DAFES | Design, Art, Fashion, Education & Startups

WEEK NEWS DIGEST

"The Comedian" Artwork Was Eaten Again
Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic artwork continues to provoke... and disappear. This week at the Pompidou-Metz Center, a visitor ate the banana. It was swiftly replaced according to the artist’s instructions. The edible performance lives on!

The Sims Board Game Is Coming
The legendary digital simulation "The Sims" is stepping off the screen to celebrate its 25th anniversary! This fall Maxis is releasing a board game version, bringing its clean interface aesthetics and sandbox logic into the analog world. A fascinating moment for game design!

Notre-Dame Gets Its Digital Twin
Microsoft, in collaboration with Iconem and the French Ministry of Culture, is building a digital replica of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. They claim that the virtual model will be accurate to within a centimeter. This initiative is about supporting preservation, research, and global access — a bold step for tech in heritage.

#DAFESNewsDigest

DAFES CHOICE — MAY 2025

First Place: "Eisner" font by Emili Mihaylenko
This standout typeface was chosen for its thoughtful blend of historical reference and digital craftsmanship. Here’s how Emili describes it:
“Eisner is a modern text font based on the principles of broad-pointed pen writing used in Gothic and Renaissance periods in Europe. The shapes familiar to modern readers are arranged as if they were created by a medieval master using digital tools.”

A perfect example of how typography can merge tradition and technology — becoming a form of visual storytelling.

Submit your work via Deziiign.com and become the next DAFES CHOICE winner!

#DAFESChoice

Pinterest for Designers
Pinterest is more than a mood board — it’s a powerful search engine for visual discovery. For creatives, it offers a rare combination of visibility, longevity, and community. If you're a designer, now is the time to ensure your presence is polished and professional.

Use these tips to stand out:
- Your account should be SEO-friendly: optimise your bio and use keywords in your pins;
- Add links to your website or portfolio;
- Create visually striking posts, and don't forget about videos;
- Engage with the community: pin regularly, join group boards, and collaborate with others.

DAFES has compiled the currently trending keywords — check out the slides!

Pinterest doesn’t just promote your work — it archives it in the global visual library of the internet. Make your ideas easy to find!

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MASTERS OF THE MEDIUM: DAVID HOCKNEY

David Hockney (1937) is a living legend who shaped the visual language of the 20th and 21st centuries. Known for his bold use of colour, light, and tech, he still paints daily — even in his late eighties.

Born in Bradford, England, Hockney relocated to the sun-soaked Los Angeles of the 1960s, and it sparked his most iconic swimming pool series — vibrant studies of light, joy, and freedom.

Portraiture, especially of pairs, became central to his work, capturing subtle emotional tensions.

From Polaroid mosaics (joiners) to iPad drawings, Hockney constantly reinvents his tools, proving artistry lies not in the medium, but in the eye.

On the cover: David Hockney with his self-portrait “Play within a Play within a Play, and Me with a Cigarette”, 2024–2025

#DAFESLearning

Meet Belka — a flying robot designed to perform routine tasks aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This compact assistant blends friendly ergonomics with advanced tech, and complete autonomy in zero-gravity mode. The Ground Control Interface offers real-time dashboards, monitoring, video logging, and mission reports for Earth-based operators.

Belka's key features:
— Soft outer elements for safety;
— Main functions controlled via touchscreen, with mechanical backups for reliability;
— Built with 3D printing using certified materials for space;
— Equipped with BelkaOS, an intuitive system inspired by mobile OS logic, minimizing the learning process.

Developed since 2023, Belka is scheduled to launch in early 2027.

Want to be featured next?
Upload your project to deziiign.com for a chance to be selected in the DAFES CHOICE nomination!

#DAFESCHOICE #DAFESNewsDigest #DAFESTalents

WEEKEND WATCH RECOMMENDATION

This weekend, we recommend watching the documentary Helvetica — a film that dives deep into the most iconic typeface of the 20th century.

At first glance, a documentary about typography may not sound very entertaining. But Helvetica defies expectations: it is full of insightful interviews with renowned designers, elegant visuals, and interesting facts about the design history.

The film explores how Helvetica cleaned up the visual clutter of the 1950s — replacing chaotic handwritten signs and crammed cursive with structured, balanced forms. It’s a thoughtful examination of how something as seemingly “invisible” as a font can influence culture, commerce, and communication.

From subway signage to corporate logos, Helvetica is everywhere — and this film shows us why.

#WeekendRecommendation

WEEK NEWS DIGEST
This week, the fashion world has been shaken by a trio of scandals that spark urgent questions about cultural appropriation, labour ethics, and the counterfeit market:

1. Prada vs. Indian Heritage
Prada drew criticism from Indian artisans and officials after showing footwear resembling Kolhapuri sandals (traditional Indian shoes) during their recent show in Milan. The brand acknowledged its references and has now promised a collaboration with Indian craftsmen.

2. Loro Piana’s Labour Scandal
Known for its luxury cashmere and commitment to quality and craft, Loro Piana is now under investigation in Italy. Prosecutors claim that its garments were produced in illegal workshops near Milan by underpaid Chinese workers.

3. ‘Superfakes’
The Wall Street Journal unveiled a growing black market of hyperrealistic fake Hermes and LV handbags, sold via messengers. The quality is so high that a fake bag can only be distinguished from the original ones by X-ray!

#DAFESNewsDigest