Man Vs. Nature: A Battle between Architecture and Hurricane Irma
In this post, The Design Bloc discusses how Architecture, Design, and Hurricane Irma all relate. As the storm quickly approaches South Flori


The Origin of the 80's Aesthetic
Did you know that 80's aesthetic actually came from a group of designers? Take a look at this 6 min video by Vox to find out more! #blog #TheDesignBloc #1980s #80s #productdesign #design #graphicdesign #architects


14 Things Every Designer Should Do in 2015
Welcome to 2015! Here's a little motivation to help make this year even better than last year. Read, share, be inspired! 1. Draw More. A drawing a day keeps the doctor away. Studies have shown that drawing is a form of active meditation---which can help lower blood pressure, anxiety, and stress! So grab a pen or pencil the next time you're talking on the phone or you have time to kill a little. You'll be doing more good than you think! 2. Be Patient Things don't just happen o


The DesignBloc Feature // PLAY: The Documentary
PLAY: The Documentary play (plā/) verb : engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. All work and no play, is just no fun! People from all over the world are working themselves too hard, and leaving no time to enjoy the little moments in life. However, our friends at The Urban Conga are making a difference to change that. The Urban Conga, is a non-profit community that activates social interaction through the act of "PLAY." Thei


Unleash the Designs!
That's right kids... The designs for the Guggenheim Helsinki project have been revealed! Stage One involved submissions from 77 countries. Each submission is presented on the Guggenheim Helsinki Design Competition online gallery and allowed just two images and a brief concept summary provided by each competitor. However, don't expect to vote just for your favorite design big wigs. Each design is only listed by its registration number. Bit brief, yes, but the competitors were


The Situation Room
What happens when you combine the minds of Marc Fornes and Jana Winderen? You get The Situation Room. But do not fear, this has nothing to do with Jersey Shore. A commission by the Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York City, a self-supporting, bright pink structure is born. The form was designed by Fornes and Winderen engineered the sounds making one question their surroundings and built environment. The design is testing what it is one knows about sound and the bui


Not your Grandfather’s Great Outdoors Experience
Import.Export Architecture is updating our ideas of what we consider “roughing it” in the great outdoors. They want to look up, way up. Their creation is a 5-story platform that completely changes the camping experience. Each platform can be reached with an attached ladder and the alternating design of the levels allows people to be able to interact with those on other levels. The idea was to create a design that would allow the benefit of a cheap camping option while still b


Coit’s Restoration
San Francisco’s Coit Tower recently finished the $1.7 million restoration and has re-opened its doors after 6 months. The main focus of the restoration was the repair of the tower’s 25 water-damaged fresco murals. If you aren’t familiar with this icon in San Francisco atop of Telegraph Hill, it was designed by architects Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard. It was named for San Francisco socialite Lillie Hitchcock Coit who wanted to the tower to be a memorial to the city’s fire


The NOMA Convention is Near! Lecture Highlight: "Design & Technology - MoBE" - October 4th
*Update: The date of thie event has changed to October 4th (October 3rd was reported in the post last week) The NOMA {National Organization of Minority Architects} annual convention is in Philadelphia this year, and there will be lots to do and see. One event we would like to highlight is a presentation by Architect, Pascale Sablan, AIA, NOMA, LEED of FXFOWLE in New York. The lecture hosted Sablan titled, Design & Technology, will focus on the design process and technologies


*Update* Equilibrium: The App That Keeps You Balanced
Earlier this month The DesignBloc showcased "Equilibrium", a new app idea designed to promote balance in our daily lives, made by architects, graphic designers, and product designers. "By tracking activities in your area that improve mind, body, and spirit, Equilibrium gives you a more complete picture of wellness." says Equilibrium developers. The first week of August, we reported that the developers of Equilibrium were in a type of Kickstarter competition called BigApps Pro