Design

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.

These designers turned their office into a skate park

The playful space features furniture that transforms from a standing desk into a half-pipe, a floor lamp into a ramp, and more.

I’d give up sushi for life to own this $42 million solar yacht

The stunning electric catamaran designed by Yves Béhar cruises the oceans on electric energy and even solar powers your island villa when it docks.

These magicians just designed a new magic trick for people who are blind

Magicians were tasked with creating a trick that didn't rely on sight, touch, smell, or taste. The result? Auditory teleportation.

Jaguar’s new EV is as wild as its new logo

Jaguar’s new concept car, Type 00, comes after the British automaker’s controversial rebrand. The car could be just as polarizing.

How Shein and Temu will get you to impulse buy this holiday season

Shein and Temu's business models make them big competition for Western retailers this holiday shopping season.

Meet the designer who knits with wind power

Dutch designer Merel Karhof is on a quest to make wind power more tangible.

These chic car seats and strollers are made from oyster shells

Britax now has an premium brand called Romer, which focuses on more elegant design and sustainability at a higher price point.

Calling Elon Musk: This 30-pound marble MAGA hat costs $48,000

Artist Robin Antar records pop culture in white Carrara marble. The hat is part of a series called 'What's going on in America now.'