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.
Presenting 25+ of the best free fonts to download
I’ve scoured the web to present you with a list of free fonts of varying styles that include: scripts, serifs, and a range of retro, grunge and more! These free fonts will give you greater flexibility in your designs and add to your arsenal of design tools. Some of…
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.
Typography tips for better web design and sales
We’re a visual society. And with our fast-paced lives and the amount of information we’re constantly barraged with, it takes a striking visual to get our attention. But you also need smart copy presented with good typography to back it up.
Miniature scenes of summer captured in jewellery
Labour Day passed, the kids back to school and summer is wrapping up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take the memory of season and wear them wherever you go.
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…
Designer humorously responds to client request to “Make the logo bigger”
“Making the logo bigger!” is a painful punchline among designers worldwide. In fact, this common client request is loathed almost as much as “Looks great. Can you make this one minor change: try the logo with Helvetica?”
If logos were honest about the brands they represented
Logo design and branding are the best ways to create a visual touch point for products and services. But they don’t always accurately reflect the products that they stand for. And as much as we love certain brands for their visually appealing logos, what if famous brands were…
Get over 200 Windows icons for free
When Microsoft released Windows 10, it also released the icon font Segoe UI Symbol. This icon font is recommended for use by developers when designing apps on Windows 10 devices. But one design company argues that Segoe UI Symbol adds visual noise because the icons…
How big brands use colour to affect your emotions
More than just text and symbols, a logo has the power to create a lasting connection with consumers.
Humorous responses to a couple asking for Photoshop help
Although Photoshop trolling isn’t anything new, the outcome never ceases to provide a good laugh. And when you invite the Internet for Photoshop help to edit a picture, you should expect cheeky responses from people wanting to add their own sense of humour into the mix. And…
10 steps to becoming the perfect graphic designer
If you haven’t heard of Medium, it’s a site where you can read, write, and interact with millions of ideas and stories from around the world. 10 Steps To Becoming The Perfect Graphic Designer is a humorous tongue-in-cheek post by Philadelphia-based designer Patrick Macomber that should give…
Save dinner with this handy Kitchen First Aid Kit poster
Cooking dinner can be an intimidating task, whether you’re single and on your own. But it’s also an invaluable skill to have. And while cooking at home not only saves your wallet, but it can also make a difference in your waistline.
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.
Is your website design following this year’s colour trends?
Trends come and go in all aspects of the design industry, as do the colour trends that go along with them. So far, this year has been all about vibrant colours. Hues like red, orange, pink and bright green, blue and purple have become a focal point and…
Pantone predictions for the fall are down to earth
It’s hard to believe that summer is half over. Designers of all industries need to start preparing their creative juices this fall with the latest Pantone predictions for the upcoming season.
This book shows you how to fold sex-themed origami
If you really want to impress people with artistic paper folding skills beyond making paper airplanes, origami is the way to go. Origami is the art of paper folding and normally features animals shapes, flowers, and other designs. However, if standard origami is a bit too boring…
How typography can help boost a brand
To creatives and designers, typography has never played a more crucial role to boost a brand than it does today. Your brand is more than a logo; it’s the emotion that consumers associate a brand with when using your product or service.
Funny puns containing the true meaning of words
Every word has a definition, but that doesn’t mean we use them in their proper context; the true meaning of words aren’t always the same as what we say. As part of an ongoing project, Sam Omo—better known as DOWNSIGN—has illustrated the meaning of words,…
How to become a UI designer or UX designer
If you’re looking to start a career as a designer, you”ll quickly be overwhelmed by the number of titles thrown around. There are user experience (UX) designers, user interface (UI) designers, motion designers, product designers, graphic designers and so on.
Responsive design explained with animated GIFs
Do you know the difference between responsive design and adaptive design? There’s some argument over whether responsive or adaptive designs are better. Regardless, responsive design is the solution most chosen for multi-screen problems. That means designers need to become familiar with the concepts and basic principles for responsive…
The most admired typefaces by world-renowned designers
If you could use just eight typefaces, which would you choose?
Emerging logo design trends to look for this year
A trend report by LogoLounge has revealed the some of the biggest visual styles and influences in logo design for 2015. The report also reveals how the advent of new digital devices has changed designers’ approaches to creating stylish, memorable logos.
Gigantic mirrored letters that reflect their surroundings
San Francisco Design Week is the Bay Area’s largest design event, bringing together thousands of people across every discipline of design for a week of events, talks, and open-studios. As part of their Look Closer campaign, branding and design agency Character has created a series of gigantic…
Learn the best ways to photograph a moving object
Do you have problems shooting a moving object with a camera? It’s not just the speed of your subject that counts, it’s where you stand and the angle you shoot from.
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.
Architectural optical illusion makes church disappear
You don’t need to be a religious person to appreciate the architectural designs of churches and mosques. However, the design of this church in Borgloon, Belgium, has baffled locals. The building appears whole from one angle, but appears to dissolve into thin air from another.
The top 10 fonts designers love to hate. Is your on the list?
There are certain fonts that designers love to hate for one reason or another—either due to their overuse or ugliness. Sometimes it’s because of just a few characters; sometimes it’s the whole design.
Artist transform famous paintings into Batman-themed pop art
A massive Batman fan, Los Angeles-based artist Vartan Garnikyan has been putting his love of the Caped Crusader on canvas. Vartan’s transformed famous paintings, duplicating their styles and turning them into Batman-themed pop art.
The 2 types of email users: Which are you?
All email users have their own unique habits, it seems. I’ve known some who have to read every single email that comes through their inbox. And I’ve known others who have completely opposite habits, only checking what’s at the top… sometimes.
Adorable, brutally honest circle of life illustrations
Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and other invertebrates each have their own unique circle of life. And while all animals need to be safe and to reproduce, they also need to eat; one animal feeds off of another to survive—that’s just how it is.
Amazing 3D anamorphic graffiti that appears to be floating
Portuguese street artist Sergio Odeith can create stunning 3D graffiti optical illusions that evoke the feeling of spatial depth. However, these two-dimensional artworks uses clever perspective and shading techniques to create anamorphic masterpieces.
10 humorous confessions of a guilty designer
Even if you're a diligent designer, you've probably committed at least one or two design sins.
Infographic: 50 important rules of document design
For non-designers, graphic design can appear a difficult task to master. There are multiple styles, typefaces, colour choices, layout options and more. However, when it comes to document design, you can narrow things down to a few basic principles. Master those and you’ll be able…
Realistic glass sculptures inspired by ocean waves
Inspired by their love for nature, ocean waves and the underwater environment, Californian-based Paul DeSomma and Marsha Blaker create stunning glass sculptures and vases.
Colourful geometric popsicles, almost too gorgeous to eat
Possibly too gorgeous to eat, these colourful geometric popsicles don’t relate to your average treat. Made to look like architectural design pieces, Berlin-based architect Manu Kumar and designer Stefan Gendl came up with the geometric popsicles in collaborated with Nuna.
Amazing honeycomb sculptures made with the help of bees
The honeycomb sculptures are a result of this artist's beekeeping hobby.
Making fun of common type mistakes using Star Wars quotes
More than just arranging pretty fonts on a nice background, typography is an essential part of most designs—they can make or break a project. Unfortunately, common type mistakes tend to make a bigger statement than good typography. They stick out like a sore thumb, while good…
Handmade resin bracelets made with real flowers & leaves
Do you give the gift of flowers to your special someone? If you do, instead of giving them a bouquets that will wither away after a few days, gift these beautifully bracelets instead.
Clever posters to learn fun facts about your body
Who doesn’t love the cool information featuring weird did you know fun facts about the human body? For instance, the human eye is so sensitive that if the Earth were flat, you could spot a candle flickering at night from up to 30 miles away.
Funny, minimalist letterpress Valentine’s Day cards
Happy Valentine’s Day! Yes, it’s that time of year again when we spend copious amounts of money to show our loved ones just how much we care.
The world’s most beautiful geometric designed chocolates
Japanese design firm Nendo was declared Maison & Objet’s Designer of the Year. And to celebrate, they were invited to design a lounge for visitors at the furniture and design show. For the show — along with designing the lounge — they decided to create a…
Sarcastic poster series shows the reality of being a photographer
Few careers are romanticized like that of a photographer; traveling the world, engaging with people, places and things. But is the reality all that attractive?
Beautifully crafted 3D paper sculptures by Richard Sweeney
English artist Richard Sweeney has created an impressive collection of beautifully crafted paper sculptures. Ranging from intricate geometric origami to wonderfully expressive figure sculptures, his intricate pieces are inspired by architecture and nature.
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.
7 useful graphic design tips for non-designers
When creating designs for print or web, you don’t need a degree in graphic design. You just need to wrap your head around some of the best graphic design practices. In a blog post for online design tool Canva, graphic designer Poppie Pack has outlined some useful design…
You can now doodle on cookies with edible colour markers
When you’re a child, you’re parents tell you not to play with your food. Well, now you can draw on it instead. While I’ve previously posted about creating art on food and drink with the a spice pen, you can now let your imagination run wild…
Humorous first drafts of popular movies
Brainstorming is one of the best ways to come up with new ideas. It’s also a good way to get the crappy ideas out or your head so you can think more clearly. And even the most experienced writer won’t come up with great ideas…
A website that helps you match typefaces
To help you mix and match typefaces for your next project, Canva has created a Font Combinations website.
How parents can make a difference in a creative child’s life
There are many ways to define creativity; putting things together in unique ways, or seeing the a given problem with fresh eyes. And while we all solve problem in creative ways, encouraging it in others can make a big difference.