Designing for the smart(ish) home of today
David Coombs, head of strategic services at Cheil UK, says if we want people to embrace smart tech, we need to stop aiming for the future.
Product
News, views and analysis on the latest product and industrial design stories, covering transport, tech products and homewares.
Ikea launches home safety app after huge product recalls
The Ikea Safer Homes app gives users safety tips and to-do lists to better prepare their homes for children.
“It’s great to surprise people with how they might use a piece” – Rowena Edwards
The recipient of the Design Week Rising Star Award 2019 talks about her home roots, finding inspiration everywhere and why people using chairs to dry clothes is a good thing.
Young’s Brewery given rebrand with “attitude”
The new look, developed by Cornwall-based designers Kingdom & Sparrow, aims to get the “newer generation of beer drinkers” engaged with the heritage beer brand.
Picks of the month: the best design events to catch in October
This month, it’s time to rethink robots at V&A Dundee, read about the best way to design schools and a men’s magazine launches.
Using tech and a love of food to bridge the generation gap
Digital consultancy Red Badger developed ShareThyme to promote intergenerational friendships, and it seems to be catching on.
Braun’s 1959 LE speaker given a 21st century update
After a 28-year hiatus from consumer audio, Dieter Rams’ iconic LE Braun speaker has been given a refresh that stays sympathetic to the brand’s “glory years”.
Rethinking branding and packaging for the growing vegan market
Hippy clichés are out as designers push category defining identities which celebrate taste and flavour.
First look at London Design Fair 2019
Much of the work at this year’s event is underpinned by sustainability, with designs from the likes of Mexico, the UAE and Scandinavia all being featured for their eco-friendly credentials.
Plastic made from marine waste wins UK James Dyson Award 2019
MarinaTex, an organic and biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic, was developed by University of Sussex student Lucy Hughes.
Rejecting functionality can help designers tell better stories
Form and functionality have long been the focus of design, but a growing number of designers are shifting away from this, creating projects that prioritise history, culture and narrative in
Assemble briefs students on Design Ventura challenge
This year’s brief was set by Turner Prize-winning collective Assemble, and asks teens to think about the long-term impact of their designs
Design inspiration: the best projects from August
From an AR Ford Mustang campaign to a new book series illustrated by Quentin Blake, these are some of our favourite projects from the last month.
How biomimicry is driving innovation in design
Biomimicry — design inspired by nature — is well-established but a new set of projects demonstrates its evolution, as well as its limitations.
£100m “Get Ready for Brexit” campaign launches
The campaign, which will cover billboards and social media, directs the public to a website with advice on preparing for Brexit.
Lego launches Braille instructions for the visually impaired
The guides use AI technology to translate visual information into voice-commanded and Braille instructions.
The world’s first cat-inspired font
The design was conceived as part of the roll out for cat food subscription brand, Smalls.
Can design fix the funeral industry’s sustainability crisis?
From burial pods to liquid cremation, we look at the people designing more sustainable ways to die.
Rolls-Royce Bespoke: designing for a luxury brand
As Rolls-Royce makes a leap into high-end lifestyle products, we catch up with head of bespoke Gavin Hartley to find out how his design team works and where the brand
This robot charts the sun’s path on your wall with the help of Olafur Eliasson
Scribit has collaborated with the artist and designer’s Little Sun project in an attempt to create the “world’s largest mosaic”.
Design inspiration: the best studio projects from July
Reinterpretations of Robin Day chairs, a handy primer on Northern city names and a digital identity for a Rwandan girls empowerment magazine are some of our favourite design projects this
Detecting cancer to dementia care: how is AI being used to help patients?
Artificial intelligence tools can analyse huge amounts of public health data, spot trends in disease development and monitor people’s safety, all of which give doctors and nurses more time to
Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has found that the mental health and experiences of those receiving intrusive examinations, surgery, chemotherapy and emergency care are improved when visual art is installed.
NASA astronaut designs lightweight luggage for space
The suitcase aimed at space tourists weighs just 900g and can stick itself to walls in zero gravity.