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

This may be a spoof, and we can't speak French so we're not sure what all the spiel is about, but it looks like IKEA is planning something car related. We seriously doubt it's a plat-packed MDF car but what on earth are they up to in France?... Judge for yourself at www.roulez-leko.com

This is a funky little website for Kia's cool new small car, the Kia Soul, aimed at the style conscious. The website fits to full screen and looks like a PC desktop with some really humourous and quirky icons on the left. If you click on the Frying Pan for example a fried egg flips up onto the screen and slides down, and the Rocket flies around the screen before a 'recommend a friend' pop up appears. The emphasis is aimed squarely at fun. Websites should be fun and full of character. After all they are part of the brand. And if you are showcasing a fun and cheeky product, the website can't be a formal template styled affair. The beauty is in the detail and the little quirky touches which make a it appealing to a more youthful target audience that Kia currently doesn't attract. As for the car, we're not too sure about the 'Dragon' edition... a little American for UK tastes?

Chris Bangle, BMW's controversial head of design has resigned this week. Bangle, 52, was BMW's design chief since 1992 and one of the most controversial and well-known automotive designers in the last 20 years. His designs were renowned for their 'love it or hate it' styling and were famous for their 'Bangle Butt' rear designs. He also managed to have a website dedicated to him by the hardcore BMW 'traditionalists' to have him removed! Bangle achieved much success at BMW, having designed the current 3 series, 5 series, the previous 7-Series, as well as the 1 series, Z3, X3 and X5. He also oversaw the design of the BMW-owned Mini range and Rolls-Royce models. He is now off to pursue other design challenges... Dutchman Adrian van Hooydonk will take over as BMW Group design chief.