An Iceberg Tissue Box
Having a tissue box in your house is an essential, but have you ever seen a tissue box quite like this one? Designed by Japanese artist Michuru, this tissue box has been made to look like a floating iceberg, and there's no doubt about the fact that it's extremely effective. There's even a polar bear and some blue Arctic water thrown in there for good measure, and the whole design is genius.
You just don't want to use too many tissues from this thing, though. Take too many tissues, and you'll watch the iceberg disappear before your very eyes as a nod to climate change.
Huts Made From Old Boats
We live in a world where more and more designers are looking to reuse and repurpose their designs, and this can also be seen in the world of architecture. Sure, architects could build their creations with new construction materials - but why would they do that when there are so many other things out there that can offer something so much better? That must be why this architect chose to repurpose old boats to make these huts.
This whole picture is absolutely stunning, but it's the shape and the aesthetic of these huts that really make them stand out from the crowd. You wouldn't get that look with bricks and mortar.
An Art Nouveau Door
Nowadays, many people live in cookie-cutter houses with cookie-cutter design choices. And while there's nothing wrong with that, there's no denying the fact that certain designs can really stand out from the crowd. Take this Art Nouveau door in Brussels, for example. The designer behind this door obviously wanted this front door to be a focal point of the house, and it's safe to say that they succeeded in their plan.
From the circular shapes to the stained glass design, everything about this door is stunning in every way. And most people would probably buy this house just for the door alone!
The Mythical Stone House
There are so many different types of architecture. Some designers like to go bold with their creations, while others prefer a subtler approach. We're going to assume that the architect behind this house is a fan of the latter option, as you may not have noticed what made this house special until you had a proper look at it. After all, the longer you look, the more of the mythical beings come to life.
From a fiery dragon to a beautiful rose and an old wizard, we're not sure how this architect managed to incorporate these stone beings into the house, but we're very impressed.
Lizard Pencil Sharpener
Impressive product design doesn't necessarily have to have a purpose, but if it puts a smile on people's faces, it can definitely be classed as a success. This is the case for this lizard pencil sharpener, as when you sharpen the pencil, it turns into a frilled lizard! It is designs like these that make products way more fun, and funny little quirks give people more reason to purchase such a thing.
Of course, we really hope the frill looks as perfect in real life as it does in this advertisement. If our frill didn't look that perfect, our anxiety would be through the roof.
La Boule Dinner Set
To complete a kitchen, you need countless different plates and bowls. But what do you do when you don't have a lot of space to store these things? Well, the designers at Villeroy & Boch believe that they have solved this problem with their space-saving La Boule. From the outside, this looks like a piece of modern art sitting on a coffee table. But in reality, this design can fill a whole kitchen.
Nestled together to form this ball shape are seven bowls and plates, ranging from a universal plate to a flat bowl. This is the perfect example of form meeting function perfectly, and it's an impeccable design.
A Chess Set Inside a Rook
Designers are often trying to rethink products that have been around for centuries, and many hope to make the designs more streamlined and practical for this modern world. That's exactly what the designer behind this chess did. As many people struggle to keep their chess pieces in order without losing pieces around the house, they opted to design a set that would keep all of the pieces contained in one giant chess piece.
Not only are the chess pieces set onto the shelves inside the giant rook, but the chess board has also been designed to be flexible, so it covers the rook to protect the chess pieces!
Door Latch That Becomes an Accessories
Good design is all about solving problems, and we really think this design should be everywhere. After all, everyone knows the trouble of using a public restroom. Not only are the locks always broken, but there's often nowhere to put your purse or your phone while you're doing your business. So, instead of forcing people to put their phones on the dirty floor, this Japanese design has merged a door latch and an accessories tray in one.
This design is so simple yet so effective. And the best thing about this design is that there's no way you'd forget your phone in the restroom, as you'd have to look right at it to let yourself out.
A Driving Awareness Advertisement
We live in a world full of advertisements. We're constantly bombarded with ads, and we're so used to seeing them that it's more important than ever for designers to think outside of the box. Amazingly, the designers behind this advertisement absolutely nailed it. To encourage people to wear their seatbelts while in a car, they used the seatbelt as the main focus of the ad, morphing the spine and the seatbelt into one.
Everything from the design of this advertisement to the slogan is genius, and we have a feeling that this ad wouldn't go unnoticed if you passed it on the street.
A Visual Pizza Menu
Most humans prefer visual cues rather than written cues, which is why impressive designs like this one can really make an impact. Purchasing a pizza isn't an easy choice, after all. Sometimes, a written menu doesn't give you the information you need - which is why it can be easy to order the same thing you see your neighbor eating because you think it looks good. But would you thought process change if you had this menu?
This restaurant decided to design its pizza menu as a purely visual piece of information, offering guests the chance to see exactly what each pizza would look like if they ordered it.
Traffic Lights With an Hour Glass
Go anywhere in the world, and you'll find traffic lights. The design of these traffic lights is so universal that we know the rules of the road in any country around the world. However, some countries have decided to add extra segments to their traffic light design - and this is one of them. In order to help people prepare to put their foot back on the gas, their lights come with an hour glass timer.
This way, drivers can look at the timer and know exactly when the red lights will be turning green once more. And it's genius designs like this that help us go about our day with ease.
The Round Door of the Rolls
Good design can really make you stand out from the crowd, and this is no different in the car world. Every day, car designers from the top manufacturers in the world are brainstorming new and exciting design ideas that will take their vehicles to the next level. But some people believe that no other design will come close to the round door design of the 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom I.
Only a small number of these cars were ever made, making this design extremely rare. But fans praised it for its sleek design, and its perfect curvature on a fairly angular car.
A Poignant Alzheimer's Advertisement
Sometimes, advertisements don't have to be detailed or complicated. Sometimes, they can have a simple concept that offers a deeply emotional message - and this is the perfect example of that. This advertisement is raising awareness for the loved ones of Alzheimer's, and the poignant message really hits home for some people. The sticky notes are perfectly placed and perfectly colored, and the tagline is short but straight to the point.
The aim behind any advertisement is to hit people with their pain points, and we have no doubts that this advertisement does that on a daily basis. After all, so many people can sadly relate.
Cat Tail Door Handles
Hands up if you have regular door handles on your front door? Well, we're not surprised. Most of us have normal door handles that are there for function rather than form. But the designer of these door handles obviously wanted to create something special, which is why they decided to use their love of cats for inspiration. And just check out the tails that act as the actual door handles!
What we love about these handles is that, from a distance, they could just look like curvy door handles. But when you get closer, you realize that they're so much more than that, and the design is way more complicated than that.
Ballot Bins to Discourage Littering
Littering is a huge problem in this world, and while local governments can cover a city centre with trash cans, that doesn't mean that people are going to use them. However, this is proof that good design based on human interest rather than practicality can make a huge difference. Yes, these 'Ballot Bins' give passers-by the chance to pick their side as they throw their trash away, and it's designs like this that really matter.
The Barbie vs. Oppenheimer debate took the world by storm, and we bet people couldn't wait to cast their vote and throw their trash away when they saw these. And that just goes to show the power of great design.
A Drain With a Nifty Design
We live in a world full of monotony, and sometimes designers make it their mission to break up this monotony with their product design. But what you might not realize is just how big of an impact these small details can have. Take this drain, for example. We're used to seeing straight drains on the ground in front of us as we're walking down the street. But there's no doubt that you'd stop and stare if you saw this particular drain.
The squiggly lines may be subtle and small, but they offer a break in the monotony that some people really need when they're having a bad day. Individuality can always put a smile on our faces.
A Scrulptural Handrail
Sometimes the coolest designs can be found in the strangest of places, and many people don't notice them until they get lost. This is the case for many people who visit Schwäbisch Hall, a small district in Germany. Down a side street and away from the hustle and the bustle of the main city you'll find this sculpture that doubles as a handrail, and to this day it still doesn't have a name.
What we do know is that German sculptor Karl-Henning Seeman designed this and that it's been there since 1981. And when you take a moment to really look at it, the design is really quite powerful and poignant.
An Ad for Pressure Washing
In a world full of advertisements, finding a way to creatively advertise your business is getting harder and harder. The designers behind this pressure-washing advertisement absolutely nailed this one, though. They found a way to showcase their own talents using just a small bit of concrete in an underpass, and the end result was genius. In fact, it's clever designs like this that make people remember the names and numbers of businesses like this one.
If you can couple an advertisement with a demonstration of what your business provides, you really can corner the market and convince as many people as possible to use your services.
Blaupunkt Sound System
There's no doubt about the fact that design has changed over the years - especially when it comes to the colors used in these products. A great example of this can be seen within the Blaupunkt Pop 70 Sound System from 1969. Everything from the bright colors to the round shapes screams 1960s/1970s design, and it looks very different to the kind of speakers that we have in the modern world.
And while many people love our modern inventions, there are some that would much rather still have speakers like this on the market. They're so fun and bright, after all.
A French Housing Estate
When you think of Paris and France, you probably think of cobbled streets with stunning apartment buildings nestled above boulangeries. But just outside of Paris, you'll find Les Espaces D'abraxas, a high-density housing complex that was built in the late 1970s. Designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, the idea behind this housing estate was to accommodate the rising population in Paris after World War II - and the design of it is certainly unique.
What we love about this piece of architecture is that this housing estate is like an estate of two halves. While it looks so ancient, it also looks so futuristic at the same time. And that's a hard design concept to master.
IKEA Anti-Ageing Advertisement
Whether you like their flat-pack furniture or not, one thing you can't deny is that IKEA is filled with impressive designers. From designers who specialize in product design to those who specialize in marketing and advertising, they seem to hit the nail on the head every time. This can be seen within this anti-ageing advertisement, which is selling their double duvet as the ultimate anti-ageing remedy. After all, sleep is very important!
Everything about this ad, from the general concept to the graphics, is exactly what you want from a big brand trying to disrupt the industry. And it certainly makes us want to purchase a new duvet.
A Drink Driving Awareness Advertisment
While most countries have very strict rules when it comes to drunk driving, that doesn't stop people from getting behind the wheel after having a drink. Because of this, advertisements like this are still very important - and this is one of the best we've seen. At first glance, you may just see a car behind a glass of beer. But look a little closer, and you'll see the car turns into a skull.
The designers behind this advertisemnt really thought about the story they wanted to show in this ad, and you can tell. We bet those who saw this thought twice before getting behind the wheel.
A Samurai Vodka Bottle
Although exterior packaging and advertisements are the best way to get customers to purchase your products, there's no doubt about the fact that product design can also have a big impact on the buyer's journey - especially in the alcohol world. To many, alcohol is a collector's item, and many people want to have these unique and creative bottles on their liquor shelves. That's why we can't get enough of this Samurai Vodka bottle.
The designers behind this brand stuck with the samurai sword theme and stuck with it across the board, from the box to the bottle itself. And this is proof to sticking true to yourself is one of the best ways to bring in customers.
An Irreplaceable Billboard
Being ahead of the curve is one of the best ways to make an advertisement stand out from the crowd, and using the changing world to your advantage can really help to tell your story. So, let's give a round of applause to this recruitment company, as they used the changing tech world to impact how they reached out to those looking for jobs in the construction world. After all, artificial intelligence can't finish a building!
This billboard is both humorous and harrowing and one of the best ways to get people's attention. It's short and to the point, but speaks to the concerns that many people have in this world.
This Sweet Honey Packaging
In a world where everyone posts everything online, packaging is more and more important. If you see someone with a nicely packaged product, there's a high chance that you're going to want to purchase one, too! That's why more and more companies are using professional designers to help bring their packaging ideas to life, and this particular honey packaging was designed by Studio Unbound. And we have to say that we're totally obsessed with it.
At the end of the day, the honey is surrounded by a bit of cardboard, which isn't very special. But the honeycomb shape of the cardboard is what really brings this whole packaging to life.
A Shark Knife Block
Sometimes, the best products are the ones that add a little humor to the mix. After all, adult life can be pretty boring and serious, and good designers know that putting a smile on someone's face can really improve their day. That's why this shark knife block is such a genius design. Everything about the design makes sense, even though kitchen knives and sharks have nothing in common and live in very different worlds.
Nevertheless, the way these knives are spread out makes it seem as though this shark has the scariest teeth, and we bet there are so many people out there who would happily have this on their kitchen counter.
This Toucan Lamp
There are so many products out there that make life a little brighter, and this lamp is one of them. The person who posted this online stated that she inherited this lamp from her sister - and it's safe to say that she struck gold with this hand-me-down. Designed by Enea Ferrari, this toucan lamp has gone down in history as the very first children's lamp to made of plastic.
Not only that, but the design is also very smart. At first glance, you might not even realize that this toucan is actually a lamp. Instead, it just looks like a decorative accessory.
A Straight-To-The-Point Sign
While there's beauty in carefully curated advertisements and signs, there's also beauty in simplicity. Sometimes, you should let a product or service do the talking for you, and it seems as though that's exactly what the owners of this restaurant in Scotland decided to do. Instead of giving their restaurant a complicated name that didn't resonate with them at all, they decided to call themselves out as the best in the bread, meats, and bread business!
If anything, this sign just exudes confidence. These guys know that they don't need any fancy gimmicks to bring in customers. Instead, they just need to get straight to the point and tell it how it is.
Re-Using the Old Escalators
If you're not sure what's so interesting about this photo, just look up! Although this train station needed new escalators, the designers behind this update knew that they didn't want to get rid of the old ones. So, they decided to reuse them and turn them into an artistic feature on the ceiling instead. The whole effect is utterly incredible, and something we don't think we've ever seen in real life before.
We hope the people who walk under these old escalators every day know just how special this design is, and we hope they appreciate the hard work that probably went into this remodel.
A World Cancer Day Awareness Ad
Advertisements really have the power to inspire and encourage, and this is extremely important when you work for a charity. Luckily, the designers who worked on this advertisement absolutely nailed it for World Cancer Day. They used their slogan to push the whole artistic direction, and turning the image of the headphones into an image of headphones really pushed forward what they wanted to say with their advertisement. It would definitely stop you in your tracks.
After all, it really is important to your body, and reminders like this can potentially save a life. So, kudos to this team for finding a new and innovative way to design a provocative advertisement.
An Alzheimer's Puzzle Advertisement
Bringing a new form of advertisement to life isn't an easy process and one that requires a huge amount of thought by the designers behind it. And when you're working with a charity associated with something like Alzheimer's, it's important to use emotion to fuel the story. That's why this particular advertisement hits so hard, as the picture perfectly matches up with the puzzle-related slogan, and hits viewers in the feels.
Everything about this advertisement is eye-catching and emotional, and certainly one that would make people tear up when they saw it. Especially those who have been affected by such a disease.
Sculptural Shelves Around the World
No home would be complete without a few bookshelves, right? And while there's nothing wrong with heading to IKEA and buying a flat-pack bookcase to house all of your books, there's no doubt about the fact that these shelves are truly something special. The designers behind these bookshelves obviously wanted to make them sculptural and unique, and we particularly love the shelves that seem to be coming out the side of a tree trunk.
Yes, these designs prove that you can go big or go home when it comes to the bookshelves in your house, and you could even turn them into Superman shelves if you wanted to!
A Double-Sided Movie Advertisement
Nowadays, most movie advertisements can be found on television, on the internet, or on giant billboards located around the city. But there's something so wholesome about movie advertisements in a newspaper - and it seems as though these can still be found in Japan. The designers behind this advertisement didn't want to make just any newspaper ad, though. They wanted to make it double-sided, and that's exactly what they did.
This ad is printed on two sides of the same paper, so when you put the page up to the light you can see the full picture in one. And that's pretty cool.
A Billboard Clock
Although McDonald's is one of the most famous fast food chains in the world, they still put a huge amount of money into advertising new products, their hero products, and their many locations. In fact, the marketing team at McDonald's is full of amazing designers - and this is proof of that. At first glance, this might look like a rather boring McDonald's billboard, but it actually has the ability to tell the time.
Yes, the 'M' at the top of the billboard creates a shadow when the sun moves, allowing passers-by to get a general idea of the time. And we've never seen anything quite like it before.
This KitKat Bench
When brands hit the nail on the head with their advertising, they have two options: they could stick with what they know and what has been proven to work, or they could risk it all and try something new. Nestle is a great example of a brand who decided to stick with what they knew when it came to their KitKat advertising. After all, everyone knows 'Have a break, have a KitKat,' right?
And what we love about this particular advertisement is that they decided to take a bench to further enhance their message, and this is a great way to get people to purchase their product.
This Driver Awareness Advertisement
Although we're moving into a world of self-driving cars and automated stop technology, we have a feeling that driver awareness advertisements will be around for years to come. These ads teach an important lesson, but they do require a lot of creativity from the designers to get people to notice them. We have a feeling that this one definitely stopped people in their tracks, though, as it's so simple yet so effective.
This ad carried such a strong message, and it was brought across so beautifully - but in a way that will also haunt people when they think back to it.
A Self-Deprecating Car Ad
A little self-deprecation never hurt anybody, did it? Especially in the world of car advertising, as we're constantly bombarded with news of new cars and big brand deals. But in an effort to stand out from the crowd, it seems as though the Volvo designers opted to go down the self-deprecating route instead. Of course, they weren't actually calling themselves rubbish, but simply hinting towards their new plans to become more eco-friendly.
While the term 'rubbish' isn't often used in the U.S., those in Europe would certainly appreciate an advertisement like this. It's the perfect mixture of simple yet creative and eye-catching.
Detachable Cooking Instructions
Is there anything more annoying than cooking frozen food and accidentally throwing the instructions in the trash? When you do that, you can either rifle through the garbage can and fish out the dirty instructions, or you can guess the cooking time and have to deal with a burnt pizza. But it seems as though this pizza company has come up with a third option... detachable instructions you can remove from the box!
This is such a simple idea that wouldn't affect the product design too much but would make a huge difference to user experience. And we're just waiting for the day this becomes common practice.
A Mountain Napkin Holder
Let's be honest; napkin holders can be pretty boring. They're something you rarely take note of when you sit down at a restaurant table, and they're there purely for a practical purpose rather than an aesthetic purpose. This brand has decided to flip the script when it comes to napkin holders though, and has designed a simple mountain holder that makes it an eye-catching addition to any table. In fact, we love it!
While the mountainscape doesn't add to the practicality of the napkin holder in any way, it's a way to add a little personality to a table - which is what a lot of restaurants are after.
Brick That Looks Like Wood
A huge amount of time, attention, and craftmanship goes into building a structure like this. Hours of skilled laborers have to work in all weathers to bring this building to life, thanks to the drawers of an architect and designer. But while the big structure looks impressive, it's the little details that sometimes make the biggest impact - and this is certainly the case with these bricks that look like wood.
Although this is a brick building, it looks as though it has been clad in wood of all different colors, and the overall effect is both striking and stunning at the same time.