. If talking to your other colleagues would result in a prolonged ramblings, then you need the Pocket Art Director.
How to build a crossbow out of simple office supplies
It’s time to take your spitball firepower to the next level with this guide for constructing a crossbow out of office supplies. Dave Hax is a YouTuber who frequently features cool projects and life hacks on his Youtube channel.
Infographic: 3 common time wasters at work
The majority of workers spend an average of eight hours every single working day sitting at their desks. So it’s not surprising that sometimes we don’t have the motivation to work. Some of the most common time wasters are pretty normal, like frequently checking email. Others, like…
Discover the simple ideas you can use to stimulate creativity
For people who generate ideas for a living, it is not uncommon to experience creativity ruts. To help you keep the creative juices flowing, Spanish ad agency SHOUT! Marketing has created an infographic, which lists a number of simple things that you can do everyday to stimulate the creative…
The Survival Kit: getting you through office “emergencies”
A lot of unexpected things can happen in the course of a day at the office—and making it through an office emergency can be difficult. So don’t wait until disaster strikes. It’s a smart idea to have office survival kits prepared for you and your…
Infographic: Translating client-speak like a pro
If you’re in the marketing industry, like myself, trying to understand client feedback can be a tricky and confusing affair. Clients say one thing, but they actually mean another. It’s basically listening to a non-designer trying to explain type theory to you.
Ridiculous demands made by advertising clients
Clients often come up with ridiculous demands, but none more than to those in advertising and marketing.
Infographic: A 7 day plan to stay productive
Online task managing website HiTask has created an infographic titled ‘7 Day Plan to Stay Productive’. It aims to help readers complete daily tasks and reach their weekly goals.
Humorous comic depicts the styles of writing
No matter what the genre, a good writer needs to set the mood for their readers. Understanding the different styles of writing can give perspective into taking a blank page and figuring out how to mix things up to get the words flowing.