Design

Taylor Swift might just save Target’s Christmas

More Black Friday shoppers have been buying online, but this year they actually showed up at Target—thanks to Taylor Swift.

Inside the $740 million restoration that resurrected Notre Dame Cathedral from the ashes

Five years, 2,500 trees, and $740 million later, a gleaming Notre Dame Cathedral is reopening to the public in Paris.

Skechers ‘AI slop’ ad draws ire, Alex Cooper’s Unwell underwhelms, and Skims hits the slopes with nude-hued outerwear

This is the branding news we're following this week.

This Christmas-themed Trump ‘pooper’ figurine is selling fast in Spain

Trump figurines also proved popular in 2016 when he won a first presidential term, and in 2020 when he lost the election.

Pantone’s 2025 color of the year is a delicious flavor of brown

The milk chocolaty color evokes the comfort of coffee, but will mix with just about anything.

Pentagram partner Paula Scher unapologetically defends using generative AI

Parts of the creative community erupted in outrage after partner Paula Scher and her team designed a government website using Midjourney.

Could Trump’s tariffs kill fast fashion?

Steep tariffs could have a silver lining: They have the potential to end the current era of cheap, disposable clothing.

Pizza Hut just launched a new restaurant concept. It shows where the business is headed next

Pizza Hut’s redesigned pilot restaurant focuses on an elevated customer experience to encourage drive-thru orders and in-person dining.

This ancient building material is making a comeback

A new generation of apartments, factories, schools, and homes is using straw as a sustainable construction alternative.

When customers feel pressured to tip, it backfires for businesses

Customers who felt watched while tipping were less likely to make a return visit or recommend a business.

Turn off your away message. A24’s Y2K microsite just brought back AIM

To promote its new movie 'Y2K,' A24 launched a microsite that brings back the computer desktop from 1999, complete with AIM.

Hong Kong will display thousands of giant panda sculptures, aiming to boost tourism

The displays reflect Hong Kong's use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia's top tourism destinations.

Spotify Wrapped is out, and it’ll take you on your own personal Eras Tour

This year's Spotify Wrapped breaks down each users' musical "phases" based on listening habits throughout the year—with a whole new look.

This AI-powered punching bag looks like the future of fitness

Growl uses sensors, cameras, and AI to turn a boxing bag into a personal trainer

How the ‘twinkling tree’ became this year’s ‘it’ holiday decor item

Home Depot and Lowe’s ‘twinkling’ trees went TikTok viral. We looked into why, and pinged the companies to compare their specs.

Music can change how you feel about what you remember, research shows

Music acts as an emotional lure, becoming intertwined with memories and subtly altering their emotional tone.

One of the world’s most boring companies just got one of the year’s most interesting logos

Data centers don't usually invest in high-design logos. With a new rebrand from JKR, Centersquare is changing that trend.

Catalogs are smaller this holiday shopping season as brands try to reach customers other ways

Retail companies found that they could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase.

Peace in Afghanistan’s capital has been a boon for real estate

People who spent years living and working abroad are returning home, keen to take advantage of Afghanistan's much-improved security and stability.

Sauna culture has taken off in Minnesota. Here’s why

Minnesota's sauna mania, rooted in the state's strong Nordic heritage, offers fans warmth and social connection.