Picks of the month: the best design events of December
From books and talks to the virtual version of a blockbuster exhibition, there’s plenty to see and do in the lead-up to Christmas.
BIPOC visual culture journal Seen launches with “irreverent” design
The new twice-annual journal of film and visual culture takes some aesthetic cues from academia, while flipping others completely, according to its designer.
The UK’s craft industry can help local communities “survive and flourish”
Research into the UK’s craft economy from UCA highlights economic growth and a rise in online opportunities but also gaps in support for makers.
Could this VR sketching tool be coming of age for designers?
Oluwaseyi Sosanya, founder of Gravity Sketch, tells Design Week virtual 3D sketching is a “gateway to new abilities”, so long as the industry can overcome a “cultural hurdle”.
Dad rebrands digital perfumery avoiding “generic elegance” of other fragrance brands
The updated look for Sillages Paris features a new typeface, illustrations, art direction and brand visuals, all communicated in a “bold and fun” visual language.
This AI task-based app hopes to improve dementia care
Mindset4Dementia takes people through three cognitive tasks with the aim of creating a significant dementia database and one day screen for the syndrome.
Camille Walala imagines a “plant-filled and people-focused” Oxford Street
Inspired by lockdown’s empty streets, the French designer has reimagined the central London location as a nature-enriched place to meet and rest.
Spotify’s Canvas platform lets designers create mini music videos
Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift have all used the streaming service’s Canvas feature to create looping visuals for their music.
Echo designs Kleenex’s new product range to avoid “moments of distress”
The Proactive Care range will feature face masks, hand sanitisers and wipes and aims to reassure consumers amid the anxiety of the pandemic.
British Plastics Federation launch sustainable plastic packaging design database
The interactive Eco Design Guide hub collects sustainable design tools and guides from around the world, with the aim of helping make plastic usage more sustainable.
Steve McQueen’s production company reveals “nostalgic” logo
Lammas Park’s logo has been inspired by an oak tree in the London park close to where the celebrated filmmaker grew up.
At-home AI breast cancer test wins International Dyson Award
Spanish student Judit Giró Benet has scooped the top prize this year, while Filipino student Carvey Ehren Maigue won the competition’s first ever sustainability award.
Clever Franke designs interactive world map to dispel “absolute fog” of investing
Globalance World is an interactive platform which seeks to reposition investing away from profits and towards “global societal and environmental issues”.
D&AD unveils its first-ever digital annual for 2020
Designed by Studio Dumbar, the design and advertising group’s 58th and first-ever digital annual hopes to be its “most accessible” issue yet.
McDonald’s unveils “bright and beautiful” new packaging designs
The packaging will be rolled out globally over the next two years, to ensure the fast food restaurant chain has “one consistent look”.
Malika Favre “bends bodies” into an erotic alphabet in her new Kama Sutra A-Z
The illustrator has worked with Counter-Print on a new book which sees her turn the 26 letters of the alphabet into erotic art pieces.
Pentagram helps Virgin Money launch as challenger bank
The design studio has created the branding for the new bank, which features two bespoke typefaces and a repeating loop pattern.
Tom Vek’s portable music player aims to lead a “digital album artwork revolution”
Sleevenote and its accompanying music library app aim to draw attention to album artwork in an age of digital music consumption.
This flag project uses data to highlight danger of “glacier extinction”
Meltdown Flags by design studio Moby Digg sees countries’ flags redrawn using data according to the disappearance of their glaciers.
Templo uses “distorted” images to brand the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition
The anti-corruption organisation was looking for a visual identity to reflect its aims of holding power to account and improving transparency.
Norway’s redesigned passports pay homage to the Northern Lights
Norwegian studio Neue has revealed the minimalist designs of its six-year development process, which feature UV details and a “panorama” of scenic images.
Wearable air purifier and diabetes earring lead social impact showcase
The projects have been revealed as part of the line-up for the 2020 Global Grad Show, which showcases student and academic responses to social issues.
Sunderland Future Living Expo identity is a “window into the future”
Studio Blackburn has led the branding for the event, which will concentrate on the future of sustainable home building.
This educational app creates AR statues of black figures from history
History Bites seeks to address the gaps in a “Eurocentric” curriculum by creating AR statues of famous black figures throughout history.
