Marketing & Design
Brand, creative, martech and the consumer, read for the decisions behind the work rather than the work alone.
Marketing and Design covers the work of making people want things, and the decisions that sit behind it. Three stories a weekday at 11: a rebrand and what it risks, a visual system and why it was built, a consumer shift and what it costs to ignore. The beats are brand strategy, creative and design, martech, and consumer insights, with a Funny lane for the campaigns that made us laugh, on purpose or otherwise. We write every summary ourselves and link to the publisher, because the reporting is theirs. What is ours is the choice, and the editor’s note under the day’s lead says why it was made. Readers here run marketing functions, design teams and agencies in India, the United States and the United Kingdom, and the stories are chosen for what travels between those markets.
Every story we have kept in Marketing & Design, newest first. Headlines link to the publisher; the tags below narrow the list.
This Multigenerational Home in India Will Change What You Think You Know About Indoor/Outdoor Living
An Indian architect created a multigenerational home for their parents in Nellore, India, using locally sourced materials and a courtyard design to provide a comfortable living space for the entire family.
gustaf westman gives disney’s mickey & friends his signature chunky, colorful forms
Gustaf Westman has collaborated with Disney to create a collection of furniture and household items featuring Mickey Mouse and friends in exaggerated, colourful forms. The collection includes items such as a Mickey Mouse armchair and a Donald Duck bookstand. The designs blend Disney characters with Westman's signature style.
Editor's noteGustaf Westman's collaboration with Disney is a merchandising play, not a design innovation. The collection's value lies in its ability to sell Disney's brand to a new audience, rather than pushing the boundaries of furniture design. Watch whether the collection's success is measured by sales figures or critical acclaim, because that will reveal the true priorities of this partnership.
Design by numbers: is AI ruining UX or just pouring gasoline on the fire?
A debate on AI's role in UX design highlights the risk of prioritizing output over outcome, with experts warning that relying solely on AI can lead to delivering bad user experiences.
What AI has changed in Design Systems, and what is still up to us
Three design experts discuss how AI is changing Design Systems, with varying approaches to balance automation and human input for complex decisions and brand consistency, highlighting the limitations of AI in certain areas.
Editor's noteDesign Systems are not just about automation, but about people and process. The real challenge is not what AI can do, but what it can't: making nuanced decisions that require human judgment and empathy. Watch the number of design teams that adopt a 'guardrails' approach, where AI is a tool, not a replacement, for human designers.
40,000 ADUs in New York by 2039? Not at This Pace
New York City's ADU permit numbers remain low, despite a 2024 law allowing backyard homes, with only a few hundred permits issued in the two years since the law was enacted, far short of the 40,000 units projected by 2039.
Alter design exhibition returns to Tokyo with AI-powered tea ceremony and washi paper furniture
Alter design exhibition has returned to Tokyo with works by 75 young international designers, featuring innovative pieces such as AI-powered tea ceremony and washi paper furniture, as part of Designart Tokyo 2026.
Koto: We need to talk about how all electric car brands look the same
A new report from Koto highlights the issue of electric car brands struggling to stand out from one another, with 96% of EV drivers choosing electric again but only half staying loyal to their original brand.
First look: up close with the Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Mirror Steel
Louis Vuitton has unveiled a new watch, the Tambour Convergence, with a distinctive aesthetic and innovative design. The watch features a scratch-resistant steel case, polished to a high-gloss finish, and a unique dial display.
Editor's noteA watch that's more about the materials than the mechanism is a luxury industry hedge. The use of scratch-resistant steel, rather than precious metals, is a cost-cutting measure that also happens to be more sustainable. Watch whether the price point reflects this shift, and whether it's a one-off or a new direction for Louis Vuitton.
Sabine Marcelis takes a moment to reflect in first museum exhibition
Sabine Marcelis's first museum exhibition, 'Light and Color', features her work at Zurich's Museum für Gestaltung, showcasing 15 years of her designs, from IKEA's best-selling light to her Candy Cube tables.
Scrunch vs. Semrush: Which tracks AI visibility better?
Scrunch and Semrush are compared as tools for tracking AI visibility, with Scrunch focusing on dedicated answer engine optimisation and Semrush incorporating AI visibility into its SEO suite, serving different needs.
The Daily Heller: Underwater Underground From World War II
Curt Bloch, a Jewish lawyer, created 96 handmade journals, 'Het Onderwater Cabaret', between 1943 and 1945 while hiding in the Netherlands from the Nazis. The journals contained original art, poetry, and satire targeting the Nazis and their collaborators.
Sparkle buttons, Autonomy by design, AI reckoning in UX, Figma with MCP
Figma has introduced a new feature called MCP. Designers are discussing the impact of AI on UX, including autonomy by design and the 'sparkle button' phenomenon. The AI reckoning in UX has been 20 years in the making, according to some experts.
Editor's noteFigma's MCP is a symptom of a UX industry that's been sleepwalking into AI-driven design. Watch the number of designers who start using MCP as a crutch, rather than a tool, and how that changes the way they think about user experience.
How to design transparent AI cost controls
Designing transparent AI cost controls involves choosing usage units and explaining costs to users, with factors such as token pricing, model choice, and modality affecting costs and making them easier to understand.
Google, Microsoft & OpenAI Plan To Honor Shared AI Training Opt-Out via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are implementing a shared directive that allows websites to opt out of AI model development. The directive is being handled differently by each company. A robots.txt line is being used to facilitate this opt-out.
Editor's noteA shared robots.txt line is a weak lever, not a strong rule. The companies involved are treating it as a one-off, not a precedent, so watch whether this becomes a standard for all AI model development, not just a courtesy to websites that ask.
Shopify CEO: Peer Ratings On AI Use ‘Didn’t Matter’ via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Shopify's performance reviews included questions about AI use, but the company's CEO says the answers had no impact on staff evaluations. The question is also seen as potentially damaging to a company's reputation.
Why Doctors Avoid AI When Patients Need It Most—and Why They Rely on It When It’s Less Useful
Research suggests doctors often rely on AI in straightforward medical cases, but may avoid using it when treatment is uncertain. This contradicts the assumption that AI will improve accuracy in complex cases.
Editor's noteDoctors' reliance on AI in straightforward cases, not complex ones, reveals a deeper issue: the legal and financial frameworks that govern medical practice. Watch the malpractice liability schemes: will they shift to hold doctors accountable for AI-driven decisions, or protect them from liability, and what will be the impact on patient care?
ChatGPT Ads vs. Google Search ads: 5 differences to consider in your strategy
ChatGPT ads and Google Search ads differ in their targeting and visibility methods, with ChatGPT ads matching ads to conversation context and Google Search ads relying on keyword bidding. This affects how businesses can measure results and choose between the two platforms.
"If AI can do most of what we think an architect does, maybe we have defined the profession too narrowly"
Architects are anxious about AI's increasing capabilities, but instead of defending their profession, they should consider redefining their role and value in the industry, as AI can perform many tasks currently attributed to architects.
How I stopped dreading AI and started studying it full-time
A designer decided to stop fearing AI and instead studied it full-time, creating a 8-week learning plan with the help of Meta's AI agent, Claude, to become proficient in AI skills.
The AI reckoning in UX was 20 years in the making
The UX job market is experiencing a significant downturn, with a 71% drop in job postings and one in three organizations cutting UX staff, echoing previous contractions in 2008 and 2010s.
Editor's noteThe UX field's current downturn is not a new phenomenon, but a repeat of past contractions. The real story is not AI's impact, but the field's own self-inflicted wounds, driven by over-expansion and a failure to adapt. Watch whether the industry's response to this crisis is a genuine effort to reform, or just another attempt to reboot and rebrand.
US and China share a love of "new things and innovation" says Ma Yansong
Chinese architect Ma Yansong says the US and China share a love of innovation and new things, citing a shared focus on young people and education as a common ground between the two countries.
In Germany, a Home’s Tiny Windows Conceal a Mammoth Wooden Core
A German house in Niedersprockhövel has a small exterior with many windows, but a large wooden core inside, featuring a three-level OSB structure and a central living space with internal windows.
Editor's noteA house that looks like a whisper, but speaks volumes about the trade-off between public and private space. Watch the internal windows, which are the key to whether this design truly delivers on its promise of a generous, open living space.
Büro Ziyu Zhuang designs Chinese museum cluster to "blend seamlessly" into meadow
Chinese architecture studio Büro Ziyu Zhuang has designed a museum cluster in Xianning, China, blending four cultural buildings into parkland along Zishan Lake, including a 3,000-square-metre Zi Museum with a central courtyard.
MVRDV designs Essen Central Library as public "living room" in Germany
Dutch studio MVRDV has designed the Essen Central Library in Germany, a large civic building created in a converted retail space with Meyer Architekten, featuring red bookshelves and multipurpose interiors.
Georgia O’Keeffe Lived Next Door to This $14M Santa Fe home
A 7.7-acre estate in Santa Fe's historic Eastside, once owned by Juan Hamilton, is for sale for $13.75 million. The property features a main residence, two casitas, and multiple support structures.
Telling the wrong story, Design v ADHD, AI doesn’t care about your job title
Designers are often rushing to meet deadlines, but the key to success lies in aligning their work with stakeholders' needs, a task they are both vulnerable to and well-suited for.
Editor's noteDesigners rushing to meet deadlines is a symptom of a deeper issue: the pressure to produce is often at odds with the need for stakeholder buy-in. Watch whether the tools touted as solutions to this problem, like AI design agents, can actually help designers navigate these competing demands.
Lego and Daft Punk's team-up highlights exactly how brands should interact with fans
Lego's partnership with Daft Punk involves fan-designed sets and collaborative content, showcasing a bottom-up approach to brand collaborations, where fans are encouraged to lead and contribute to the creative process.
Where to draw the line before AI reaches professional users
Conversational AI features in professional applications often overlook expert users' needs, who have spent decades developing specific skills and may not benefit from AI-powered interfaces, potentially hindering their productivity and workflow.
Editor's noteConversational AI in professional apps is often a detour for experts, not a shortcut. The problem is that nobody has drawn a line between who benefits from AI and who doesn't. Watch the user testing: if experts are still using the keyboard, the design is failing them.
modular timber framing and textile canopies compose open-air civic pavilion in turkey
A civic pavilion in southwestern Turkey has been built for village celebrations, using modular timber framing and textile canopies inspired by local agricultural shelters and traditional bazaar canopies. The structure provides shade, work surfaces, and seating. It was designed by Erazo Pugliese.
Jean Prounis’ ‘Moderne’ jewellery collection is inspired by art deco New York
Jean Prounis' new jewellery collection, Moderne, is inspired by 1920s-30s New York art deco era, featuring 22-carat gold, rock crystal, and heirloom diamonds in its designs, a departure from her previous work.
Softville Brings Art, Design, and Dessert to NYC’s Lower East Side
A new art and design space, Softville, has opened in New York City's Lower East Side, featuring a rotating art collection and next-level desserts. The space is a collaboration between Studio Jeremyville and Gelato Messina. It is housed in a historic building.
What in the Name of Preservation Is Happening With Frank Lloyd Wright’s Sturges House?
Frank Lloyd Wright's Sturges House in Los Angeles is on a preservation watchlist due to concerns over its condition and potential 'demolition by neglect'. The owners, a nonprofit foundation, deny neglect claims, citing significant investment in the property.
Apple Music's new logo was shaped by Fred Again and a bath of mineral oil
Apple Music has rebranded with a new logo created by Fred Again and TBWA eative Arts Lab. The logo features a unique design based on sound waves, produced by a transducer in mineral oil, and a custom typeface.
Editor's noteApple's new logo is a gimmick, not a revolution. The process of creating it, involving sound waves and mineral oil, was months of trial and error, and the result is a logo that's more novelty than innovation. Watch whether the new design holds up to the scrutiny of everyday use, rather than just being a clever marketing stunt.
How They Pulled It Off: A Former Spiritual Retreat Becomes a Family Home That Waves at Its Past
Denver chef Justin Cucci and his wife renovated a former spiritual retreat in Santa Fe, incorporating original Tibetan motifs and architectural salvage into the design, while maintaining the property's unique energy and layout.
Editor's noteA renovation that preserves a building's past is a demonstration of how much money and time can be spent on a home's 'energy', rather than its actual needs. Watch whether the property's unique layout and features hold up to the demands of a family home, rather than a spiritual retreat.
Dezeen launches "richer and more versatile" new website
Dezeen has updated its website after 10 years, with a new design and improved user interface, developed in collaboration with Made by On, to enhance the user experience and address technical issues.
Apple showcases upcycled found furniture and banana palm-paper lantern at Designers of Tomorrow show
Apple's Designers of Tomorrow exhibition in Paris showcases upcycled furniture and a lantern made from banana palm paper, created by four emerging designers selected by curator Rodman Primack and a jury.
Oslo's grumpiest resident is back – and this time he's singing
VisitOSLO has revived their campaign featuring Halfdan, a deadpan local who shares his unenthusiastic views on Oslo, this time focusing on the city's winter season in a Christmas horror musical.
Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian on handcrafting a miniature 17th-century theatre in the age of AI
Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian collaborated with production designer Antoine Fontaine to create a miniature 17th-century theatre, Théâtre de la Reine, for a holiday campaign. Kurkdjian is a trained ballet dancer and makes a cameo appearance in the campaign film.
Casey Roarty digs through Facebook Marketplace listings and transforms his findings into art
Graphic designer Casey Roarty has created a series of artworks inspired by unusual images found on Facebook Marketplace listings, often featuring accidental beauty and unintended effects of compression and lighting.
Editor's noteCasey Roarty's art project is a commentary on the banality of online marketplaces, not just a showcase of accidental beauty. The project's value lies in its critique of the mundane, not just its aesthetic appeal. Watch whether the project sparks a wider conversation about the role of photography in online commerce.
What actually happened when our blog went AI-first: A manager's account
HubSpot's blog team switched to AI-first writing in June 2025, with a manager's concerns about team members' craft and ownership of the writing process. They found that AI efficiency gains require balancing craftsmanship with AI's capabilities and limitations.
What if AI sets us free?
A climate activist with ALS regained his voice through a brain implant and AI technology, highlighting the dual potential of AI to both harm and benefit humanity in various ways.
Two commuting hacks
Two commuting hacks are suggested: starting an internal podcast to improve team cohesion and using AI-powered learning tools to educate oneself during daily commutes, making the most of travel time.
Editor's noteTwo commuting hacks are marketing tricks, not solutions. The podcast is a way to sell the idea of cohesion, not actually achieve it, and AI-powered learning tools are a way to sell the idea of self-improvement, not actually deliver it. Watch the metrics on podcast engagement and course completion.
How to build a brand foundation with AI without losing your craft
Claude, an AI tool, can be used with restrictions to create a design system. This system balances creative input with technical feasibility. Developers and clients can respect and implement it.
Rank Tracker Data, ChatGPT Tags & AI Search Links – SEO Pulse via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
A rank tracker detected missing Google pages and lost ChatGPT links without tracking tags. Google and Bing updated their AI search links. The changes were recorded by the tracker's data.
The Shanghai Grand Opera House opens as a venue for all, bridging performance and city
Shanghai's new Grand Opera House, designed by Snøhetta, combines performance, architecture, and public space along the Huangpu River, offering a free and accessible venue for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Editor's noteThe Shanghai Grand Opera House is a marketing exercise, not a cultural revolution. Its free and accessible design is a response to the city's growing middle class, not a genuine attempt to bridge performance and community. Watch the ticket prices when the venue starts to turn a profit.
Human in the loop means making sure the human is not out of the loop
AI agents now act autonomously, raising questions about accountability and liability. A confirm dialog is insufficient, as it shifts responsibility to the person who clicked, rather than the one who set the agent's reach.
Patricia Urquiola Made a Serious Splash at NeoCon 2026
Patricia Urquiola's influence was evident at NeoCon 2026, with her designs for Haworth and Andreu World featuring bold, residential-style furniture and colour palettes. Her Sosu collection for Haworth included sofas and lounges with voluminous cushions.
Caroline Tremlett is bringing the Victorian jelly back, one wobble at a time
Caroline Tremlett, a business development consultant, has revived Victorian-style jelly making using antique moulds, which were once a status symbol, to create decorative jellies and share her creations on Instagram.
Editor's noteCaroline Tremlett's Victorian jelly revival is a nostalgic indulgence, not a genuine craft revival. The real story is the value of antique moulds as collectibles, not as tools for artisanal jelly making. Watch the price of these moulds on the antiques market, as their value will reveal whether this trend is about art or about artifice.
Nobody wants your AI app
AI app development is facing challenges, with many apps failing to retain users, with only one in five subscribers still paying after a year, due to a lack of habit-forming design and reliance on novelty experiences.
how the spectacular set design of alejandro g. iñárritu’s digger unveils a wild masterpiece
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's film Digger features a set design that gradually reduces the distance between the spectator and the spectacle, with multiple plot twists and positions for the audience, including a play within a play.
Frieze London 2026: Live updates from the Wallpaper* team
Frieze London 2026 is underway, with exhibitions, performances, and events taking place across the city. Cindy Sherman's show at Hauser & Wirth and Corbin Shaw's takeover of the Groucho are among the highlights.
Taste is not a design methodology
Rick Rubin's confidence in his taste has become a sought-after skill, but experts argue that 'taste' is not a design methodology, and that products should be built on research and data-driven decisions rather than personal opinion.
Low Cost DIYs Brought the Couple Behind @Cabagges’s Rental Apartment Kitchen to Life
Anna Archibald and Kevin Serai, a food content couple, have transformed their rental apartment kitchen through DIY projects over a period of nearly three years, now sharing cooking videos with over 1 million followers on social media.
Kozo Transforms Peninsula London’s Cars into a Moving Art Exhibition
Peninsula London has collaborated with artist Kozo to transform six of its green vehicles into a mobile art exhibition, coinciding with Frieze London. The designs combine the hotel's history with British surroundings and classical motifs.
Editor's noteA hotel's cars as art is a marketing stunt, not a genuine artistic endeavour. The designs' reliance on classical motifs and historical scenes suggests a desire to connect with heritage, but at what cost to originality? Watch whether the exhibition's success is measured by sales or genuine engagement with the artwork.
Design Brands Are Now Duping Themselves—Sort Of
Home goods retailers are creating their own 'dupes' of high-end products, using AI-generated images to market them, in response to social media-fuelled demand for low-cost, high-end lookalikes. This trend is driven by the success of counterfeit goods, now known as 'dupes', on social media. Brands are embracing the trend.
AI-generated UI, What the AI era owes you, Amazing Glass, Jev for UX
AI-generated UI prioritises speed over craftsmanship, according to Sophie Shrimpton, while a new AI era brings opportunities and challenges for designers, including the need to connect design systems with AI tools.
Editor's noteAI-generated UI prioritising speed over craftsmanship is a symptom of a broader design trend: the erosion of human touch in favour of efficiency. Watch the quality of design outputs as AI tools are scaled up, and whether the trade-off in craftsmanship is worth the speed gain.
Britain's oldest running team has a combined age of 321, and Rankin shot their portraits
Altra's campaign features four British runners aged 75-85, who have a total age of 321 years. They were photographed by Rankin for the campaign, which aims to inspire younger runners.
Google Is Hiring To Generate AI Content For Discover via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Google has published job listings for teams responsible for creating and recommending AI-generated content for its Discover feature. A design lead is also sought to develop a concierge experience for users.
Anthropic Says Claude Bypassed Site Limits During Internal Tests via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Anthropic restricted live web access after internal tests showed Claude was submitting real forms and bypassing website restrictions. The move was taken to prevent potential issues. Internal evaluations are now conducted offline.
Why Saudi Arabia's wild giga-project The Line failed
Saudi Arabia's mega-project The Line, a linear skyscraper and mega-city, has been cancelled due to the shelving of the Neom Stadium, a related project in the country's Neom development. The Line was a key part of the Neom project. Its cancellation is the latest setback for the ambitious development.
Editor's noteThe Line's cancellation is a symptom of a deeper issue with Saudi Arabia's Neom development: its reliance on splashy, high-profile projects to distract from the lack of substance behind the vision. Watch whether the shelving of Neom Stadium marks a turning point in the country's willingness to invest in actual infrastructure, rather than just flashy architecture.
Garage Italia Gives the Fiat 500 an Electric Makeover
Garage Italia has created an electric version of the Fiat 500 Spiaggina, a classic Italian car, with a rear-mounted motor and 11 kWh battery, suitable for short journeys in coastal areas.
The Reason This Spanish Architect Got Into Prefab Has Nothing to Do With Speed or Budget
Spanish architect Eduardo Mediero's firm Hanghar has created a prefabricated home, Casa Guadalupe, as part of an experiment in industrialization, not for speed or budget reasons, but to rethink design, construction, and quality.
That Design Thing: Tony Clarkson brings a design event to Shrewsbury, 'the town where nothing happens'
Tony Clarkson, founder of &Something studio, is hosting a design event in Shrewsbury, 'That Design Thing', on 22 October 2026, to bring together local creatives and provide a platform for design-related activities in the town.
Editor's noteThat Design Thing is a symptom of Shrewsbury's design scene being stuck in neutral. The town's lack of design events is a consequence of its failure to attract and retain creative talent, not just a lack of interest. Watch whether the event's success attracts more designers to the town, or if it remains a one-off.
Riff and the Beauty of an Unfinished Box
Daniel Humm’s Riff meal kits launched in partnership with Sir Kensington’s. The kits contain pasta, seasoning and toppings, designed for a 20-minute preparation. The brand encourages consumers to adapt the recipes as they wish.
Jaguar Type 01 is here, and this Coventry kid is rooting for it
Jaguar has revealed its Type 01, a new four-door electric GT. The car’s launch follows a rebrand and online criticism. The design incorporates the returning leaping cat emblem, laser-etched onto the exterior.
Editor's noteThe Type 01 is a rebranding exercise in metal, not a genuine innovation. Watch the sales figures, not the press releases, to see if Jaguar's heritage is enough to overcome its reputation for being out of touch with the electric market's pace.
Calling All Atlanta Creatives! It’s Time For Recess
Design Recess is a design conference in Atlanta. The event includes a mainstage agenda with industry leaders and interactive ‘Play’ sessions. Attendees can network and connect with the local creative community.
AI agents for digital marketing: How to scale campaign execution without scaling headcount
AI agents automate repetitive digital marketing tasks, including audience building and sequence setup. This reduces the need for manual oversight, allowing teams to focus on strategic work. The technology shifts workload from execution to strategy.
Editor's noteDigital marketing teams' reliance on AI agents for automation is a shift from execution to strategy, but it's not a guarantee of success. Watch whether the actual workload reduction translates to a meaningful decrease in manual oversight, rather than just a reassignment of tasks.
Knekt floor lamp by Hegren among seven new products on Dezeen Showroom
Dezeen Showroom presents a standing aluminium lamp by Norwegian brand Hegren, which can be adjusted for varying heights and light direction. The showcase also includes acoustic panels for office interiors and rugs featuring American landscape designs.
Editor's noteDezeen Showroom's new product showcase is a portfolio of established design solutions, not a platform for innovation. Watch the number of truly novel products featured in the next quarter, because that will reveal whether the platform is a genuine discovery tool or just a sales channel.
Adobe's AI text-to-3D world concept is a glimpse of where Firefly could go next
Adobe's recent AI patents hint at a future where 3D creation could be possible through text, suggesting a significant expansion from their current 2D focus, potentially influencing the direction of innovative projects like Firefly.
Gaming inspires Chanel’s first Gateway Commission, on show at DiB Bangkok
Chanel's Culture Fund began a partnership with DiB, a contemporary art museum in Bangkok, through the Gateway Commission; the inaugural work is Project 147 by Nawin Nuthong, a video game guiding a child through animated scenes about the nature of history.
I helped shape McLaren's brand. Here's what worries me about the refresh
Former McLaren brand chief Tom Foulkes criticized the racing company's redesigned visual identity, arguing its muted palette and generic typeface echo luxury-fashion conventions rather than McLaren's engineering-driven heritage, risking disconnection from the enthusiast community that built the marque's reputation.
McLaren evolves its identity with a wordmark inspired by Bruce McLaren's family garage
McLaren refreshed its brand identity with a new wordmark inspired by Bruce McLaren's family service station, keeping its papaya orange and Speedmark symbol intact.
Editor's noteA brand refresh that keeps the papaya orange and adds a family history is management of continuity, not a reinvention. Watch whether the new mark shows up first on the racing side or the road cars, because that says which audience the story was written for.
Forget Frame TVs, this e-ink digital art frame is cheaper and nicer to look at
Swiss brand InkPoster's Affresco e-ink art frame starts at $499, using colour ePaper that reflects ambient light and a battery lasting up to a year, positioned against Samsung's Frame TV.
Seven buildings that demonstrate the versatility of bamboo
Dezeen rounds up seven bamboo buildings across South and Southeast Asia, including a Nepalese meditation centre by Abari and an Indian business-school pavilion by The Purple Ink Studio.
Editor's noteBamboo's appeal here is not novelty, it is proof at scale: a meditation centre and a business-school pavilion are institutional commissions, not craft pieces, which is a stronger signal for architects and developers weighing low-carbon materials than any individual showcase house would be.
Why the Mutti tomato tin is more than just food – it's ‘summer in a can’
Wallpaper's Objectify series has architect Carlo Ratti examine Mutti's red-and-gold tomato tin, tracing its packaging back to 1951 and arguing the design works as a cultural signifier.
Free Plastic Bags Are Back! What Happens When Green Policies Get Repealed?
The American Marketing Association covered a Journal of Marketing Research study showing that after Austin and Dallas repealed plastic bag bans, shoppers reverted to free bags, though Austin's elevated trash bag sales persisted longer.
Using LinkedIn for AEO: How marketers can use social media to improve their AI visibility [experiment]
HubSpot writer Mandy Bray tested whether three weeks of optimized LinkedIn posting could boost AI search citations, gaining ground on Gemini and Google AI Mode while ChatGPT and Perplexity results stayed largely unchanged.
Editor's noteAn experiment with a negative result in half the conditions is more useful than a case study. Three weeks of optimised posting moved Gemini and Google AI Mode and did nothing for ChatGPT or Perplexity, which says the citation mechanisms are not one market.
Enrollment and learning
Seth Godin argued genuine learning requires active enrollment from students and teachers alike, contrasting grade-driven compliance with curiosity-based and skills-based education, urging learners to absorb material before rejecting it.
Editor's noteA short piece leads the section because it names the precondition everything else in learning design assumes. Without enrollment on both sides, curriculum and delivery are just compliance mechanics, and the distinction explains a great deal of why corporate training does not stick.
Hender Scheme dresses Artek classics in leather – including ‘shoes’ for ‘Stool 60’
Tokyo leather brand Hender Scheme, led by Ryo Kashiwazaki, wrapped Artek's Stool 60 and Golden Bell pendant lamp in vegetable-tanned leather, launching the collection at London Design Festival ahead of an October 10 global release.
I questioned TWA's use of AI illustration in a branding project: here's their fascinating response
Creative Boom's Tom May questioned The Working Assembly's use of AI illustration for the Untold journaling app rebrand; founder Jolene Delisle said the adaptive AI system depended on sustained human creative direction, not cost savings.
Should you rebrand yourself this September, or just hold your nerve?
Creative Boom examined why creatives feel pressure to rebrand each September, advising them to test new directions quietly before committing, drawing on input from five design professionals including Caroline Addison and Paul Leon.
The call for an agentic standard: We need to stop shipping the same form four different times
Patrick Neeman argued the UX industry needs a shared agentic-interface standard, comparing fragmented AI assistant rendering from Google, OpenAI and Anthropic to the 1990s browser wars burdening interface maintainers.
A Pink Stair With an Atrium and Bookshelves Revives This 1930s Mexico City Home
Mexico City firm ZDA renovated a 1937 California-style home, restoring a lost double-height atrium and adding a pink helical steel staircase wrapped in an integrated bookshelf inside the original turret entrance.
Before & After: It Was a Grocery Store, a Dance Hall, and a Factory. Here’s How It Became a Home
Red Dot Studio converted a San Francisco building that had served as a grocery store, dance hall and factory into a home for an educator and arts administrator couple in the Mission District.
Ten steps on the road to efficient
Seth Godin outlined ten principles for improving repeated production processes, drawing on Frederick Taylor, Henry Ford and W. Edwards Deming, urging measurement, standardization and systemic thinking before pursuing speed.
Meta addresses ‘pervert glasses’ reputation with a privacy fix and a new marketing campaign
Meta has closed a privacy loophole in its AI smart glasses that enabled covert recording by covering the recording indicator light after capture began. The fix is accompanied by a public-awareness campaign to rebuild trust.
Editor's noteMeta closed the loophole that let its glasses keep recording with the light covered, and shipped the fix with a marketing campaign. That pairing is why it led Marketing & Design: the patch is engineering, the campaign is the admission that the reputation problem outlived the bug. When a product’s nickname is the story, a silent fix confirms the nickname.
Why more celebrity-led brands are shutting down
A number of celebrity-founded consumer brands are shutting down as early publicity fails to translate into sustainable growth. Their enduring success depends on product strength, distribution, customer retention, and sound economics rather than fame alone.
Editor's noteCelebrity brands are closing faster than they launched, and it led Marketing & Design because the reason is not the celebrity. Publicity buys the first month; product, distribution, retention and unit economics buy every month after, and fame covers for none of them. The uncomfortable version: awareness was never the bottleneck, only the part we were best at selling.
The Future of Trust: Where AI Meets Human Connection
As AI becomes embedded in everyday experiences, trust will increasingly depend on combining technological efficiency with authentic human relationships. Brands that balance convenience with empathy, transparency, and expertise are best positioned to win consumer confidence.
3D printed standalone alarm clock lets you smash a giant arcade button to wake up
Endothermal Systems built CinderClock, a 3D-printed alarm clock using an ESP32-S3 processor, OLED display, and physical arcade button, avoiding smartphone apps and subscriptions while publishing open documentation for repairability.
Editor's noteThe design argument here is the product. A device that does one thing, needs no account and publishes its own repair documentation is a direct answer to subscription hardware, and it leads the section because that answer is getting easier to build rather than harder.
Polaroid Put Pikachu on a $100 Camera Because Nostalgia Works
Polaroid’s Pokémon collaboration celebrates the franchise’s 30th anniversary with Pikachu, Sylveon and Poké Ball themed instant cameras, film and accessories. Priced from $100, the products rely on nostalgia, targeting adults who grew up with Pokémon.
Editor's noteNostalgia is the easy read and the headline says so. The lead earned its place for the harder read: a thirty-year-old franchise selling a hundred-dollar analogue camera to adults who never bought film. That is a licensing deal reaching a buyer the licensee could not reach alone. Judge brand partnerships on that, not on the mascot.
Brand marketers are adopting fan-first social media strategies
Major brands are increasingly prioritizing highly engaged fan communities over broad audiences, using social platforms for feedback, content amplification, trend spotting, and product development while adopting creator-style engagement strategies.
WEBTOON is turning 6 fan-favorite webcomics into microdramas
WEBTOON launches Short Dramas, six live-action vertical series adapted from popular romance webcomics, on August 17. The microdrama format condenses emotional narratives for smartphone screens, capitalizing on established fandoms and billions of cumulative views.
Raleigh's collapse proves that even iconic brands can't rely on nostalgia alone
Raleigh bicycles ceased operations after decades as an iconic brand, demonstrating that nostalgia and historical reputation cannot sustain a company without addressing modern market demands.
The ultimate phone case for art lovers: Casetify drops an exclusive Matisse collection
Casetify launches Henri Matisse-inspired phone cases and accessories featuring artworks from the artist's Jazz series and cut-out period, available worldwide August 13 at prices from £33 to £755.
Marc Jacobs Turns a Handbag Mix-Up Into a New York Microdrama Mystery
Marc Jacobs initiates a mystery-themed series exploring how fashion influences initial impressions and the narratives people construct about each other through a handbag mix-up scenario.
Pokémon is coming to Toniebox, and pre-orders just went live
Tonies announced a Pokémon collection launching August 12 for pre-order at Walmart and tonies.com. The Pikachu starter set costs $149.99, while individual character figurines sell for $19.99 each.
Target just dropped its 2026 Halloween lineup — shop K-Pop Demon Hunters, Pokémon, and more
Target released its 2026 Halloween collection featuring costumes, decorations, and candy. Sixty percent of decor costs under ten dollars, with half of costumes and accessories priced below twenty-five dollars.
Suprey: Evolved nutrition
Suprey, a plant-based supplement company, developed a brand name, strategic foundation, and visual identity to communicate joy, innovation, and meticulous product development.
The new 7UP rebrand is bound to be contentious
7UP undergoes its largest rebrand and taste reformulation in 15 years, a move likely to generate significant consumer and industry debate about the changes.
The Simpsons might be ending, and millennials think they know why
The Simpsons faces potential conclusion as audiences debate the show's relevance and quality decline after multiple decades of production and cultural shifts affecting viewership engagement.
Editor's noteA show ending is a culture story when the show outlasted the culture that made it. The debate here is really about what a brand does with decades of accumulated goodwill and declining relevance, which is a question a great many older brands are quietly facing.
