With its latest budget announcement, the UK government has failed to recognise the importance of the design industry to the country's economy, according to the Design Council and the Creative Industries Federation. More about UK government undermines design with "disappointing" budget, say industry organisations
To tackle "death anxiety" among terminally ill hospital patients, designer Frank Kolkman has created a device that simulates a near-death experience using virtual reality. More about Frank Kolkman creates death simulation machine using virtual reality
Austrian product designer Klemens Schillinger has created a lamp that only lights up once the user is willing to surrender their smartphone. More about Klemens Schillinger's Offline lamp illuminates in exchange for a smartphone
Dezeen promotion: flooring company Shaw Contract looked to the patterns and textures found in natural landscapes when creating its latest range of carpet tiles. More about Remote landscapes inform textural floor-tile collection by Shaw Contract
Dezeen promotion: BMW has unveiled its design for a six-seater SUV, as part of an expanded range of cars that promise customers a more luxurious experience. More about BMW unveils spacious X7 concept car as part of expanded luxury vehicle range
Arnhem-based designer Richard Vijgen has created a colour-changing tapestry from thermochromic yarn that visualises Wi-Fi signals emitted by smart devices. More about Thermochromic tapestry changes colour in response to Wi-Fi signals
French brand Modern Man has created a retro T-shirt that presents fashion designer Virgil Abloh as a "world builder", alongside influential architects Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas. More about Virgil Abloh, Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas feature on retro-style T-shirt
Designers have the power to solve the world's problems, but it may mean creating more systems and less stuff, says Dutch designer and environmentalist Babette Porcelijn. More about We need designers, not scientists, to show us how to change the world, says Babette Porcelijn
The products that designers help create are the biggest contributors to climate change, according to research presented at our Good Design for a Bad World talks at Dutch Design Week last month. More about Mobile phones and other industrial products have "the number one impact" on climate change
Lee Broom has collaborated with glassware brand Nude to create a 10-metre-tall Christmas tree made of 245 individual hand-blown glass pendant lights inside The Shard in London. More about Lee Broom creates Christmas tree from 245 pendant lights inside The Shard
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Alice Bleton has designed a rooftop capsule to give city-dwellers a temporary retreat from their congested environment. More about Alice Bleton's bunker-like capsule offers an escape from busy city life
Dezeen is giving away five sets of rechargeable bike lights and magnetic reflectors that clip onto clothing, which are all designed by Swedish bicycle accessory brand Bookman. More about Competition: win a set of Bookman bicycle lights and magnetic reflectors
Tunisian-born fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, who was known for his figure-fitting dresses, has died at the age of 77. More about Fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa dies age 77
A group of 10 designers from the Netherlands has teamed up with manufacturer Low & Bonar to create a set of products made from its non-woven Colback textile. More about Dutch designers showcase furniture and products made from unusual textile
Dezeen promotion: Dutch designer Egbert-Jan Lam has created a range of translucent wooden light shades for Spanish brand LZF, which are sewn together like items of clothing. More about LZF designs pendant light shades that are stitched like textiles
One hundred and forty four small white drawers make up this cylindrical cabinet by Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc. More about Nika Zupanc designs a tower of drawers for storing keepsakes
Toronto designer Paolo Ferrari has crafted a series of furniture pieces, including a velvet sofa with large rolled cushions and a perforated pale wood cabinet, all made in Canada. More about Paolo Ferrari uses rolled velvet cushions and bleached wood for Editions furniture collection
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Fujita Keisuke has made an installation that uses real-time tweets from people expressing suicidal thoughts to activate a motor-powered needle that scratches away at a monolithic block of carbon. More about Fujita Keisuke uses suicide tweets to explore the effects of digital communication
Belgian designer Alain Gilles looked to the world of cycling when designing this lounge chair, which incorporates a tubular metal frame and customisable elements. More about Alain Gilles creates lounge chair that references vintage bicycles
Fashion brand Charlotte Olympia has launched a pair of high-heeled shoes and a clutch bag, which were designed in collaboration with the late architect Zaha Hadid. More about Charlotte Olympia launches fashion accessories designed in collaboration with Zaha Hadid