Designing for a transport future
Recent rebrands from VW, BMW, Nissan and Uber have at times proved controversial, but they reflect the flexibility required by a transport sector that’s in serious flux, says Wolff Olins’ Forest Young
Pentagram’s new project shows the human side of stats during coronavirus
Created by Pentagram’s Giorgia Lupi and her team, Happy Data focuses less on daily death tolls and more on “small but mighty numbers”, spotlighting the inspiring stories that have come out of the pandemic
Lose yourself in Martin Parr and Toiletpaper’s weird and wonderful new book
Full of seductively surreal imagery, the collaborative photobook ToiletMartin PaperParr is just the sort of escapism we need right now
How coronavirus is redefining the magazine cover
From frontline workers turned cover stars to messages of hope, the pandemic has forced publications to rethink their covers in creative new ways. We speak to magCulture’s Jeremy Leslie and the Telegraph’s Kuchar Swara about the role of magazines in our current crisis
The Lowdown: how brand purpose might evolve post-coronavirus
Laura Jordan Bambach, CCO of Grey London, and Michele Oliver, Global Marketing VP at Mars, will be in conversation with CR Editor Eliza Williams about brand purpose on June 3: register to take part now
UsTwo creates a climbing-themed adventure for Facebook Gaming
Created by UsTwo New York, Go Go Bots lets players race to complete a series of bouldering-inspired challenges set in a cyberpunk universe
Latest from CR
How Covid-19 prompted a return of the poster
Creatives around the world have been producing posters in response to the Covid-19 crisis. We take a look at some innovative examples from Leeds, New York and Amsterdam, and explore how posters became an important tool for sharing information and lifting people’s spirits
New BFI campaign brings over 100 years of Japanese cinema to life
The British Film Institute is kicking off its Japan season with a promotional trailer and imagery that channels some of cinema’s most iconic moments into one vision
How Joe Wicks became the nation’s PE teacher
Joe Wicks has inspired millions of people to keep active during lockdowns with his live workout videos. We talk to Nikki Wicks, Head of Content at The Body Coach, and Koto, the studio behind its branding, about creating PE With Joe
How I Work: Michael Lee, Oatly creative director
Oat drink brand Oatly is at the forefront of the plant-based revolution – and it has divided audiences in the process. Creative director Michael Lee talks to us about working in this landscape, building a voice founded upon Swedish humility, and embracing noise
Natasha Jen on being creative during a crisis
For any creatives struggling through current events, Pentagram partner Natasha Jen has some calm words of wisdom – as well as thoughts on how the industry might be different post-coronavirus
Lance Wyman on using lockdown as a time to revisit and reflect
As the designer begins organising his archive, he has been sharing process shots and personal anecdotes with his Instagram followers along the way. Here, Wyman tells CR why our strange new reality is the perfect opportunity to look back at both the good and the bad
Reimagining Normal People for the small screen
As Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel gets a TV adaption, director Lenny Abrahamson discusses the challenges of translating the book’s intense emotions and internal monologues to a visual medium, and rethinking the way teenage relationships are portrayed on screen
Annie Atkins’ pandemic posters come with a twist
From avoiding hairdressing disasters to single-file romantic walks, the designer has created a new series of posters offering some lighthearted lessons for getting through lockdown
“There’s no magic formula”: what makes a show binge-worthy?
Binge-watching TV is now a perfectly acceptable leisure activity. But what makes certain shows so addictive? CR speaks to the people making the hit shows to find out why we love them
How lockdown is helping brands get creative on social
From virtual club nights to live workouts and viral art challenges, national lockdowns have prompted a wave of creative uses of social media. We take a look at some innovative examples and ask if this will have a lasting impact on how we use social platforms
Is short form content finally having its moment?
Film shorts and bitesize content have often been overlooked in favour of Hollywood feature-lengths. We explore whether new platforms and evolving viewer habits mark a new era for short form video
Here We Are: adapting Oliver Jeffers’ children’s book for TV
Jeffers’ illustrated bestseller has been reimagined for the screen in a 30-minute film created by Studio AKA. We talk to director Philip Hunt about the making of the film, and the challenges of adapting a popular picture book
How I Work: Jimmy Turrell
The graphic artist talks to CR about creating enigmatic album art, trawling charity shops for inspiration and putting a contemporary spin on collage
Behind the scenes with a Hollywood casting director
Jennifer Venditti, casting director behind Euphoria, Uncut Gems and Honey Boy, talks to us about finding the right person to convey personal stories, and the balancing act of casting first timers opposite Hollywood stars
The challenges of data visualisation during coronavirus
Data journalist Mona Chalabi and Information Is Beautiful founder David McCandless tell us what it’s been like creating infographics during these uncertain times
How I Work: Ian Pons Jewell
Director Ian Pons Jewell shares his thoughts on becoming adland’s go-to director for everything weird and wonderful, and why he writes back stories for every single character – yes, including Skittles’ yoghurt boy
Cartoonist Tom Gauld on drawing the humour out of science
Ahead of the release of his forthcoming book of New Scientist cartoons, Tom Gauld talks to us about his creative process and why he gets a kick out of the science community
Lou Downe’s guide to good service design
The UK government’s former design director has published a book outlining the fundamental principles of good service design. We talk to Downe about defining what makes a good service – and the reason why so many companies fail to deliver one that works
Can ads restore our trust in the news?
The past few years have seen brands such as the Guardian and the New York Times investing in high-profile ad campaigns focusing on truth and trust in journalism. We explore what’s behind this wave of purpose-driven advertising
How a huge Minecraft library is fighting global censorship
The Uncensored Library is an enormous Minecraft build that’s allowing people from across the globe to safely access banned articles
The truth about racism in the UK
In December, grime artist Stormzy caused a media frenzy by pointing out the UK’s racism. Here, Jude Yawson, co-author with Stormzy on his book Rise Up, calls out the hypocrisy that exists in UK media and explains why we urgently need wider representation in our culture
Should you always love your job?
When it comes to work, it’s often a complicated relationship. CR investigates how you know when the spark of love for your job is gone, and what it takes to get the magic back
Using illustration in branding: a how to
Whether you’re tackling a difficult subject or keen to inject life into a brand, illustration is a powerful way to communicate. We delve into the dos and don’ts of incorporating it into branding
A brief encounter with Ai Weiwei
Artist Ai Weiwei brought his usual frank honesty plus insights on art, politics and life to a recent press conference to promote his collaboration with DIY brand Hornbach. CR editor Eliza Williams was there to bear witness
Illustrator Hagen Schönfeld’s pleasing compositions
The illustrator adopts a colourful, graphic approach for the album covers, posters and promo materials he creates for a range of clients in the music scene
The Fifth
How influencers can help brands create positive content during Covid-19
Influencers have been quick to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, providing help, advice and entertainment to audiences at home. Here, The Fifth explores how creators can help brands tell their stories and connect with consumers
Italian branches of Burger King introduce the Social Distancing Whopper
As Italy begins to emerge from lockdown, Burger King has introduced a new version of its classic burger, with extra onions to aid social distancing
New animation series offers advice for ‘families under pressure’ during lockdown
Created by Toad creative studio, the films were commissioned by King’s College London and NHS Maudsley Hospital and offer simple parenting advice for those who might be struggling
Oslo’s Edvard Munch museum unveils its backwards-slanting identity
North’s visual identity for Munch references the museum’s sloping architecture, which was in turn inspired by a photo of the artist painting semi-naked
Why culture matters, now more than ever
The culture of your agency or studio stretches far beyond fancy decor, ping pong tables or DJs in the foyer, says leadership coach Tanya Livesey. And it can prove vital in how businesses navigate the difficult times we are in
New Nike spot parallels sports resilience and hope with our challenging times
Titled Never Too Far Down, the LeBron James-narrated spot features epic sports comeback stories to offer hope and inspiration
What we can learn from New Zealand’s Covid-19 messaging
New Zealand has been leading the way in the fight against coronavirus with its simple but powerful communications strategy, which focuses on bringing its people together. We look at how it got the rhetoric so right, and whether countries like the UK should be following its example
Chloe Cushman’s striking illustrations are filled with nuance
The Toronto-based illustrator discusses how writing and literature have informed her practice, why illustration is as much about ideas as rendering, and why she “just can’t turn down a good face” when approached for portrait commissions
Bill Posters creates deepfake music video for Lil Uzi Vert
The video, for track Whassup, aims to parody life under lockdown and ‘stars’ celebrities from Donald Trump to Rihanna, Elon Musk to Oprah Winfrey, before even the Queen pops in to say hi
TikTok
Creativity on TikTok: What the world’s most downloaded video app offers brands
In the first part of our partner content series, which will reveal the reasons why TikTok needs to be in brands’ marketing plans, we look at the key information you need to know about what the platform does, what sets it apart and what ad formats you can already buy today
The role of museums during the pandemic
One way that museums have been acknowledging the monumental impact of Covid-19 is through collecting the creative work that’s been made during this time. CR speaks to the institutions making it happen
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: WWF’s Black Friday Twist
The wildlife charity put a new spin on Black Friday sales promotions, with a series of Facebook ads urging consumers to adopt animals which are endangered or at risk
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
On Brief: Help Refugees x Luis Mazon
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 Luis Mazon’s work for Help Refugees
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
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
