Trends of 2019
The end of 2019 is nigh, and it’s time to look back. Here we examine the biggest trends of the year across tech, social, music, photography, film & TV, advertising, branding and more. Image: Cold War Steve
A tasty new look for edible insect brand Crunchy Critters
Created by Sherlock Studio, the new branding comes amid shifting public attitudes towards insects as a high-protein and, crucially, appetising snack alternative
Ben Kay on why you should start your own agency
Our advertising correspondent, Ben Kay, has recently launched his own agency, Invincible Unicorn. Here, he takes us through his experiences so far, both positive and negative
Grand Bassin captures the colourful characters seen around the pool
The animation, created by four graduates, is an invitation to observe the day-to-day goings on at a public swimming bath and also features a runaway toupee
The Conversation Issue
The latest issue of Creative Review is all about seeing things in a new light. We’ve brought together artists, designers and even figures in politics for a range of conversations on the pressing issues of today
The Annual 2020
The CR Annual is one of the most respected and trusted awards for the creative industries – we celebrate the best creative work of the year, as well its creators and commissioners
Print is dead heavy
Enjoy six heavyweight print issues a year, including The Annual and The Photography Annual, when you subscribe to CR. Always tip your postman.
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Vertical video: creative tips from Intermission Film
Our new video series, created in partnership with Facebook and Instagram, explores the art of vertical storytelling. Here we talk to London agency Intermission Film about creating compelling teasers and adapting cinema content for mobile screens
Martin Andersen captures the energy of Spurs fans on match day
Andersen’s new photo book Can’t Smile Without You documents the crowds, conflicts and camaraderie during Spurs’ final few seasons at White Hart Lane
An oral history of Comic Sans
Comic Sans occupies a dubious position in the design community, but there’s no denying its place in visual culture. CR sat down with creator Vincent Connare to discuss the rebellion that drove Microsoft in the 90s, and his thoughts on making the world’s most disputed typeface
Trends of the Year: Creativity and Tech
It’s been a jittery year in tech. As we discovered more about the insidious ways that technologies track us, questions of ethics abounded. But there was the odd fun moment too in amongst the gloom
Book covers of the year 2019
Mark Sinclair, Senior Editor at Unit Editions, takes us through the year in book covers, spotting trends for 2019 plus highlighting his picks for the ten best covers of the year
Movie posters of the year 2019
It’s been another glorious year for movie posters, which has seen illustration in particular rise to the fore. Here, CR’s design correspondent Daniel Benneworth-Gray picks his ten favourites of 2019
Aubrey Powell and Johnson Banks team up for bumper Pink Floyd box set
There’s 18 discs in the new collection, entitled The Later Years, which brings together the last three decades of the band – including albums, unreleased tracks and live recordings
The legacy of Life magazine’s images celebrated in new show
The first magazine to pioneer the concept of photography-led stories, a new exhibition showcases some of Life’s most iconic photographs from its archive
Trends of 2019: Film and TV
We look back at another year that had us all glued to our screens, from the sheer brilliance of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag to Netflix’s latest foray into cinema with Scorsese gangster epic The Irishman
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: Specsavers, Don’t Lose the Picture
The optician chain used AR to illustrate the effects of common eye conditions in a campaign to promote free eye tests
Classic Blue is Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2020
After a tumultuous end to the decade, Pantone is hoping to usher in the new year with an air of calm, carrying the theme across all five senses for the first time
Anthony White’s new show flips consumerism on its head
The Seattle-based artist uses common plastics to form his meticulously woven creations, which tell colourful tales of gluttony and excess
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Charlotte May on her vibrant still lifes
Our New Talent series highlights visual creatives who are sharing great work on Facebook and Instagram. Here we talk to photographer Charlotte May about her colourful images
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
On Brief: Freddie’s Flowers x Charlotte May
Our On Brief initiative pairs emerging talent with startups, charities and community groups to create scroll-stopping visuals for Facebook and Instagram. Here we take a look at Charlotte May’s work for Freddie’s Flowers
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Oliver Sin on his playful animations
Our New Talent series highlights visual creatives who are sharing great work on Facebook and Instagram. Here we talk to Cheltenham-based animator and former designer Oliver Sin about his work
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: Mark Ronson’s interactive music video
Made for Instagram Stories, the video for Mark Ronson’s track Pieces of Us combines vertical creative with playful stickers and AR effects
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
On Brief: Yes Tribe x Oliver Sin
Our On Brief project pairs emerging creative talent with startups, non-profits and community groups to produce scroll-stopping visuals for Facebook and Instagram. Here we take a look at Oliver Sin’s animations for Yes Tribe
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: Time to Change’s mental health Messenger bot
Talking about mental health can be daunting – but Ogilvy & Mather and Facebook Creative Shop’s Messenger bot for Time to Change aims to make the process a little easier
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: Farfetch, The World Through Fashion
Farfetch created a wealth of Instagram content to promote its new initiative, Farfetch Communities, which allows shoppers to browse curated edits from a global community of creatives, including Adwoa Aboah and Riz Ahmed
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: KFC’s KFChill
Mother combined mindfulness and gravy in its January campaign for KFC, leading to news headlines and an appearance on a well-known US talk show. We talk to Mother’s ECD Hermeti Balarin and Digital Strategy Director Vairi MacLennan about the project
