Could musical instruments be reimagined to make them more accessible?
Design Partners researcher Anusia Grennell shares insight into the world of musical instrument design and tips on establishing a more inclusive approach.
Interactive
Read about digital and technology-focused projects from consultancies and digital studios, including user experience (UX), website and app design.
Behind the veil: Tom Lloyd on why VR tech needs a rethink
Pearson Lloyd’s Tom Lloyd considers why the metaverse is offputting for many and how the barriers to entry might be lowered.
ITV’s Gen Z media brand Woo taps into the “fluidity” of youth culture today
A blend of pop culture references and 3D textures have been used to brand the new youth-focused editorial platform.
This language app’s branding hopes to “open up a world of possibilities”
Fellow has created the identity for Kleo, based on the idea that people can “be anywhere” when they’re using the app.
Are too many apps for children “dangerous by design?”
Big Motive content designer Rachel Orr looks at where the dangers are and shares tips for designers on how to design digital services which help protect children.
Design inspiration: our favourite projects from March
Folklore-inspired craft beers to a lighting project at a children’s hospital ward are among some of our favourite projects from the past month.
Circa5000’s future-facing rebrand hopes to reframe impact investing
The impact investing app previously known as Tickr has a new name and look – all inspired by a world some 3,000 years in the future.
Design Council asks the public to take part in designing future train stations
Citizens across Britain will be able to engage first-hand with new plans for small and medium stations via virtual reality pop-ups in May.
SXSW 22: tech world reflects on past mistakes to look forward
Else partner and chief design officer Dave Dunlop heads to SXSW Conference where he finds ethics and real human connection are taking precedent over hype trends.
Design events to catch in March
There’s plenty on offer for design lovers this month – from in-person craft events to the reopening of a gallery crucial to British art history.
Should interior designers be paying attention to the metaverse?
We consult designers working to produce digital furniture, lighting and spaces to find out where the opportunities are.
This interactive data visualisation goes inside NYC’s “Surveillance Machine”
Digital design studio Superposition has developed the visualisation in partnership with Amnesty International, as part of its “Ban The Scan” campaign.
How Es Devlin designed this year’s Super Bowl half-time show
Featuring some of the biggest names in music, the stage was designed by Devlin to look like five adjoining house parties.
Justified carves a space “between TikTok and Depop” for Gen Z shopping app
The London-based studio has developed the name, branding and technology behind Finds, which allows users to sell their clothes using video uploads.
This VR game recreates a bomb shelter hidden beneath London
Secret Shelter Challenge is designed to let children access an area currently off-limits to them: the subterranean Clapham South bomb shelter.
Royal Mail reveals new everyday stamps with interactive barcodes
Everyday stamps, which are known as “definitive stamps”, have changed very little since the design was introduced in 1967.
Design inspiration: our favourite projects from the last month
We look back on some impactful graphics work, a self-heating lunchbox and more.
The Scottish government has launched an app to find free period products
PickupMyPeriod has been designed by Edinburgh-based Pogo Studio and allows users to find one of 700 locations where free products can be found.
Australian Open debuts sound design intervention for blind tennis fans
Action Audio by AKQA uses real-time ball monitoring technology and spatial sound design to give low-sight audiences insight into what is happening on the court.
Microsoft and A_DA rebuild Ancient Olympia for new AR experience
The experience, which recreates the famed Statue of Zeus, is part of Microsoft’s AI for Cultural Heritage initiative.
Design in 2022 – what will interactive design look like?
As part of our series of design in 2022, Tommy Taylor, Alphabetical creative partner, offers his view on what might happen in interactive design over the next year.
CES 2022 trends: entering the metaverse and colour-changing cars
Omicron resulted in a streamlined edition of the leading technology conference, though colour-changing cars and virtual technology still caught our attention.
Design events to catch in January
As 2022 kicks off, the typically quiet month of January has a host of design events to catch – from online trade shows to documentaries.
20something designs angular identity for The News Movement
The branding for the social-first news platform comprises a series of angular shapes, designed to showcase a multi-perspective approach.