When you think of libraries, it’s rare that architecture and interior design are the first things that spring to mind, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not often quite spectacular. Photographer Thibaud Poirier has travelled around Europe discovering some of the most amazing examples of this, including the Trinity College Library in Dublin, and the Stadtbibliothek in Stuttgart. All 25 libraries were captured at a time when they were empty to emphasise the beauty of their structures. Find out more here ... http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/06/enchanting-libraries-by-photographer-thibaud-poirier/

London-based conceptual jewellery designer Katrin Spranger believes that materials such as oil, water or even honey can be more precious than traditional metals.  In her concept of a dystopian future, the substances we take for granted today may ultimately become scarce and ‘as precious as gold or diamonds’. She combines her unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets with glass, gold, silver and even plastic to emphasize global issues such as pollution and waste. Take a look at her collection and interview with MaterialDriven.

For the 285 million, visually impaired people worldwide, our current digital capabilities have not done enough. However, KWSP have started the process of designing a desktop printer capable of printing braille at low cost. In partnership with Horizon 2020 SME Instrument, an EU research programme, KWSP hope to release the first pre-production model before the end of the year. The UK engineering firm describe current methods of producing braille as "analogue, inflexible and not on-demand to users", and are aiming for their printer to have similar operating costs to a standard laser printer.

You might not have heard of Tom Gauld, but you will definitely recognise the comic strips that made you smile every time you flicked through The Guardian, New Scientist and The NY Times. For the latter, Gauld just created the annual ‘New York’ special edition. He drew all the ‘non-feature’ pages in his own hand – the contents, editor’s letter, contributors’ page, and even the puzzles using a typeface based on his own handwriting. In September, the Scottish illustrator will publish his new book – a collection of his cartoons called ‘Baking with Kafka’. We can’t wait to find out the secret behind his lemon drizzle cake! 

Over the last few years we’ve seen the craft and artistry that goes into brewing original craft beers mirrored in some of the stunning design work that’s been created for their labels. Digital Arts have selected their favourites… go check them out here http://www.digitalartsonline.c...