Welcome to the Liv Design blog, an eclectic mix of great design and quirky finds

There's nothing better than a bit of fun at Christmas. For a great desktop diversion check out this Swatch game! Frantic, addictive snowball fun (but not for lovers of cutesy animals...) www.swatchseasons.com

Apple launched it's "Apple TV" this year to mixed reviews. According to MacUser sales of Apple TV are proving extremely disappointing. It's suggested that Apple has only managed to sell 400,000 so far this year which is far less than the speculated one million estimate. I'm not sure of the purpose of the £200+ Apple TV. You can watch your home movies, music, photos, movie trailers and podcasts from your iTunes library wirelessly from your computer. Isn't that a little expensive just to transfer the 'flavour of the week' files that are already on your computer? Is there a desire for iTunes video? Is there a limit to how many YouTube videos and movie trailers people want to watch? Will low sales affect sales of other Apple devices? So what about the future of iTunes video, and does this mean the iPhone and the iPod touch have limited desirability and purpose? With the iphone and ipod range surely on everyone's Christmas list this year I'm sure Ap...

So what is a 'Brand'? Name a brand... There are millions worldwide. Many we've never heard of. Some are local. Some are national, some international, like Nike or Coca-Cola. Take BMW for instance. Everyone's heard of them. Everyone knows they make cars. Well-made cars. But do you know what BMW stand for? Bavarian Motor Works. And what about the famous blue and white logo. Do you know what that is? It's actually a propeller blade. BMW actually started out manufacturing aeroplanes before making cars and motorbikes. The thing is, you don't need to know. Sometimes it's an acronym, sometimes an abbreviation, sometimes a name. Sometimes nothing. Completely random. As the phrase goes 'What's in a name?'. And a logo? A logo is a representation. It's a symbol. It is a means of association and recognition, just like a road sign for example. It's only by repeated association, interaction or subjection to this do we actually learn it's meaning. I...

We attended a talk earlier this week with ex Red or Dead supremo Wayne Hemingway. To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect. Everyone knows him from hs Red or Dead days and still associates him with the company despite hm selling it over 8 years ago, then going on to set up Hemingway Design with his wife. He came accross as a very passionate man, very 'anti-establishment' – an activist. He's a man prepared to work hard and stand up for what he believes in. I can totally relate to his ethos, and his frustrations. I founded Liv Design on similar principles. You have to go out on a limb sometimes in order to achieve what you want. The whole creative industry seems fixed in some cliche-riddled world of self-imposed rules, regulations and expected ways of operating. Ironic, for an industry that supposedly demonstrates freedom of expression and acts as an inspiration to others. He cites individuality as your USP. Quality as standard. Education is vital. Passion is paramount, ...