THE WORST DESIGN OF AUGUST
In our monthly section, we spotlight the strangest, most illogical, or just hilariously useless design ideas — not to mock, but to sharpen our sense of taste and purpose.
Subway for cats
Chinese YouTuber Xing’s World built a fully functional underground metro system for cats. Four months, 3D-printed doors, a working escalator — impressive engineering, but… do cats really need this?
Sidewalk block sandals
Thai brand PDM designed sandals shaped like zigzag paving blocks. The idea? Walk around and literally fill in the sidewalk gaps with your feet. Practical? No. Attention-grabbing? Definitely.
GamiFries for Nintendo Switch 2
Fan-artist 7R135 created a 3D-printed fry holder that magnetically clips to your console. Because what’s better than gaming? Gaming with fries — hands-free.
What’s your pick for the worst design of the month? Share in comments!
#DAFESNewsDigest #DesignGoneWrong
In our monthly section, we spotlight the strangest, most illogical, or just hilariously useless design ideas — not to mock, but to sharpen our sense of taste and purpose.
Subway for cats
Chinese YouTuber Xing’s World built a fully functional underground metro system for cats. Four months, 3D-printed doors, a working escalator — impressive engineering, but… do cats really need this?
Sidewalk block sandals
Thai brand PDM designed sandals shaped like zigzag paving blocks. The idea? Walk around and literally fill in the sidewalk gaps with your feet. Practical? No. Attention-grabbing? Definitely.
GamiFries for Nintendo Switch 2
Fan-artist 7R135 created a 3D-printed fry holder that magnetically clips to your console. Because what’s better than gaming? Gaming with fries — hands-free.
What’s your pick for the worst design of the month? Share in comments!
#DAFESNewsDigest #DesignGoneWrong
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WEEKEND READING: "The Color Black: Antinomies of a Color in Architecture and Art",
MACK Books (2024)
This book offers a profound and visually rich exploration of the colour black in art and architecture. It features two essays: one by architect and critic Mohsen Mostafavi, the other by art historian Max Raphael.
Mostafavi reveals how black operates as both a visual language and a conceptual force — at once emotional, political, and spatial.
Max Raphael approaches black empirically. His observations of Old Masters propose a radical theory of form that continues to resonate with contemporary architects and artists alike.
This is not just a book about colour. It’s a book about how ideas travel — across disciplines, geographies, and generations.
#WeekendRecommendation
MACK Books (2024)
This book offers a profound and visually rich exploration of the colour black in art and architecture. It features two essays: one by architect and critic Mohsen Mostafavi, the other by art historian Max Raphael.
Mostafavi reveals how black operates as both a visual language and a conceptual force — at once emotional, political, and spatial.
Max Raphael approaches black empirically. His observations of Old Masters propose a radical theory of form that continues to resonate with contemporary architects and artists alike.
This is not just a book about colour. It’s a book about how ideas travel — across disciplines, geographies, and generations.
#WeekendRecommendation
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“Packaging Design” Winner of the “DAFES Choice. June 2025” award (3rd place)
"MELLOW. Yogurt" transforms an everyday product into a design object. Dessert is packed into a transparent spherical capsule, divided into two sections: the base yogurt and a flavorful topping. The form emphasizes curiosity and sharing, while the clear surface showcases natural textures — from dried mango pieces to strawberry pearls and chocolate shavings. This packaging invites users not only to mix flavors but also to share with others and discover new taste combinations.
Because true happiness lies in sharing!
Are you working in product design?
Now you can showcase your creativity at DAFES AWARDS 2025 in the “Packaging Design” nomination. Applications are free, with no age, nationality, or professional level limits. The deadline is October 12.
Don't wait until the last minute, submit your work now!
Explore more open calls for designers via the link.
#DAFESTalents #DAFESChoice
"MELLOW. Yogurt" transforms an everyday product into a design object. Dessert is packed into a transparent spherical capsule, divided into two sections: the base yogurt and a flavorful topping. The form emphasizes curiosity and sharing, while the clear surface showcases natural textures — from dried mango pieces to strawberry pearls and chocolate shavings. This packaging invites users not only to mix flavors but also to share with others and discover new taste combinations.
Because true happiness lies in sharing!
Are you working in product design?
Now you can showcase your creativity at DAFES AWARDS 2025 in the “Packaging Design” nomination. Applications are free, with no age, nationality, or professional level limits. The deadline is October 12.
Don't wait until the last minute, submit your work now!
Explore more open calls for designers via the link.
#DAFESTalents #DAFESChoice
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Winner of DAFES Choice. June 2025 (3rd place)
KaoYao by Luiza Grigoryan is a web art exploration of the cultural and linguistic peculiarities of kaomoji — the Japanese emoticon system that goes beyond standard symbols. By integrating body language into text combinations, kaomoji convey not only basic emotions but also subtle nuances: intonation, facial expressions, and gestures.
Using the webcam on the site, users receive a kaomoji that matches their mood. Computer vision reads facial expressions in real-time, identifying the spectrum of emotional states, while the website’s algorithm generates complex composite kaomoji.
Relying on unique denoscriptions of emotions in different languages, the Mistral language model suggests names and denoscriptions for the kaomoji.
Are you working with motion design?
Submit your projects to DAFES AWARDS 2025 in the Motion Design nomination. No age, nationality, or professional limits. Participation is free. The deadline is October 12.
#DAFESChoice #DAFESAwards
KaoYao by Luiza Grigoryan is a web art exploration of the cultural and linguistic peculiarities of kaomoji — the Japanese emoticon system that goes beyond standard symbols. By integrating body language into text combinations, kaomoji convey not only basic emotions but also subtle nuances: intonation, facial expressions, and gestures.
Using the webcam on the site, users receive a kaomoji that matches their mood. Computer vision reads facial expressions in real-time, identifying the spectrum of emotional states, while the website’s algorithm generates complex composite kaomoji.
Relying on unique denoscriptions of emotions in different languages, the Mistral language model suggests names and denoscriptions for the kaomoji.
Are you working with motion design?
Submit your projects to DAFES AWARDS 2025 in the Motion Design nomination. No age, nationality, or professional limits. Participation is free. The deadline is October 12.
#DAFESChoice #DAFESAwards
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Masters of the Medium: Gerhard Richter
Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) is among the most influential living painters of the 20th century. His path to art began in childhood and, despite an academic education, he became best known for his abstract works. At the heart of his practice lies a dialogue between realism and abstraction.
Richter worked alongside—but never fully embraced—the rapid succession of postwar art movements, from Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art to Minimalism and Conceptualism. He absorbed their ideas while remaining skeptical of any absolute artistic or philosophical credo.
Shaped by the trauma of WWII and the repressive regime of the GDR, his art reflects the fragility of memory and history. By blurring and distorting images, he transformed photographs and media snapshots into paintings that speak of loss, society, and remembrance.
#MastersOfTheMedium
Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) is among the most influential living painters of the 20th century. His path to art began in childhood and, despite an academic education, he became best known for his abstract works. At the heart of his practice lies a dialogue between realism and abstraction.
Richter worked alongside—but never fully embraced—the rapid succession of postwar art movements, from Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art to Minimalism and Conceptualism. He absorbed their ideas while remaining skeptical of any absolute artistic or philosophical credo.
Shaped by the trauma of WWII and the repressive regime of the GDR, his art reflects the fragility of memory and history. By blurring and distorting images, he transformed photographs and media snapshots into paintings that speak of loss, society, and remembrance.
#MastersOfTheMedium
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Winner of DAFES Choice June 2025
"LifeOS" by Timofey Petrenko is a text-based sandbox PC game that lets players explore the world through short commands in a terminal. The player drifts through events, collecting items, places, facts, or acquaintances — and combines them to unlock new events. The design embraces retro aesthetics: pixel graphics that echo the look and feel of early 1990s operating systems.
Call for Game Designers:
If you work in game design, you can apply for DAFES AWARDS 2025. Two nominations are open: Game Development and Game Visuals. Winners will gain recognition from the design community and valuable media visibility. There are no limits by age, nationality, or professional level. Entry is free.
Deadline: October 12 — but don’t wait until the last moment, apply now!
#DAFESAwards #DAFESChoice
"LifeOS" by Timofey Petrenko is a text-based sandbox PC game that lets players explore the world through short commands in a terminal. The player drifts through events, collecting items, places, facts, or acquaintances — and combines them to unlock new events. The design embraces retro aesthetics: pixel graphics that echo the look and feel of early 1990s operating systems.
Call for Game Designers:
If you work in game design, you can apply for DAFES AWARDS 2025. Two nominations are open: Game Development and Game Visuals. Winners will gain recognition from the design community and valuable media visibility. There are no limits by age, nationality, or professional level. Entry is free.
Deadline: October 12 — but don’t wait until the last moment, apply now!
#DAFESAwards #DAFESChoice
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DAFES | Design, Art, Fashion, Education & Startups
Video
Awful news came from Milan – today died Giorgio Armani, not only the legendary designer who shaped the modern fashion, but a big philanthropist and patron of arts 🙏
In June we published the report from Armani Silos museum in Milan. You can still admire there a retrospective exhibition of his works for Armani Privè.
In June we published the report from Armani Silos museum in Milan. You can still admire there a retrospective exhibition of his works for Armani Privè.
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Weekly News Digest
1. Nano Banana by Gemini
Google DeepMind introduced a new Ai image-editing feature in the Gemini app. It keeps your likeness consistent while letting you merge photos, change locations, or apply styles.
2. Sunshine at Haus Nowhere
Perfume brand TAMBURINS in concept store Haus Nowhere (Seoul) unveiled a striking robotic installation, “Sunshine,” - a hyper-realistic giant dog in slumber guarded by two giant robots. Through the Sunshine AI Twin Look photo experience, guests can capture surreal portraits in matching outfits with the robotic dog, blurring the line between fashion, art, and technology.
3. The new top editor at American Vogue
The rumors were true! Chloe Malle was announced to replace Anna Wintour.
4. Addio, Maestro!
One of the most influential fashion designers of our time, Giorgio Armani, passed away yesterday at the age of 91.
#DAFESNewsDigest
1. Nano Banana by Gemini
Google DeepMind introduced a new Ai image-editing feature in the Gemini app. It keeps your likeness consistent while letting you merge photos, change locations, or apply styles.
2. Sunshine at Haus Nowhere
Perfume brand TAMBURINS in concept store Haus Nowhere (Seoul) unveiled a striking robotic installation, “Sunshine,” - a hyper-realistic giant dog in slumber guarded by two giant robots. Through the Sunshine AI Twin Look photo experience, guests can capture surreal portraits in matching outfits with the robotic dog, blurring the line between fashion, art, and technology.
3. The new top editor at American Vogue
The rumors were true! Chloe Malle was announced to replace Anna Wintour.
4. Addio, Maestro!
One of the most influential fashion designers of our time, Giorgio Armani, passed away yesterday at the age of 91.
#DAFESNewsDigest
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"Never Perfect Enough" by Roman Zimogorskiy
Winner of DAFES CHOICE June 2025 (3rd place)this project speaks of feminism and female rage. It draws on the 1950s suburban ideal of the “Stepford wife”: flawless hairstyle, dazzling smile, and.... no individuality. Curlers become the symbol of this patriarchal pressure — a sacrifice women made every night to meet society’s rigid standards.
The collection is not just an echo of the past but a statement on contemporary female power, challenging historical pressures and shaping a new vision of independence.
Now it’s your turn: apply for the Fashion Brand, Fashion Design, or Fashion Photography and Styling nominations of DAFES AWARDS 2025. Deadline: October 12.
Don’t miss your chance to be seen, celebrated, and become part of the creative community shaping the future of fashion!
#DAFESChoice #DAFESAwards
Winner of DAFES CHOICE June 2025 (3rd place)this project speaks of feminism and female rage. It draws on the 1950s suburban ideal of the “Stepford wife”: flawless hairstyle, dazzling smile, and.... no individuality. Curlers become the symbol of this patriarchal pressure — a sacrifice women made every night to meet society’s rigid standards.
The collection is not just an echo of the past but a statement on contemporary female power, challenging historical pressures and shaping a new vision of independence.
Now it’s your turn: apply for the Fashion Brand, Fashion Design, or Fashion Photography and Styling nominations of DAFES AWARDS 2025. Deadline: October 12.
Don’t miss your chance to be seen, celebrated, and become part of the creative community shaping the future of fashion!
#DAFESChoice #DAFESAwards
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