Mathieu Lehanneur's designs have played a starring role at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In this interview, the French designer explains why his "flying" Olympic cauldron may become a permanent Parisian landmark. More about Mathieu Lehanneur's Olympic designs reference the "fragility of life"
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur created the electric Olympic cauldron for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to resemble a hot-air balloon and be "a beacon in the night and a sun within reach". More about Mathieu Lehanneur "flying cauldron" lit for Paris 2024 Olympics
In this week's comments update, readers are debating an inflatable puffer jacket and sharing their views on other top stories. More about Commenter says helium-filled jacket is "just a balloon"
Italian designer Andrew Kostman has created a metallic inflatable puffer jacket that is filled with helium instead of down and can be carried around like a balloon. More about Helium-10000 is an inflatable puffer coat that floats like a balloon
Google's sister company Loon is deploying a fleet of 35 solar-powered balloons that will provide internet service across more remote areas of Kenya by floating on stratospheric winds. More about Loon launches floating balloon-powered internet service in Kenya
Transport design studio PriestmanGoode has developed a concept for a high-performance balloon and pressurised capsule for Space Perspective to take space tourists on a "cruise" around the stratosphere. More about PriestmanGoode's Neptune balloon will fly passengers to the edge of space
American artist Doug Aitken has created a mirrored hot air balloon to travel across rural landscapes of Massachusetts this summer. More about Doug Aitken's mirrored balloon New Horizon flies over Massachusetts
This captioned movie shows catwalk footage of Central Saint Martins graduate Fredrik Tjærandsen's colourful bubble outfits, which have become a viral sensation around the world. More about Watch footage of Fredrik Tjærandsen's balloon fashion that went viral
Central Saint Martins fashion student Fredrik Tjærandsen has presented giant balloons that deflate to form dresses on the catwalk. More about CSM graduate Fredrik Tjærandsen envelops models in rubber balloons
A plump red love heart sits snug in between the pillars of Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner in London, as part of a returning Valentine's Day installation by designer Anya Hindmarch. More about Anya Hindmarch sends "a love letter to London" with Chubby Hearts installation
Sausage-shaped party balloons are used to secure the self-assembly furniture and toys designed by Kingston University graduate Fern Toynton. More about Balloons replace nails and screws for Inflate collection of children's furniture
Swedish designer Clara von Zweigbergk has created colourful lamps reminiscent of hot air balloons for Danish lighting brand Louis Poulsen. More about Clara von Zweigbergk's colourful lamps recall hot air balloons and carousels
Huge fabric balloons invade concrete buildings and barren landscapes in this series of images by French artist Charles Pétillon. More about Charles Pétillon's photographs combine giant balloons and concrete architecture
Designer Mary Katrantzou's London Fashion Week show took place on a foil-covered catwalk in front of a wall of silvery balloons, created by Paris studio Bureau Betak at Central Saint Martins arts college. More about Bureau Betak uses silver balloons as backdrop for Mary Katrantzou's "prom night" fashion show
Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno has created a pair of air-filled globes that he eventually plans to sail across the sky. More about Tomás Saraceno installs Aerocene metallic orbs in Paris' Grand Palais
South Korean designer Seung Jin Yang has coated brightly coloured balloons in resin to create these inflated seats. More about Seung Jin Yang's Blowing chairs are made from party balloons
American designer Ken Tanabe has used a range of unusual materials including balloons, videotapes and CDs to form alternative Halloween costumes. More about Ken Tanabe creates Halloween costumes from helium balloons and old CDs
Since an installation comprising 100,000 balloons at London's Covent Garden has been so popular, we've created a new Pinterest board filled with designs that incorporate inflatables – or at least look like they do – including Marcel Wanders' ultra-lightweight chair and a cloud-like transport solution.
Follow Dezeen on Pinterest | See more balloon-related design
More about Explore images of balloon-related design on our new Pinterest board
Our most visited story last week was about an installation of 100,000 white balloons at Covent Garden in London. Stories about the child-friendly inflatables are always popular on Dezeen so we've assembled our all-time top ten balloon posts, including a bridge, an airship and a levitating bench. More about Dezeen's ten most popular stories about design with balloons
French artist Charles Pétillon has installed a giant cloud of balloons under the roof of the 19th-century Market Building in London's Covent Garden (+ movie). More about Charles Pétillon fills Covent Garden market with 100,000 white balloons