Design inspiration: the best projects from October
Some of this month’s most inspiring projects offer escapism, while others are a reaction to the everchanging political landscape we find ourselves in.
Mat Hunter: “Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not”
Having recently opened the doors of his new Plus X innovation space, the former Design Council chief design officer talks to Design Week about confidence, regional development and why he
How Fortnite and Farmville prompted the digital clothing revolution
Well-established fashion houses are turning their attention to digital clothing – we talk to the founders of three platforms to find out how digital design is paving the way.
How will the furlough replacement scheme affect designers?
With just over a week to go until the end of the furlough scheme, we break down what the government’s next support package means for designers.
First look: new British Library exhibition explores fight for women’s rights
Designed by Plaid and Lombaert Studio, Unfinished Business takes visitors on a journey of activism from the feminist thinkers of the 1700s, to the campaigners of today.
Opera studio brings the Arctic to the British Museum with climate change exhibition
Featuring mammoth tusks and refitted snowmobiles, Arctic: Culture and Climate is designed to evoke the polar landscape in an “abstract” way.
Beazley Designs of the Year showcases coronavirus responses and social tensions
The annual awards exhibition aims to highlight the diverse design reponses to world events, from self-sanitising door handles to Stormzy’s police vest.
How Javier Jaén plays with everyday objects in his “symbolic” editorial work
The Barcelona-born graphic designer and his “playful” editorial portfolio is the subject of a new Counter-Print book.
In-house teams: how Duolingo designs to make language education “universal”
As part of our series looking at in-house design teams, we talk to the heads of art and design about harnessing the creativity of illustrators, graphic designers and product designers.
Can drones take off as a delivery service?
Long seen as a potential delivery system, drones have been enjoying renewed attention during the pandemic – though obstacles remain.
Rihanna Savage x Fenty 2020 set designer: “I think we took it even further”
LA designer Willo Perron discusses working on Rihanna’s much-anticipated second lingerie show, which features performances by Lizzo and Travis Scott.
David Pearson: “We can be braver with book design in the UK”
The former Penguin in-house designer talks typographic tips, avoiding apologetic design and why authors care so much about how their books look today.
Picks of the month: the best design events to catch in October
Designers have a pop-up garden, a deep dive into British logos, the Beazley Designs of the Year exhibition and more to see them into the autumn months.
Design inspiration: the best projects from September
Some of the most inspiring projects from the month include heat-reactive stamps with a hidden message and a mycelium “living coffin”.
“Our isolation makes us resourceful”: a New Zealand design guide
As part of our series exploring countries’ design cultures, we look at how the island nation’s close-knit community is intent on challenging tradition.
What’s driving so many car brands to redesign their identity?
As Vauxhall becomes the latest car brand to reveal a flat logo, designers discuss why so many marques are opting for pared-back identities.
First look: designing the IWM’s exhibition on the lives of refugees
The show, designed by Nissen Richards Studio aims to tell “the wider story of displacement alongside individuals’ narratives”.
What designers need to know about the government’s Winter Economy Plan
In a statement to the commons the chancellor has announced the successor to the furlough scheme, as he urged listeners to “learn to live without fear”.
Getting to know Marylou Faure and the “strong and feminine” women she draws
The Parisian illustrator is well-known for her playfully proportioned women and colourful characters — but where does this style come from?
“It’s not a fluffy bubble full of concepts”: Inside Ford’s Innovation Lab
We speak with Usha Raghavachari, director of D-Ford’s London innovation lab, about human-centred design, getting to know customers in forensic detail, and calling “babies” ugly.
Sebastian Conran: “What I got from my father is there has to be a big idea”
The designer talks to Design Week about personal and professional life with his father Terence Conran, who passed away earlier this week.
Samsung’s design drive to “make new technology relevant”
We speak to a principal Samsung designer to find out how the company is using advancements in tech to create “meaningful” changes in consumers’ lives.
Remembering Terence Conran: “No one has done more to create modern Britain”
The designer, retailer and restaurateur behind some of Britain’s best-loved and far-reaching designs has died at the age of 88.
The design world comes together to celebrate the life and work of Sir Terence Conran
Designers have been paying tribute to the late designer, who was responsible for creating and popularising many of the home comforts we’ve come to love.
