The Designamo Roundup: May Edition
The learning never stops here at Dynamo. Enjoy a few of our most recent design knowledge bits from far and wide in this month’s instalment of Designamo.
Montreal is Global Design City.
This week, the Cooper Hewitt announced it’s 2016 National Design Award winners. Among them was architect Moshe Safdie who received a lifetime achievement award. As a Montreal-based studio, we’re proud to see a leading architect receiving the highest design honour from the president of the United States. Safdie attended McGill University right here in town and designed the iconic Habitat 67. Congratulations Mr. Safdie.
Appearance is Everything.
Dysfunctional bureaucracy and impenetrable forms are two things that come to mind for most U.S. residents during tax season. What if the Internal Revenue Service rebranded in a PR move to be more transparent about how your tax dollars are spent? Bloomberg Businessweek asked 3 leading design firms to reimagine the IRS identity. Our favorite from Base is unapologetically “American” and has an almost Trump-like panache. Yup, they nailed it.
Queen 🐝 can do no wrong.
Aside from sticking it to “Becky with the good hair” and releasing Lemonade, Beyoncé also launched her athleisure line, Ivy Park. The site features some expected anti-brand branding with stark black-and-white photography and minimalist typography. The experience of Ivy Park is flawless and utterly enjoyable. Turn up you speakers and check it out!
The Lost Wallet tech space is thriving.
First there was Tile, and now designer Nicholas Bujnak created a new traceable Where’s Wallet. It comes in stylish bi-fold and slip designs, both of which are surprising affordable. The wallet connects to a slick-looking app that reports on the wallet’s location. If you’ve ever lost your wallet, this is a lifesaver.
Sometimes Analog is Simply Better.
It would take a lot to be convinced to chuck your electric toothbrush and go back to analog, but this site makes a strong case. The photography, iconography, and UI is pitch perfect. Brushing your teeth has never looked this fun.
VR is a tool for Empathy.
Most of us see VR as an immersive entertainment platform, but this week The Guardian showed us the potential VR has as an journalism and social justice vehicle with the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of 6x9: a virtual experience of solitary confinement. The film puts the views in a solitary confinement cell, and conveys just how dehumanizing and hallucinogenic this experience can be. Robert De Niro himself experienced this vital new frontier in journalism.
That’s all for May. If you have any suggestions or feedback for this article, or just want to say hello, hit us up at design@godynamo.com.
