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.