Design

Mountain roads aren’t built very often because they’re costly and complicated. WSJ traveled to Colorado, where a structural engineer walked through the process of designing steep inclines and sharp turns in places like the Rocky Mountains. Photo: Amber Bragdon

John Steinbeck used one to write “The Grapes of Wrath” and a Disney animator was buried with one. Blackwing pencils gained a coveted status among creatives for their speed and smoothness. Here’s why they almost went extinct and what it took to bring them back. Photo: Adam Falk

Venice spent about $6 billion on a mobile floodgate system that can block high tides from inundating the city. But it won’t be enough. WSJ explores potential solutions to protect the “floating city” from being overrun by water. Photo illustration: MacKenzie Coffman

Pantone, known for its color-of-the-year announcement, doesn’t actually sell paints or colors. So how does it make money? WSJ visited the company’s factory to learn how it revolutionized printing and monetized color. Illustration: Preston Jessee

Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 will become the second tallest skyscraper in the world in 2024. An elevator engineer expert breaks down what’s involved in designing an elevator system that meets people’s expectations while also balancing cost and space. Photo illustration: MacKenzie Coffman