In a world where influencers rule the day on social media. Two of the biggest influencers in architecture and design have joined forces to outsource the content. They recently did a call for contributors to be one of the founding members to be featured during Milan Design Week. One of the caveats, you actually have to be going to cool stuff and are willing to post it for this channel. Continue reading “Dezeen and Instagram team up for @design”
Category: Product Design
Salone del Mobile – The Manifesto
As another Salone del Mobile approaches, one interesting development is to see how exhibitors and the rest of the industry will respond to a new manifesto that was published ahead of the event. The manifesto calls upon the industry to up its innovation and sustainability, citing specifically the need to embrace the “circular economy” and forge meaningful relationships with cultural institutions in the city. Continue reading “Salone del Mobile – The Manifesto”
The Maker’s Bill of Rights
Published by Make: in 2005, the Makers Bill of Rights articulates a list of 17 commandments that manufacturers should follow to make their products repairable and hackable. This manifesto is for those who want the freedom to tinker with, remake, repair, recombine, and upgrade the things they own. By advocating for an open, and resilient product system means disrupting the current model, creating a new context for a more evolutionary, collaborative, and dynamic product system that will help us better fit into earth’s ecosystems.
Bachelor of Branding Charrette

The Institute without Boundaries is known for their charrette process. A quick, dirty and effective way of producing many ideas and then editing it all down to the best possible outcomes.
This charrette was to help the faculty and staff develop a new curriculum for a new bachelor degree. As they are in the preliminary phases of research and development, this was an opportunity to receive input from faculty, industry and students to help shape the new program.
New Double Deck Go Buses
These buses were made for me…well for those travelling to-and-from the Hamilton GO station. When I first saw them on the road, I was excited because it meant that I could get a new perspective on my daily commutes. Here are some quick facts about the new buses:
- lower floors, and a longer, more gradual ramp for easier boarding and exiting
- two wider mobility device areas to provide improved maneuverability
- eight electrical outlets for customer use (four on each level) with two in the wheeled mobility device area
- automated next-stop announcements and visual displays for consistent and timely information (available on all GO Buses)
- more space to store luggage
- reclining seats on the lower floor
- tinted windows for increased UV protection and temperature control
- We’re adding 38 of these buses to our fleet by the end of 2016, and will have a total of 253 by 2020.
The Price of Luxury
I buy luxury brands for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I want people to know that I can afford fashionable brands. Secondly, I believe in buying high-end quality items. Thirdly, I love the beautiful packaging it comes in.
History of Wedding Favours
I recently went to a wedding this weekend. I don’t understand why people get married in the winter, it’s so cold that it doesn’t matter what you are wearing because you are going to be wearing your heavy coat regardless.
Anyways, when we got to our table and there were so many things on the surface to discovery. There were centrepieces, our name tags, candy and of course our wedding favours. This made me think, what is the significance of a wedding favour? Continue reading “History of Wedding Favours”
Suncayr wins again!
This year’s Skyrocket Brand Prize was a close call. Each company had something unique and useful they wanted to bring to the world to make our lives better. Whether it is a platform for growing your own food, eradicating homelessness, protecting yourself from skin cancer, promoting active lifestyle or choosing the right education. But Waterloo-based startup Suncayr beat out the competition with their passion for social impact. Continue reading “Suncayr wins again!”
Brian Pullen – Path to a Product
Brian Pullen is a designer and entrepreneur living and working in Toronto, Canada. He has been a creative director of more than 200 digital projects, ranging from websites to apps and games. In his Keynote presentation, Brian discusses “The Path to a Product – Building startups & making things,” bringing his experience in processes,business models, design philosophies, management structures and digital strategy to the talk. As a design and product advisor to more than 50 startups, and to a number of accelerator programs across North America his insight and knowledge in developing emerging startups and entrepreneurs is very inspiring.
More reading about startups:
You Have to Have Something Else – A Conversation with Brian Pullen here
TeaBOT debuts at Nuit Blanche
The winner of Digifest’s 2015 IT’S A START Pitch Competition, TeaBot, debuted it’s custom tea dispenser at MaRs Discovery District during Nuit Blanche last week. All night long it served custom cups of tea to the crowds of people looking for something hot on the chilly night.
2016 IT’S A START Pitch Competition is now open. Apply online today.