Beavertown Brewery on building a craft beer brand
Beavertown Brewery creative director Nick Dwyer tells CR about the artful chaos that drives the craft beer brand, and how it’s built its identity on “spacemen, skeletons, skulls and weird shit exploding”
Serena Brown’s images celebrate overlooked stories and everyday beauty
The photographer’s subjects are at the heart of each of her images, and she puts an emphasis on the natural, the everyday and people with stories to tell
Say goodbye to useless brand guidelines
The duo behind enduringly popular publisher Standards Manual are launching a new tool designed to make creating and following brand guidelines less of a headache
Should more graphic designers design buildings?
Fresh from designing their own building in Amsterdam, Thonik’s Nikki Gonnissen and Thomas Widdershoven discuss what sets graphic designers apart from architects and what that could mean for a more collaborative future
What Would I Change
While lockdown has brought huge disruption to our lives, it has offered the chance for reflection. Here, we speak to creatives about the ways they’d like to change their industries for the better
Latest from CR
40 creative moments that changed culture
No major magazine birthday is complete without a list, so as part of Creative Review’s 40th celebrations, we’ve picked out 40 significant moments from across both high and low culture that we feel have shaped the work that is produced by our audience today
Vogue Italia’s new issue swaps cover stars for children’s drawings
Following on from its blank white cover that arrived as the world began to lockdown, Vogue Italia’s new issue is both dedicated to and designed by children all over the world
Mr Bingo on using humour to get through the pandemic
Known for his funny and sometimes cynical drawings, here Mr Bingo discusses people’s appetite for humour during this time and how he uses social media to test the waters
The visual evolution of Run The Jewels
As Killer Mike and El-P release their fourth album as rap duo Run The Jewels, we speak to long-time collaborators Tim Saccenti and Nicholas Gazin about how the band’s ‘stick-up’ hands logo has become one of the music world’s most recognisable emblems
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
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
How I Got Here: Shelley Smoler, Droga5
Droga5’s newly appointed executive creative director Shelley Smoler talks to us about how growing up in South Africa shapes her work, tapping into culture, and learning the importance of bravery in advertising
How Abba and Beyoncé can help you write
Creative inspiration can come from many sources: sometimes it’s best to look far outside your field for new methods of working, writes CR’s ad correspondent Ben Kay
Paul Peter Piech’s literary linocuts are on display in Wales
A new exhibition at the National Library of Wales is celebrating the work of artist and designer Paul Peter Piech, whose linocut posters depict literary heroes including Katherine Mansfield, Emily Brontë and Ted Hughes
Beer brand Caravelle gets a graphic facelift
Barcelona studio Hey created new packaging for the craft beer range, which makes playful use of geometric patterns and fluid shapes
Masked illustrations are welcoming shoppers back to Europe’s malls
Face masks feature heavily in this campaign by Sid Lee Paris, which uses cheerful illustration to mark the reopening of Europe’s shopping centres
Burberry embraces social media for new retail concept
The luxury brand’s new store in Shenzhen, China brings social media ever closer to the retail world with a virtual experience for shoppers both at home and in-store
How art is helping cities and towns recover from Covid-19
Towns and cities are using art and design to add a much-needed shot of positivity and optimism into city centres as they cautiously reopen for business
Verizon Media
5G and the future of content
Verizon Media’s in-house production studio has been working with brands and entertainment companies to explore the creative potential of 5G. We talk to Senior Director Geoff Goodwin about how companies can use 5G to create richer and more immersive content
Nike’s split screen ad is an epic ode to togetherness
Editors sifted through thousands of clips to create Nike’s You Can’t Stop Us, which celebrates the unifying power of sport
Why it’s time to decolonise the creative industries
The cultural canon has been the subject of recurring debate over the years, but has taken on new significance in light of recent events. CR speaks to publisher Sold Out and photo editor and LISTO founder Sara Urbaez about why decolonisation should be a movement, not a moment
Ai Weiwei examines the magnitude of warfare in explosive artwork
The artist has worked on a new site-specific work for the Imperial War Museum that exposes the scale and history of conflict through the medium of bombs
Time for change
The Black Lives Matter movement has led to a shake-up of some design’s oldest organisations and clubs. Such change is long overdue, writes Patrick Burgoyne
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
On Brief: Museum of Happiness x Hannah Jacobs
Our On Brief project pairs creative talent with startups, non-profits and community groups to create scroll-stopping visuals for Facebook and Instagram. Here we take a look at Hannah Jacobs’ collaboration with Museum of Happiness
In partnership with Facebook & Instagram
Great Work: Defected Records’ virtual music festival
The house label surprised dance music fans with a series of live streams – starting with a 12-hour performance broadcast from Ministry of Sound
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
