1. Borderline genius.

Switzerland. Land of mountains, chocolate, and now the world’s most psychedelic passport. Tasked with a redesign, Geneva-based studio RETINAA turned the traditionally dull travel document into a trippy design adventure. The cover sticks to Switzerland’s signature red minimalism (no need to alarm customs agents), but inside, it’s a maximalist explosion. Abstract technicolor watermarks and geometric patterns layer over naturalistic illustrations. Apparently, white space is passé.

But the real magic happens under UV light, revealing hidden topography and architectural landmarks like a high-security art show. The centerpiece is Pizzo Rotondo, surrounded by hydrological maps tracking global water movements. Of course, it’s all clever security theater; those glowing elements deter forgeries. But leave it to the Swiss to make an anti-counterfeiting measure feel like an immersive exhibit.

2. The most remote font in the world.

Finnish design studio BOND has taken the concept of "found typography" to absurd new heights by turning islands into letters. When tasked with creating a visual identity for Saaristo, Finland's sprawling archipelago of 40,000 islands, they spent days obsessively combing through Google Maps to find island shapes that resembled letters of the alphabet. Their quest wasn't without drama; one "letter island" mysteriously disappeared, prompting a frantic two-day search across countless digital maps before being rediscovered.

The design team took their research seriously, venturing to the archipelago in late October with just six hours of daylight and weather that changed "every five minutes," capturing imagery that would inform the overall identity. They even created playful sub-brands for activities like sailing and sea-swimming. The result is a wild-hearted identity as distinctive as the place itself - proving that sometimes you need to get absolutely lost to find your way to brilliant design.

3. The Brutalist, now pocket-sized.

A24 has once again cemented its reign as the king of film merch with its latest collectible: The Brutalist Scale Model. This 1:500 zinc-cast replica of László Tóth's fictional Margaret Lee Van Buren Center joins A24’s ever-growing cabinet of curiosities: from Midsommar’s May Queen tree topper to Everything Everywhere All At Once hot dog finger gloves (a guaranteed texting nightmare).

This three-part miniature marvel unveils its intricate interior, making it the perfect flex for film buffs who have everything, except a tiny concrete masterpiece, of course. While other studios churn out basic t-shirts and mugs, A24 turns its films into tangible trophies of taste. Expect The Brutalist Scale Model to dominate hipster bookshelves sparking the inevitable question: “Wait, is that from that movie about the angry architect?” To which you can smugly reply, “Actually, it’s a meditation on postwar creative expression” while knowing full well you just thought it looked cool.