25-31 May 2020 – Design Week

“Design is a tool for national production, not a cultural pastime”: a Finland design guide

Henry Wong — Fri, 29 May 2020 15:06:51 +0000

In May, Helsinki hosted a virtual gig by creating a digital twin of itself. Finland’s capital was accessed by over 700,000 people (12% of the country’s population) through the immersive simulation. While attendance was no doubted boosted by lockdown boredom, the project has been in development for over two years. The most streamed band in Finland, JVG, performed to a virtual audience.

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Animated guides for asylum seekers avoid “dehumanising and patronising” tropes

Molly Long — Thu, 28 May 2020 15:27:37 +0000

Animated guides explaining the various steps of the asylum process in the UK have been created by London-based design studio Templo. The videos, which have been designed on behalf of national charity Migrant Help, aim to “enhance” asylum seekers’ knowledge of the process they find themselves in, using “clear, simple and empowering information” alongside bright and bold colours and animation.

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A graduate guide to navigating the job market during the pandemic

Molly Long — Thu, 28 May 2020 13:50:21 +0000

When they first applied to courses years ago, no graduating design student could have predicted the way they’d be ending their university career in 2020. And having nearly made it through the trials of their last year in education, students are now faced with another intimidating task: finding a job in an industry that, like many others, has been severely affected by the global coronavirus…

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Podcast: How can designers help brands drive rapid digital change?

Tom Banks — Wed, 27 May 2020 14:20:22 +0000

Many brands are undergoing digital transformation during the pandemic as they strive to be relevant and useful to their customers. Designers are helping businesses do this by identifying and delivering meaningful interactive experiences, adapting existing services and creating new ones to add value. Here we’re joined by Studio Output creative director Johanna Drewe and Resn creative director…

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Schuh’s new visual identity aims to put people first

Henry Wong — Wed, 27 May 2020 13:59:36 +0000

Shoe shop Schuh has an updated visual identity, including brand positioning, refined logo and colour palette. Stockholm-based studio Snask has designed the new look, which is based around making customers feel “welcome” in the shops. Fredrick Öst, Snask’s creative director and founder, tells Design Week that the new brand positioning focuses on customer needs rather than showing off…

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Drone service launches in US to deliver medical supplies by air

Henry Wong — Wed, 27 May 2020 12:04:35 +0000

Zipline, a drone startup, has launched America’s first emergency drone delivery operation, in collaboration with Novant Health, a healthcare network based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The service will provide contactless, on-demand delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other “critical medical supplies” to medical responders in the North Carolina metropolitan area.

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Coronavirus sick pay scheme opens for small businesses

Molly Long — Tue, 26 May 2020 13:19:51 +0000

Small and medium-sized businesses — which includes most design consultancies — will now be able to apply to recoup coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) costs from the government. First announced in chancellor Rishi Sunak’s inaugural Spring Budget back in March, the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme was billed as a way to ensure the businesses and people would not lose out if…

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