News: rebuilding the World Trade Center site has revitalised the architectural scene in New York according to architect Craig Dykers of Snøhetta, who designed a recently opened pavilion on the memorial site (+ interview). More about Snøhetta architect says 9/11 attacks led to "a reawakening of architecture in New York"
Battery-farmed chickens could be tricked into thinking they are roaming free if dressed in virtual reality headsets designed as a tongue-in-cheek proposal by US company Second Livestock (+ interview). More about Virtual reality headsets create "pastoral" illusion for battery-farmed chickens
News: the creation of the first 3D-printed gun has upturned the notion of design as a force for good, according to Paola Antonelli, senior curator of design at New York's Museum of Modern Art (+ interview). More about "Not all design is for the general good," says MoMA's Paola Antonelli
News: data collected via Google Glass could soon be used to deliver advertising tailored to the wearer's taste, mood, and location, according to Tony Gaitatzis, a leading figure in the wearable technology sector. More about Brain-scanning devices will revolutionise advertising, says wearable tech chief
Designer Ivor Williams has created a clock that displays your heartbeat instead of the time (+ interview + movie). More about Uji wall clock moves its hands in time with your heartbeat
News: a new generation of 3D printing pens will "improve the creativity of everybody" and "give the world a new way to communicate," according to the designer of the Lix pen, which launched on Kickstarter this week and has already raised over £400,000 (+ interview). More about 3D drawing will "give the world a new way to communicate"
Kickstarter has changed the way designers get their products to market and shifted the balance of power between individuals and corporations, according to the crowdfunding website's co-founder and CEO Yancey Strickler (+ interview). More about Kickstarter means that "big brands are at a disadvantage"
News: Yves Behar of San Francisco design studio fuseproject has created a new identity for PayPal as part of the brand's shift towards providing payment solutions on mobile and wearable devices (+ interview). More about Fuseproject creates mobile-friendly brand identity for PayPal
Milan 2014: Dutch designer Maarten Baas' created an indoor fairground earlier this month as a critique of Milan's design week, which he likens to a circus where products are "nothing more than a snapshot to share on Facebook" (+ slideshow + interview). More about Maarten Baas's surreal solo show created to "emphasise the circus that Milan is"
Milan 2014: a product designed by Dutch designer Pepe Heykoop to be made in an Indian slum has been a runaway success, creating employment for 80 families within a year of launch (+ movie + interview). More about "These products don't look like they've been made by people living on the street" - Pepe Heykoop
Milan 2014: Japanese architect Toyo Ito spoke to Dezeen about his design for textile brand Kinnasand's first Milan showroom and his "site specific" architecture (+ interview + slideshow). More about Glass, timber and stone showroom created by Toyo Ito for Kinnasand's "sensitive fabric"
Milan 2014: Anglo-Indian design duo Doshi Levien has created a lounge chair for B&B Italia based on memories of a trip to the Himalaya mountains in India (+ interview). More about Doshi Levien's Almora lounge chair for B&B Italia feels like being "wrapped in a soft, warm blanket"
Berlin-based product designer Mark Braun has created his first watch, with the Metro for fine watchmakers Nomos Glashütte (+ interview). More about Mark Braun celebrates "craft of making" with Metro watch for Nomos Glashütte
News: young architects are becoming disillusioned with commercial work and instead turning to humanitarian projects, according to 2014 Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban (+ interview). More about Architectural culture is "moving in two directions" says Shigeru Ban
News: architect Daniel Libeskind has hit back at his critics, comparing his own work to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and saying that he doesn't try to be liked, at the launch of an exhibition in Milan this week. More about Ignore the critics – Beethoven was "a failure" in their eyes too, says Daniel Libeskind
News: analysing trends and listening to what consumers want will ultimately result in bad design, says Spanish designer Jaime Hayón. More about "If I listen to the market, I'll be designing crap" says Jaime Hayón
News: the proliferation of computer renderings and prototypes on sites like Dezeen is making real products "look extremely boring," according to Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. More about "Virtual design" is making life difficult for furniture companies says Marcel Wanders
News: the fashion world "laughs at" industrial designers while Google Glass makes the wearer look like "a bit of an idiot", according to designer Marc Newson (+ interview). More about The design industry is "really pathetic" says Marc Newson
A tactile watch designed for blind people by a group of students has gone into production after strong demand from sighted consumers (+ interview). More about The Bradley timepiece for blind people proves inclusive design has wide appeal
News: musician Imogen Heap is to put an experimental electronic glove into production, creating a tool that will allow anyone to interact with their computer remotely via hand gestures. Update: this interview is featured in Dezeen Book of Interviews, which is on sale now for £12 (+ interview + movie). More about Imogen Heap launches funding drive for gloves that turn gestures into music