In Japan, Even the Barcodes Are Well Designed

D-barcode specializes in turning barcodes into something fun and memorable.READ»

Battle of the Books: Scroogenomics vs. Shoptimism

The holiday shopping season is already upon us, and just in time for the rush are two books centered on consumerism. With our purse strings at stake, we pit the reads against each other.READ»

Are Wireless Road Trains the Cure for Traffic Congestion?

The concept of road trains--up to eight vehicles zooming down the road together--has long been considered a faster, safer, and greener way of traveling long distances by car. And now, thanks to a European Union-financed project, ...READ»

Blockbuster to Rent Movies on SD Cards, but Why?

Blockbuster is piloting a new movie-rental program that allows customers to load movies onto SD cards and play them back on mobile phones and TVs equipped with SD readers. Perhaps conceived as a one-up response to the ...READ»

Penalty! Unnecessary Blandness! Redesigning the Worst NFL Helmet Graphics

Ken Carbone couldn't stand to let another football season go by watching great teams play with subpar helmet graphics. So he redesigned three of the worst offenders.READ»

• Ken Carbone's Yes to Less blog

Inside the IED Battle Drill: How Hollywood Is Prepping Soldiers for Roadside Attacks

An immersive experience uses state-of-the-art Hollywood visual effects and theme park technology can help soldiers learn what to expect in an IED ambush--and may save lives.READ»

iPhone-Loving Verizon Drops Another Lump of Coal Into AT&T's Stocking

As the rumors about Verizon getting the iPhone continue to swirl around Cellville, here's another little nugget of conjecture for us all to bask in. Behold the latest holiday ad for Verizon. The creatives have taken us to the ...READ»

Razorfish's FEED Study: Brands Are the New Celebrity

We may sign up to a brand's Twitter feed for the deals, but we're staying for fun.READ»

A Japanese Design Master's Disappearing Act

Oki Sato, who heads the firm Nendo, is one brightest talents in a new generation of Japanese minimalist designers. His designs have seldom been seen in the U.S.--but that changes with "Ghost Stories: New Works from Nendo," a new show at New York's Museum of Art and design which runs through January 10.READ»

PETCO's Pesky Puppies Found in Los Angeles Park: Ingenious or Invasive?

Over the weekend, Los Angeles hikers got their Spandex in a bunch when confronted with a pack of yellow cut-out Chihuahuas stuck into the hillside of a popular park: Ads for PETCO.READ»

Google's Data Show Tennessee, Florida Most Troubled Over Health Care

Google's philanthropic Flu Trends site has been able to track swine flu about as well as health care surveillance, according to Bloomberg. What else can trending searches tell us about the state of health in the United ...READ»

What It Means to Lead Your Boss

The real strength and resilience, not to mention creativity and energy, of an organization lies with the people who make things work. So now is a time for those in middle management to consider ways to help their organizations succeed in these troubled times. We call this "leading up."READ»

Quick, Hide the Solar Panels!

A new arts center shows how to make solar panels look good, without camouflaging them.READ»

Is the Atmosphere Simpler Than We Thought?

The "butterfly effect" is being set aside in favor of a multifractal process that will have a major impact on climate models.READ»

Winky Dink and the Low-Tech Future of Interaction Design

A charming new storybook concept makes you wonder: Why aren't we trying to figure out what's possible with the tech we already have--rather than focusing on the future?READ»