Designers should "seize the moment" to make positive change says Design Justice author Sasha Costanza-Chock
The coronavirus crisis offers a "great possibility" for community-led change, says MIT associate professor Sasha Costanza-Chock, whose new book Design Justice explores how design can help marginalised communities and promote equality. More about Designers should "seize the moment" to make positive change says Design Justice author Sasha Costanza-Chock
RCA students develop SaltyCo sustainable fabrics using seawater plants
Students from the Royal College of Art have made fabrics from plants grown in seawater, providing a potential solution for the currently freshwater-intensive fashion and textile industries. More about RCA students develop SaltyCo sustainable fabrics using seawater plants
Seven customisable skincare brands harnessing artificial intelligence
Bespoke, smart and made-to-order is the new face of the skincare industry, where product designers are applying artificial intelligence and machine learning. Rima Sabina Aouf spotlights seven brands demonstrating this. More about Seven customisable skincare brands harnessing artificial intelligence
MIT develops low-cost smart diaper that notifies parents when wet
Researchers at MIT have invented a low-cost moisture sensor for disposable nappies that uses radio frequencies to alert caregivers when babies need changing. More about MIT develops low-cost smart diaper that notifies parents when wet
Paola Navone's Rafael outdoor collection is inspired by organic shapes and exotic destinations
Uneven slats and giant staples feature in the Rafael outdoor furniture collection, created by Italian designer Paola Navone for Italian brand Ethimo. More about Paola Navone's Rafael outdoor collection is inspired by organic shapes and exotic destinations
Sweet Sneak Studio's photo series puts focus on microplastics in the food chain
Sushi wrapped in shopping bags and beer frothing with styrofoam bubbles are among the unappetising images in Sweet Sneak Studio's Microplastic Photo Series that explore the impacts of plastic pollution. More about Sweet Sneak Studio's photo series puts focus on microplastics in the food chain
Layer designs Bang & Olufsen speaker that "visually describes how the audio functions"
Benjamin Hubert and his studio Layer have designed Bang & Olufsen's sculptural Beosound Balance speaker, which has a two-part structure made from wood and textile. More about Layer designs Bang & Olufsen speaker that "visually describes how the audio functions"
Kenoteq launches brick made almost entirely of construction waste
Scottish startup Kenoteq has launched the K-Briq – a more sustainable building brick that is unfired and made of 90 per cent construction waste. More about Kenoteq launches brick made almost entirely of construction waste
MUT Design blurs line between indoors and outdoors with Das Haus furniture
Multiple European brands came together for MUT Design's Das Haus installation at IMM Cologne to create hybrid indoor-outdoor furniture prototypes that are now being put into production. More about MUT Design blurs line between indoors and outdoors with Das Haus furniture
Barber Osgerby creates packaging design for "adult cordial"
Design studio Barber Osgerby has created the packaging for Jukes Cordialities, a non-alcoholic drink invented by their friend, the wine writer Matthew Jukes. More about Barber Osgerby creates packaging design for "adult cordial"
Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator launches to tackle industry emissions
Companies from across the architecture, engineering and construction industries have collaborated to create a free digital embodied carbon calculator that they hope will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and counter climate change. More about Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator launches to tackle industry emissions
Generate and Placetailor to build carbon-neutral CLT apartment block in Boston
Architecture studio Generate and developer Placetailor have unveiled plans to build a carbon-neutral apartment block in Boston using a cross-laminated timber "kit of parts". More about Generate and Placetailor to build carbon-neutral CLT apartment block in Boston
Sidewalk Labs tests possibilities for timber construction with 35-storey Proto-Model
Sidewalk Labs, the architecture and urbanism arm of Google parent company Alphabet, has unveiled a digital model for what would be the world's tallest mass-timber building, reaching 35 storeys. More about Sidewalk Labs tests possibilities for timber construction with 35-storey Proto-Model
Studio Drift creates dramatic shifting Ego sculpture for Dutch opera L'Orfeo
Studio Drift has created Ego, a kinetic sculpture made of 10 miles of ultra-fine nylon, for the Dutch National Touring Opera's production of L'Orfeo. More about Studio Drift creates dramatic shifting Ego sculpture for Dutch opera L'Orfeo
ALT uses aerospace-inspired packaging for its "mind-expanding" liquid cannabis
Science, aeronautics and NASA inspired the Very Polite Agency's packaging design for ALT, a liquid cannabis product for people who want a mind-expanding rather than purely medicinal high. More about ALT uses aerospace-inspired packaging for its "mind-expanding" liquid cannabis
Infinity retrospective exhibition celebrates West African design talent Kossi Aguessy
Contemporary art centre the Palais de Lomé has opened in Togo with a retrospective of one of its nation's creative stars, the industrial designer Kossi Aguessy, who died in 2017 at just 40 years of age. More about Infinity retrospective exhibition celebrates West African design talent Kossi Aguessy
MIT nanotube technique suggests greener way to make aeroplane parts
MIT engineers have found a new way to create aerospace-grade carbon-fibre composites using only one per cent of the energy of current methods, and none of the ovens and autoclaves. More about MIT nanotube technique suggests greener way to make aeroplane parts
Refined Airlander 10 design set to go into production
Hydbrid Air Vehicles has revealed the production-ready design of its Airlander 10 — and said the aircraft once fondly known as "the Flying Bum" might go electric in the near future. More about Refined Airlander 10 design set to go into production
APL plays with proportions in "dramatic but serene" LA flagship store
Sneaker brand APL has opened its first store — a dramatically narrow, runway-like space in Los Angeles with an interior designed by architect Bernard Dubois. More about APL plays with proportions in "dramatic but serene" LA flagship store
BCXSY's Reciprocal Syntax installation explores the nature of collaboration via a seesaw
Design studio BCXSY used a seesaw as a metaphor for the creative process in their installation Reciprocal Syntax, which allows two riders to together build an audiovisual landscape through play. More about BCXSY's Reciprocal Syntax installation explores the nature of collaboration via a seesaw