Picks of the month: the best design events in March 2021
With an end to lockdown in sight, the online-only events in our March round-up could be some of the last. Here’s what’s going on.
Meet the design studios making new products and businesses in uncertain times
From virtual property presentation platforms to craftivism clothing kits, studios are using the current situation to explore new avenues.
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon: “I designed because I needed to eat”
The 93-year-old graphic designer, who began her career in the 1950s, talks type, luck and forever seeking Armin Hofmann’s “prima”.
Why a cardboard shortage is driving innovation in packaging design
Online shopping, office closures and Brexit have all impacted cardboard supplies. Material innovation and smarter packaging design could provide a solution.
How Bruce Blackburn and Richard Danne designed the NASA Worm
Following the news of Bruce Blackburn’s passing at the age of 82, we look back on how the ubiquitous red logo was developed.
Dating apps are redesigning to find users love in lockdown
While the pandemic has presented clear challenges for people looking to date, apps have attempted to meet these difficulties – and explore new opportunities.
Interior inspiration: Design Week’s picks
Although it may take a while before we can see them in the flesh, here are some real-world interiors projects from the hospitality sector that have caught our eye recently.
Designers are helping esports brands sharpen up as business booms
As the global competitive gaming sector soars, designers are helping esports teams and organisations face the future without forgetting the past.
What role can designers play in the introduction of alternative meat products?
As alternative protein sources become more prevalent, we explore how design can help shape the journey from production to branding.
Dan Perri: the designer behind your favourite film
As he approaches the launch of his retrospective book, we speak to the designer about “unhinging” his brain, working with Scorsese and avoiding over-designing.
Design inspiration: the best projects from January
The start of a new year brought us an identity for a Covid-adapted restaurant, calligraphic coffee branding and a new series of lockdown posters.
Tré Seals wants to diversify design through typography
Seals set up foundry Vocal Type – which takes inspiration from past protest movements – in the hope of celebrating creatives of colour.
Picks of the month: the best (at home) design events in February
It will be another month spent at home but you can still take in everything from utopian community building to overcoming creative barriers and more.
New Design Council CEO Minnie Moll: “You can’t retrofit design thinking”
We speak to the incoming CEO about why design needs to be at the forefront of “build back better” operations, and how her previous business background will help in her
As millennial investment apps boom designers are meeting the demand
While challenger investment platforms are reaching a new generation, there are plenty of design obstacles in the developing sector.
How design can help universities both distinguish and unite their offering
We speak to designer Christine Ayre, who was recently made a Fellow of King’s College London, about how design can give a sense of coherency to institutions’ output.
How Ladybird’s classic nature books were updated for a new generation
Illustrator Natasha Durley discusses modernising the classic nature series, incorporating new features of the UK’s landscape and a “layered” technique.
In-house teams: how Facebook designers work “cross-family” to unite its offering
As part of our series looking at in-house design teams, we talk to Facebook director of product design Austin Chang about cross-family design, moving beyond apps and taking on 1,000
This start-up challenger is designing glasses for Black people
After years of struggling to find glasses that fit, the brains behind Reframd are using tech to design frames to fit the “face landmarks” of Black people.
How designers are “animating the sky” with drones
A series of recent high-profile events have featured futuristic drones shows – but as these designers tell us, a good production needs more than just tech to tell a story.
Design in 2021 – what will retail design look like?
As part of our series looking at design in 2021, Landor & Fitch executive creative director Alasdair Lennox looks at what will happen in retail design in the next 12
CES 2021: smart masks, smarter homes and flying vehicles
Tech giants from around the world gathered for this year’s virtual festival, but what are the main takeaways?
Design in 2021 – what will furniture design look like?
As part of our series of design in 2021, Ruth Wassermann, design director at Made.com looks at what will happen in furntiure design in the next 12 months.
Five projects that reflect design in an age of crisis
The projects were part of a worldwide open call by London Design Biennale organisers, and cover everything from music, to sex education and disaster relief.
