Top web design trends

Creative Bloq has put together seven of the top web design trends that are making waves online.

From social media to interior design, trends can be fleeting or enduring, and web design also relies on this innovation and creativity, in order to catch the eye of users and consumers.

With vibrancy and clarity being key themes this year, top trends include monochromatic schemes, blocking and hovering, and contrasting with duller colours.

Read more about each trend here and tell us which ones you like.

Old Spice hacks Instagram with 'Choose Your Own Adventure' game

Do you have fond memories of 'Choose Your Own Adventure' games? Well, Old Spice has resurrected them by weaving its brand into Instagram through the use of tagging.

Traditional 'CYOA' games tended to be in book form, with readers playing an active role in deciding the plot's outcome - which often involved fantasy or science fiction elements.

Old Spice's spin on the game lets users search for tags, which lead to new Instagram accounts that one by one reveal the story, with the use of retro monsters, robots, and superheroes giving the game a retro, light-hearted feel. 

Give the game a go here and tell us if other brands should make their own.

Summer architecture exhibitions

ArchDaily has put together a great list of the best architecture and design exhibitions in Europe.

The guide, which covers events during the Summer, takes in shows from as far afield as Finland and Italy, with several taking place in the UK, including the Brutalist Playground in London, Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy of Art, and the Turner Prize Exhibition in Glasgow.

The list also includes the Milan Expo and the Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.

ArchDaily gave an insight into its choices, writing: 'Intimately linked to the space or place in which they are displayed, the best exhibitions also remind us that the practice of architecture is both a profession and a discipline; a valuable way of understanding the built, and unbuilt, world we live in'.

Take a look at the whole list here and tell us which ones you’ll be attending.

Clerkenwell Design Week: Day Three

Today is sadly the final day of the Clerkenwell Design Week, but here are our last few must-see spots for anyone still exploring the festival:

Factorylux and Prelogram – 49 Old Street

The Look Mum No Hands Café is hosting two very innovative companies in its lovely garden: Factorylux and Prelogram, which are showcasing the production of lighting and metal typesetting in action (with just a few impressed ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the audience).

London Graphic Centre – 86 Goswell Road

London Graphic Centre has had a little façade makeover for the week and offers the opportunity to take part in creative origami workshops. We happily joined in attempting to make lovely origami pieces on Proto Paper cartridge paper.

Havwoods – 2 Clerkenwell Road

Havwoods is celebrating 40 years of heritage during Clerkenwell Design Week, deciding to treat us with a specially renovated bus transformed into a chic bar. You can enjoy a drink while listening to various talks that the company is hosting.

Tomorrow, we’ll be producing a final review of the week; in the meantime, keep an eye out for our CDW pictures @thinktanklondon.

Clerkenwell Design Week: Day Two

We spotted some great locations on the second day of Clerkenwell Design Week, here are the highlights of today:

Icon’s House of Culture – St John’s Square

Icon’s House of Culture is the second major hub of this event thanks to the variety of brands that it displays but also to its wonderful location – the Old Sessions House.

Top European brands - such as Gubi which occupies the first floor - are scattered around this imposing structure, allowing you to discover a unique walk-through installation.
You can also sit down, grab a coffee and listen to designers talking on various subjects.

Ideapaint: the big idea – 45 Great Sutton Street

IdeaPaint and MIX magazine collaborated for Clerkenwell Design Week in order to find a new logo for the magazine. We happily joined in and contributed to the scheme by creating our own version of the MIX logo on the IdeaPaint board.

Additions – St John’s square

Additions takes you to the heart of St John’s church by exhibiting a wide-range of talented brands in its crypt. From patterned ceramics to hand-printed textiles, you will find something that matches your tastes.

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Today was the start of the sixth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week, which hosts the most innovative products, designers and brands around.
Here are some locations that caught our eye along the showcase trail:

Design Factory – The Farmiloe Building

The Design Factory represents the central hub of Clerkenwell Design Week.

This year, it features the headline sponsor, Renault, and its brand new Kadjar car in the main atrium, hosted below an astonishing lighting installation.

As we enter the Design Factory, the first two floors showcase a range of stunning furniture brands, from simple pieces to clever concepts.

One highlight is a colourful paper mobile with inspirational phrases by the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA).

The third floor of the Victorian building is dedicated to the Lighting Factory. A variety of lighting brands is displayed in the spacious area, from tree lights by Di Classe to sleek and sophisticated Anglepoise lamps, demonstrating the

breadth of creativity in the industry.

Glaze – St. John’s Square

Created by Ben and Jelena Cousins, this Murano glass-inspired pavilion is a true work of art.

Visitors are encouraged to walk through the steel-framed structure to discover the wonderful colours and the various perspectives Glaze offers.

The Invisible Store of Happiness - St. John’s Gate

This massive intricate wooden structure, explores the versatility of two major hardwoods: American Maple and American Cherry.

Creators Sebastian Cox and Laura Bacon wanted to push the material to its limits with this experiment.

We’ll be back at Clerkenwell Design Week tomorrow; let us know what you’ve seen so far.

Clerkenwell Design Week: Preview

One of the most hotly anticipated design festivals in London opens tomorrow and The Think Tank will be exploring it first-hand.

Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is now in its sixth year, well established in the national (if not international) design calendar.

From funky installations and product showcases to one-off presentations and networking events, CDW offers a true smorgasbord of treats to anyone interested in the creative industries.

CDW is worth an explore if you’re in the area (you can register here); if not, follow our blog and the official hashtag #CDW2015.

Let us know what you’re looking forward to during Clerkenwell Design Week.

Global e-commerce Calendar 2015

Asendia has launched an interactive e-commerce calendar for 2015.

This global provider of mail and parcel solutions has decided to make our lives a bit easier when it comes to regional-based marketing programs.

Created with their partner eShopWorld, they have shared a calendar with dates and information about six global markets.

You can now learn more about national, religious and cultural events in various countries and plan your global marketing activities accordingly.

Try the calendar here and tell us if you find it useful.