Designs of the Year 2012 shortlist

Lightwood chair by Jasper Morrison, nominated in Furniture

London's Design Museum has announced the nominees of this year's Designs of the Year awards, which are divided  into seven categories - fashion, product, furniture, architecture, digital, transport and graphic.

The awards celebrate the outstanding projects of the last 12 months, including the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and the London 2012 Velodrome by Hopkins Architects. Read on for the Homebuildlife guide.

Animal studies: the shared space between species

Detail of Duplex by Constance Guisset

As the New York Times reports on the increased interest in Animal Studies courses, we investigate how pet habitats are becoming more integrated with our own, and speak to industrial designer Constance Guisset about how best to share our space.

HBL Book of the Week: Voyage au coeur d'une bulle de champagne

Photo: Beaumont/Liger-Belair/Polidori, via Luxury Culture

Reminding us that champagne is to be drunk year-round, not just at the holidays, this week's book choice is Voyage au coeur d'une bulle de champagne (Travel to the heart of a bottle of champagne), published by Odile Jacob, 2011.

The must-see exhibitions of 2012

© David Hockney, photo by Jonathan Wilkinson

WGSN-homebuildlife rounds up the best exhibitions around the world in 2012 - a taster here includes London colour inspiration provided by David Hockney, an exploration of dust as material in New York, a study of illusion in Paris, and Helsinki's exhibition program during its year as World Design Capital. (Subscribers, read the full report here).

HBL News: Smartphones replacing point-and-shoot cameras

British broadsheet The Guardian reports today that 2011 saw camera sales fall by 30%, as smartphones became the most popular device for taking photographs.

Apple's iPhone 4 has been the most popular way to upload photos to Flickr since summer 2010, and is now used  to upload more than 73,000 photos to the site each day. It may however only be the midmarket that suffers - as "higher quality camera models are booming". Read the full piece here.

Ford Fusion: Live from Detroit Auto Show 2012

Ford Fusion at Detroit Auto Show 2012; photo courtesy of Car Design News

The Ford Fusion (née Mondeo) is the latest step in the company’s One Ford strategy, which sees (virtually) the same products sold across American, European and Asian markets. The new Fusion will replace the existing Fusion in the US, and a slightly tweaked version of what you see here will replace the Mondeo in Europe.

Re-cycle: strategies for architecture, city and planet

Fernando and Humberto Campana

Eighty drawings, models, photographs, videos and objects. Two site-specific installations by Fernando and Humberto Campana and raumlaborberlin. One photographic exhibit, Permanent Error by Pieter Hugo. Not only an exhibition, Re-cycle at Rome's Maxxi Museum aims to teach us to consider recycling as "one of the greatest generators of creative innovation".

HBL Blog of the Week: Colossal

Offering a fresh perspective on the visual arts, Colossal showcases anything from street art and music videos to folded-paper sculptures and sticker-splattered rooms. Web designer and founder Christopher Jobson describes it as "a blog that explores the intersection of art, design, and physical craft". We recommend it for an instant pick-me-up.

Dragon’s Incubator

Dragon's Incubator by David Chan. Image Courtesy of Harbour City, Hong Kong

In an attempt to rediscover, revive and promote Chinese art, culture and values to an international audience, Hong Kong Calligraphy artist David Chan celebrates 2012 - the year of the Dragon under the Chinese Lunar calendar - with a timely exhibition held during Chinese New Year (14 - 29 January).

S/S 13 CMF: Surface innovations

Bloomimg Structures by Sivan Royz

Working alongside the WGSN-homebuildlife team, industrial designer Soojin Kang has taken an in-depth look at new developments of surface and materials to coincide with our spring/summer 2013 macro trends: Idiomatic, The Story of Now and Wonderlab.

Chesapeake Bay Candle: S/S 12 collection preview

The Happiness Collection by Chesapeake Bay Candle

US fragrance brand Chesapeake Bay Candle will launch its spring/summer 2012 range in March. Called the Happiness Collection, the new range comprises six scents - each inspired by a different aspect of happiness and available as either a candle or a diffuser.

Crystallized Project by Tokujin Yoshioka

Tokujin Yoshioka has been crowned now! design à vivre 2012 Creator of the Year by Maison & Objet.

In honour of the accolade, Yoshioka will display a new exhibition called the Crystallized Project at the first Maison & Objet of 2012. The show will include Venus, a crystallized chair, a series of crystal paintings which have been grown using the vibrations of music, and a selection of as yet unshown works.