Design Articles

Design Articles featuring great design, architecture, fashion, graphics and innovation from across the globe.

 
LastSwab Reusable Swab

Nicolas Aagaard Reusable Swab Sustainable Product Sunday, 27 September 2026

LastSwab

LastSwab is a reusable swab created as an alternative to single-use cotton swabs. LastSwab can be used up to a thousand times and is easy to use and easy to clean. The shape is designed to feel like a familiar cotton swab. Two versions are made: a Basic version for general use and a Beauty version with an angled tip for correcting make-up. Both versions come in a carrying case made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, which is also used for the rod. The tip is made of thermoplastic elastomer and does not absorb water.

Continue reading about LastSwab Reusable Swab

 
Floating House Residential Architecture

Oliver Schütte Residential Architecture Sustainable Product Saturday, 26 September 2026

Floating House

The Floating House is a three-level home located in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The building measures about 400 square meters and is placed on a sloping hillside site. Passive design strategies guide the project, including site-specific positioning and the use of natural resources. Industrial and prefabricated building techniques are combined with locally harvested and regenerative materials. Large roof overhangs protect the spaces below from rain and solar radiation. Solar energy is collected on the roof. Terraced gardens and balconies face the surrounding landscape.

Continue reading about Floating House Residential Architecture

 
Cunda Despot House Hotel

Isil Gencoglu Tasar Hotel Cultural Heritage Friday, 25 September 2026

Cunda Despot House

Cunda Despot House is a restored historical building in Ayvalik, Turkey, brought back into use as a hotel. The main building and its cistern were repaired with respect for the original materials and construction techniques. Later additions were removed, and old paint and plaster were cleaned. Wooden floors, doors, windows and the staircase were rebuilt in accordance with the originals, and the foundation and structural system were reinforced. The main building holds twenty rooms, while a restaurant, a spa and pools support the hotel function.

Continue reading about Cunda Despot House Hotel

 
Traveling in Virtual Space Textbook

Mirae-N Design Team Textbook Education Thursday, 24 September 2026

Traveling in Virtual Space

Traveling in Virtual Space is a cover design for elementary school textbooks. The illustration extends from the front cover to the back cover to suggest one continuous space. Students can scan the cover with a mobile application to start an augmented reality mode, in which the illustrated space responds to touch and adds sound. The covers are produced with finishing methods such as color foil and silk epoxy to create a three-dimensional feel. The design uses travel stories and familiar characters to raise curiosity and to support experience-based learning.

Continue reading about Traveling in Virtual Space Textbook

 
Black House Residential

Oliver Schütte Residential Sustainable Product Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Black House

The Black House forms part of the modular No Footprint House series. The climate responsive designs of the project are based on passive strategies such as site specific positioning and the use of natural resources for cross ventilation, solar shading and energy production, as well as rainwater harvesting and biological water filtration. Industrial construction techniques create a high level of efficiency that can be delivered to any target location, combined with locally harvested and renewable materials to promote integral sustainability and regenerative development for the built environment.

Continue reading about Black House Residential

 
Jinaga Subway Pass

Junsoo Choi Subway Pass Social Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Jinaga

Jinaga is a contactless subway pass system created for passengers with disabilities and for elderly passengers. The system consists of a small key fob, worn as a necklace, and a module attached to the ticket gate. The gate opens automatically when a passenger carrying the key fob passes through, so card tagging is not needed. Recognition uses low frequency and radio frequency signals, in the manner of a car smart key, which limits reading errors. The attachable module upgrades a regular ticket gate to a smart pass gate, and passenger information is sent to the station office.

Continue reading about Jinaga Subway Pass

 
Design Brand of the Day

Design Brand of the DaySpecial CoverageSunday, 20 September 2026

World-Class Design-Driven Brands.

Great brands are built on great design. Everyday, we feature a distinguished design-driven brand and explore its identity, creative vision, products and corporate projects. Discover award-winning brands that use good design to create value, inspire people and stand apart worldwide. Visit us daily to enjoy the distinctive approaches of the World’s most innovative brands.

Continue reading · Browse the registry