The search for a voice
Designer Michael Johnson of johnson banks, looks back at his recent visit to India, where he found a design scene that is beginning to reflect the country’s unique and rich visual language…
Flexible identity systems: all played out?
Once, identity systems were fixed, consistent and rigidly policed. So-called ‘flexible’ identities have changed all that, as Michael Johnson documents here. But, he asks, have they too now reached the end of the line?
What’s in a name? Just about everything
‘Action’ on this, ‘beating’ that: in their naming and branding, charities are becoming much clearer about what they do and why. Michael Johnson of johnson banks charts the development of this new, ‘active’ approach in the sector
The ID crowd gets a brand new conference
In taking their identity design blog onto the stage, Brand New gave the platform over to the designers. But would the commentary prove as fiery?
The unbeautiful logo
I recently watched a video clip of the Oasis guitarist, Noel Gallagher, talking about “his favourite world cup moments”, writes Michael Johnson. Somewhat surprisingly, his first thoughts about the 1978 tournament were about the logo
The everyday airbrush we take for granted
Photoshop is 20, but has the creative industry gained, or lost, from its ubiquity?
Decision time for the RCA
This week is an important one for the future of graphic design in the UK, writes Michael Johnson, as the RCA interviews candidates to run its Communication Art and Design course. But with CA&D a decade old, has Art proved too much of a distraction from Design?
Oh, London
The Mayor of London, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that the city needs re-branding. In just seven weeks. And there’s no pitch fee…
Showing off used to be so straightforward
The nature of the graduate degree show is changing – but for whose benefit? asks Michael Johnson
Me, myself and I
Why do graphic designers find themselves so fascinating?
Michael Johnson investigates the new wave of ‘me-projects’
A new campaign spells out the reality of the sewage crisis
AMV BBDO’s campaign for COPI shines a light on sewage spills in UK waterways with the help of a faecal-inspired font
Adam Morse on his journey to directing
Since losing his sight at the age of 19, the filmmaker has gone on to write and direct his first feature film, shoot a Super Bowl ad for Google, and set up a non-profit to help the next generation of disabled creative talent
Creativity Sucks! podcast returns with an episode on humour
We ease you gently into the fourth series of Creative Review’s podcast with a discussion on humour in advertising, looking at what works and what doesn’t
How accessible wayfinding is going beyond the visual
Speaking to experts in architecture and design, CR looks into how accessible wayfinding has improved by subtly tapping into other senses, and what it needs to do to be truly inclusive
The Monthly Interview: Glenn Kitson
In the first of a new interview series, Anna Higgs talks to Glenn Kitson about combining a career as an ad director with being a ‘meme lord’, and his strategies to stay centred and fresh in a world which can often just want more of the same
Loewe’s brand film finally explains how to pronounce its name
Aubrey Plaza stars in a spelling bee contest through the ages as part of a new short from Loewe, which addresses the long-standing confusion over how to pronounce the fashion brand’s name
What happened to NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens experienced a gold rush a couple of years ago, before mainstream interest waned and the market went into decline. Artist Robert Alice, who has edited an extensive new book on NFTs, talks to us about one of the most elusive, and divisive, web3 developments
Dawn Baillie’s famous movie posters go on display
The Anatomy of a Movie Poster exhibition brings together the award-winning designer’s portfolio of posters for films including The Silence of the Lambs, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Grand Budapest Hotel
Why brand language matters
Opening Line founder Zosia Swidlicka discusses why the world of brand language remains so misunderstood, and how it inspired her to create her new publication Between the Lines
Tracing the influence of prolific art director Alexey Brodovitch
An exhibition and accompanying monograph sheds light on the work of the photographer, designer and art director, who transformed the pages of Harper’s Bazaar over nearly a quarter of a century
From advertising to Hollywood and back again
It’s easy to assume that making the leap into movies is the holy grail for those in advertising, but the path between the two industries is far from one way
How to bring online fandom into the real world
Shifting online success into the real world requires a delicate balance of staying authentic to the digital community while allowing space for others to join, says Paul Tynan, creative director at I-Am