It’s freezing out there, baby 🥶

Design lovers, welcome to the 15th edition!

November has rolled in with its frosty vibes, but here, we turn the cold into creative fuel. This edition is brimming with sharp ideas, deep-dive design analyses, and a few gems to inspire and maybe provoke your next big move.

So, grab a blanket, but keep your curiosity wide awake. Ready to dive into bold, boundary-pushing design?

1. WHAT'S UP!

🙃 A smile to chill your spine

If marketing bores you, it’s because you haven’t seen what Paramount cooked up for Smile 2. Their website doesn’t just invite you to watch—it dares you. Smile at your webcam to unlock the first seven minutes of the film. Any break? The video cuts with a haunting message: Keep Smiling.

And the design? It’s nothing short of sinister brilliance. This isn’t just a user interface; it’s a psychological trap. It balances stark minimalism with psychological unease. A dark palette, subtle animations, and slow transitions work together to build an eerie atmosphere.

The real kicker? This campaign doesn’t just promote a movie—it embodies it. The UX is the narrative. It grabs you by the emotions, turning a marketing gimmick into a spine-tingling, unforgettable design masterstroke.

🕯️A whiff of biscuits (and chicken)

KFC doesn’t just fry chicken anymore—they scent your living room. Teaming up with Homesick Candles, they’ve released scents like Bucket of Chicken and Buttery Biscuit. Yes, you read that right.

This is olfactory design at its boldest. By translating brand identity into aroma, KFC taps into the sensory realm, connecting memory and emotion. Even the candle packaging—clean, nostalgic, daring—turns a simple product into an experience.

It’s not just about selling. It’s about infiltrating senses, memories, and spaces. In this design story, the air you breathe becomes a stage for brand identity.

Discover how enhancing your brand experience through design can help you go beyond simply selling products and present your brand in a unique way ⤵️

2. HOT AND TRENDY

❄️ Snowflakes on your plate

Barilla Group decided Christmas isn’t just for decorations—it’s for dinner, too. Snowfall Pasta transforms festive shapes into delicious design with flake, star, and heart motifs.

But this isn’t just cute. Each shape is engineered for consistent cooking, proving that aesthetics and functionality can share the same plate. And the packaging? Minimalist with frosty whites and festive gold accents—an elegant ode to the season.

Holiday pasta that’s stylish and technically spot-on? That’s a recipe for design brilliance.

✨ 1990s icon

The Nintendo 64 is making a comeback in 2025, but not as you remember it. Thanks to Analogue , this 90s icon is reborn with 4K resolution and HDMI connectivity. It’s not a simple reboot, it’s a love letter to retro gaming with a modern twist.

The industrial design strikes a careful balance between nostalgia and innovation. Familiar curves meet elevated materials and refined finishes. Even the controller stays true to its roots, with added tech for smoother gameplay.

It’s a masterclass in honoring the past while embracing the future—a timeless console, reimagined.

3. UNLEASH THE FUTURE

🛵 Solar scooting

When sustainability meets style, you get Lightfoot. This compact scooter by Otherlab draws inspiration from Vespa and the iconic Volkswagen bus, blending vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge tech.

What makes it truly shine (literally)? Integrated solar panels that capture the sun’s energy, extending your ride with every ray. And the design? Pure eye candy: a 45-liter side-access storage compartment, smooth retro curves, and a color palette that oozes nostalgic cool.

It’s the ultimate proof that eco-design doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty, function, or personality.

4. CHANGEMARKERS

⚡️Jaguar rewrites its roar

The iconic leaping Jaguar is gone. In its place? Two inverted "J"s encased in a circle. Jaguar’s shift to a fully electric future comes with a minimalist, geometric logo that’s already sparking debate.

Gone are the chrome finishes and dynamic leaps. In their stead: a flat, futuristic aesthetic that feels calculated and precise. The typography leans clinical, while the bold new color palette swaps timeless sophistication for youthful, fashion-forward vibrancy.

This rebrand is a daring gamble—a clear play for a younger, trend-savvy audience. Some applaud the audacity; others lament the loss of Jaguar’s classic elegance. But here’s the question prowling in the background: can a brand shed its skin, rewrite its visual DNA, and still remain true to its essence?

5. BEYOND BOUNDARIES

🎄 Real Magic AI

To reimagine its iconic Holidays Are Coming ad, The Coca-Cola Company turned to AI.

Snowy landscapes? Check. Twinkling lights? Check. Santa Claus? Missing.

The result? A sleek, modernized twist on nostalgia, featuring more diverse characters and a focus on Coke Zero Sugar. But it landed with a thud. Critics quickly labeled it "kitschy" and "soulless," underscoring the tension between tech and emotion in design.

This initiative raises a critical question: in a world of algorithms and pixels, can creativity still forge the authentic connections that truly resonate with people? Or are we at risk of losing the heart in the pursuit of innovation?

Discover our article on artificial intelligence in design ⤵️

☎️ Want to keep the design discussion going or share feedback on this newsletter? Let's get in touch!