'Spread your love' by Hamed Kohan

This is a great idea for 'Seoul Cycle Design' competition by Iranian Hamed Kohan.
The idea was shortlisted from over 3,000 participants. 

Liv Design love this idea and it opens the door to a multitude of ways to personalise your cycle, or maybe other means of transport. These cycle tyres feature a tread pattern of hearts. The competition was organised by Designboom and the Seoul Design Foundation.

Imagine if tyre makers went ahead with it? Add you logo to your company van perhaps? Personalise you car tyres with your name? We'll see what the future holds...

Steampunk your smartphone

If you're a bit bored of your Blackberry or iPhone and dream of days gone by, then why not take some inspiration from designer Richard Clarkson with the gorgeous Rotary Mechanical Smartphone.

Like many people (including us at Liv Design), you hunger for the good ol' days of mechanical and rotary devices, this concept is great. Old meets new. The phone features two interchangeable brass dials with a rotary dial and a button dial. The body is electroplated copper which is over painted and designed to age/improve aesthetically as it wears.

And for people who don't know what the Steampunk genre is, it's the dark gothic fantasy world where victorian-esque mechanical creations meet futuristic steam operated and clockwork devices. Nice...

Are business cards relevant today?

If you're in business with a role where you are engaged in meeting other people in business, you'll undoubtedly have a business card.

For decades this small 55x90mm (ish) bit of cardboard has been an essential piece of communication. But is it still necessary in today's digital world?

Surely people are now more likely to look online for a business or a service, and that usually means looking at a company's website or social media such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for contact details? Yes, a business card acts as a permanent reminder of a contact name, or a location, or a service, but so can a favourited webpage or computer's address/contacts book.

A business card is still relevant, perhaps even more now. Times are changing, that's true, so it's time to think a little differently about the role and purpose of a business card. A card is not merely a bit of text listing you're name, job title and your address anymore. And just why do people need to know you're address unless they're planning on visiting you? Is that essential at a first introduction?

Great example of a clever, memorable, and sector based business card

Think of a card as an advert or a brochure. It's a selling tool. It's selling you, and it's selling you're offering (whether that's a service or a product). It's also saying a lot about you. If you have a card on a flimsy bit of photocopy paper that you've cut out yourself with a pair of scissors, what does that say about you? It might look like you don't care about what you do or value who you do it with, or that you have no money.

World's most expensive card from Black Astrum

Now it's not about making an expensive business card (like the world's most expensive card at $1,500 each!). What does that card say? Arrogant? Opulent? The best? We charge a premium?... You are advertising and promoting your business first and foremost. Your card should say what you do, what you offer, and how you offer it.

Imagine you're at a business event and you get a dozen cards from the same type of company for a service that you need. Which one do would contact? Why?

The first mistake is to only use one side of a card. It has two sides, you should use the space. Put your details on one side and use the other to show images of your work, items that you make or sell, a list of services that you offer etc.

Secondly, adding your contact details and your logo is not enough. Your logo might not say enough about what you do. I've had many cards where the following day I have no idea what the company did. Contact is not all about the phone these days. Put your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blog details on there or even add a QR barcode for smartphones to scan.

Thirdly, don't see your business card as an instant sales tool. People might want to get to know you and your company for a time before contacting you directly and placing work. Your card is also an opportunity to direct traffic to your website, encourage people to sign up to your newsletter, participate in offers or take part in surveys etc. You may get recommended to another business, so effectively you get free advertising too, it's not just about making a sale.

Key points to remember about designing your business card:

• Be informative but give provide the right information
• Make it memorable and eye-catching
• Think about your brand identity
• Think about your message and what you say
• List your services
• Showcase your products
• They're a cost-effective way to advertise

There are no hard and fast rules to business cards. Use whatever format you want. A business card can be any size, any colour, and be on any substrate. There are millions of great examples out there. Be inspired, be creative.

A little cheer up for January from Liv Design

Marriage – so complicated. Do you think you'll ever understand you're husband?!...

Brisk Star Wars Episode I campaign

Brisk Iced Tea (a joint venture from Pepsi and Liptons) launches a campaign in the US to promote their products and tie in with the launch of Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace released in 3D in February. The campaign will use TV, digital, radio and cinema adverts, Special Limited Edition packaging and promotions, and a mobile game app called 'Brisksaber'. The campaign features Yoda and Darth Maul.

The smartphone app, available via Facebook, iTunes and Android, allows users to play and unlock new characters and objects by using codes found on specially marked packaging. Players can share their scores on Facebook and Twitter, and top-scoring players feature on a leaderboard on Facebook. 

A great example of interactive marketing using both online and offline media we think.

Light Up Your Mood

Christmas and New Year are over for another year. We could all do with a little cheering up in these dark January mornings and evening. What better way to put a smile on your face than with these cute light switch stickers!

These Light Up Your Mood Light Switch Stickers, designed by Henrietta Swift, come in three designs: Girls, Boys and Animals and are made from an easy peel vinyl which makes them easy to apply. The sticker sheets have a variety of sticker parts to create your own designs. There should be enough to decorate eight light switches.

Check out Henrietta Swift's website for more information and see all her designs.

A great example of new 3D light projection technology. This urban pinball is a brilliant playable interactive light show shown at the Festival of Light 2011 in Lyon by collective CT Light Concept.

Star Wars Evian packaging

After successful designer collaborations with Jean Paul Gaultier, Paul Smith (which we have on our shelf!) and Issey Miyake, you might wonder what French water brand Evian will create next for their packaging.

Maybe these Star Wars themed bottles created by Mandy Brencys? Part lightsaber, part Matey bubble bath bottle, we think they'd go down a treat in the Cantina...

Liv Design tips – Surround yourself in design

Surround yourself with inspiration and design reference

I've been asked a couple of times recently about advice for designers, whether it's for students studying design or young designers starting out in their first role in design. There are lots for things I could say, and probably a lot I shouldn't!

So you've decided to embark on a journey into the world of design? Good choice. Whichever aspect of design you've chosen, whether it's web, furniture, packaging, graphics, fashion or whatever, I think the principal applies equally to all fields.

The key thing to being a good designer is to be inspired. Design is all about creativity. The world we live in is made by design. It couldn't function without it. Everything you see has been designed by someone and you've probably not even noticed. Your day in full of interaction with design from the moment you wake up. From the chair you sit in for breakfast in the morning, to the box of cereal you have, the paper that you read (or the iPad app version); even the kettle and toaster that you use.

We tend to take things for granted. We are surrounded by 'stuff'. It tends to be a fast-paced and cluttered world that we live in that we tend not to notice what's around us, particularly the world of design.

An essential part of being a great designer is to notice everything – the things around us, the world that surrounds us. Notice the little things. Observation. Look at the advertisements, see the cars, watch the people and how they act and what they wear. Learn to think about the 'how' and the 'why'. Where did that jacket come from? Why does that car look like that? What was the brief? What was the target market? A whole process of design, evolution (and sometimes revolution) has taken place before you even see it. What was the brief from the client? Why does the finished design/object/article look like that? Did price play a part? Did materials dictate the end result?

It helps with your creative output to have creative input. To be inspired you need inspiration. Surround yourself with it. Wherever you work have something on your desk, your computer, your wall, in your drawer or on your shelves. Keep a 'scrapbook' too. It can be a physical one or digital one on your computer. You will need it one day, guaranteed. It can be web downloads, pictures, photos, pages from magazines, labels, fabrics.... anything and everything. Inspiration comes from anywhere. Don't think that because you are a web designer that your inspiration and motivation can only come from other websites. It may come from a fashion magazine, or some packaging, or even a catalogue you've seen. 

I add notes onto my phone and take photos nearly every day. 

Change your surroundings regularly too. It's great if you've got a notice board or shelf full of inspiration and reference, but if you don't change it regularly you will start to not notice it anymore and it will become mundane, redundant and ineffectual. Remember, you need to 'see' to be inspired.

While it's vital to be motivated and inspired by other work, it's essential you don't 'borrow ideas'. Copying other work may seem like a quick design fix, but it's a) illegal b) immoral c) you wouldn't like it if it happened to your work. If you have enough reference and inspiration around you, you will find your own creative solutions to the brief.

And on a final note, you've chosen a great and rewarding career. There are few jobs in the world that you create something from nothing. At times it's hard work, it can be stressful. But enjoy it, have fun with it, and don't take yourself too seriously!

Scott Johnson, Creative Director at Liv Design Ltd, Graphic Design and Branding agency in Nottingham

Make Christmas a little less traditional

Finding Christmas a little routine? Had enough of listening to the same festive songs? Fed up of seeing Santas, Rudolphs and Icicles on every building? Why not make an effort this year with your decorations and bring some fun and individuality back to your decorations. Try something different. Here's a few we'd love to have hanging on our tree this year!

This is a pretty amazing creation from Chris Mcveigh. It's the Death Star from Star Wars, made of lego! Here's the list of parts you need to make your own.

Got a favourite band? Love rock and metal? Show your allegiance with this official Metallica bauble featuring the bands iconic ninja star logo.

Or how about this lovely Alice in Wonderland inspired handmade glass ornament from Fairyfolk featuring a felt toad toadstool and woolly moss.

We've featured these lovely and simple Pantone baubles in the recent Liv Design newsletter, but here's another chance to see them! Available in a range of colours from Italian company Soletti.

These are cute fine bone decorations from Reiko Kaneko, created by Fay Ray, featuring an array of little animals peering into the baubles. Sniffy sniffy...

Maybe if you're not feeling festive, go for a little anti-christmas message from Jingleballs...

The current Liv Design favourite are these rope and gingham baubles from John Lewis for the minimal homely look.

Time to get that tree up!

Great design – BOXX Corp's mini motorbike

Meet BOXX Corporation's electric 'motorcycle', the Designer 100 Series. Scheduled to be available for a while now it's now finally available to purchase. The all electric two wheeled urban transport is the first in a series of planned models. The quirky design and compact dimensions are a sure to be a success for city urbanites.

It comes with two wheel drive (AWD) and produces zero emissions making it hugely environmentally friendly. The range is around 20 miles (or 40 miles in ECO mode) but this can be upgraded to double the range. Top speed is quoted at between 28mph and 35mph. 

A standard full charge takes 4 hours but an optional fast charger takes the time to just 1 hour. 

It's available in ten colours with two different seat colours.

The bike weighs 120 pounds but the great thing is it's size, coming in at 1 metre x 8in x 36in, that's about the size of a suitcase so you could potentially just put it in the boot of your car and use it for short trips.

It costs $3,999 and is available to order now for 2012 delivery.

Configure yours on the BOXX website.

Pantone Universe iPad 2 and iPhone 4 cases

Pantone's products feature regularly on the Liv Design blog. There's just something really clever, simple and useful about the way that they apply their brand to products. The designs from Pantone Universe range somehow seem to appear well-thought out and are aimed perfectly at the right market (usually anyone into design and designer products). They have an irritatingly good way of making their products look so good with minimal efforts.

We recently discovered the range of covers for Apple products from a Monaco based company called Case Scenario who 'create mobile accessories with functionality, design and style in mind'. Sounds like a perfect partnership.

We'll definitely be trying out a lovely case for our new iPhone 4S.

The iPhone 4S range comes in the following colours: Pantone 711 (Red), Pantone 7462 (Blue), Pantone Yellow, Pantone 226 (Pink), Pantone 354 (Green), Pantone Cool Grey 5, Pantone 418 (Grey) and Pantone Black.

The iPad 2 range comes in Pantone 290 (light blue), Pantone Rubine Red (Pink), Pantone (185), Pantone Cool Grey 5, Pantone Black and Pantone 1665 (Orange). The Case Scenario website also features a nifty little Simulator to see which Back Case looks best with your choice of Apple Smart Cover. 

There are also cases for iPods and MacBooks.

Porche Design P'9981 Blackberry Smartphone

Now this is a thing of beauty. This is the new 'restricted' edition (not limited) Porsche Design P'9981 Blackberry Smartphone. But is it enough to rival Apple's iPhone 4S in terms of design and desirability?

It looks great, forged in stainless steel with a leather back. Inside it's essentially Blackberry's Bold 9900 that's been given the Porsche treatment. It comes with a QWERTY keyboard, 1.25GHz processor, 8GB memory, 5MP camera and 720 HD video recording.

If standing out in the board room meeting is your thing, then this will look great on the table. But exclusivity comes at a price. The current unlocked Blackberry Bold 9900 is around £475, but the new P'9981 in the US will cost around $2,000! UK prices are to be announced.

But it is a thing of beauty, and sure to robust and tactile. Well thought out, well crafted design doesn't some cheap, but then why should it? You pay for what you get. How happy would you be using it?...

Online checkout - in real life

Imagine if we had to shop like this in the real world!... Funny video from Google.

The revolutionary light field camera from Lytro

Could this be the way forward for photography? The new Lytro camera is a really clever piece of technology that may revolutionise the way we take photographs.

It works by capturing the entire light field rather than using light from just one plane.

This ability to capture light in every direction and from every point allows you to focus and re-focus at any point on the image – AFTER you've taken it! So no need to make sure you get a shot spot on first time.

With no shutter delay and no focussing this should provide a sharper, more instant shot.

For more more details visit Lytro. The gallery of images shows how you can click on different parts of an image to refocus them. Amazing...