Once a source of fascination for conceptually oriented designers, ugly aesthetics have entered the mainstream, with both brands and consumers championing the bizarre, gross, and impractical. How have minimalism, global politics, and a desire for self-expression fuelled this appreciation?

The simple, uncluttered aesthetic of minimalism has become the de rigueur for interiors around the world, with brands such as IKEA appealing to consumers who want functional, simple and stylish pieces. So how did minimalism rise to such predominance and have people finally had enough of it?

Social media platforms are awash with images of Brutalist architecture and neon signs, but what makes people post certain places and not others? Canvas8 spoke to Scott Valentine, the director of Valé Architects, to understand how and why brands are making spaces more ‘Instagrammable’.

As eco-conscious shoppers put pressure on brands to be sustainable, what can they learn from nature? Canvas8 spoke to Michael Pawlyn, founding director of Exploration Architecture and Nudgestock speaker, to find out how biomimicry can solve some of the world’s material problems.