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
The killing of George Floyd has prompted demonstrations across the world and an outpouring of anger from across the creative industries against racism. Here, we collate some of the most powerful resources and responses
As part of The Lowdown, a new series of content from Xeim’s brands, CR’s editor Eliza Williams was in conversation with Grey London CCO Laura Jordan Bambach and Michele Oliver, Global Marketing VP at Mars. You can listen to their chat here
As brands and agencies get to grips with the new reality of producing ads in lockdown, CR investigates the challenge of homemade advertising and the ways it might change the industry in the long run
The BFI and Bloomsbury have teamed up for the relaunch of the BFI Film Classics book series, which features reimagined covers honouring iconic movies including 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Big Lebowski and Spirited Away
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The graphic artist talks to CR about creating enigmatic album art, trawling charity shops for inspiration and putting a contemporary spin on collage
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
Data journalist Mona Chalabi and Information Is Beautiful founder David McCandless tell us what it’s been like creating infographics during these uncertain times
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
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
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
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
The Uncensored Library is an enormous Minecraft build that’s allowing people from across the globe to safely access banned articles
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
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
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
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
As lockdown begins to slowly lift, companies are considering how our working life will adapt. Here, James Britton, group managing director at Stink Studios in London, examines how our enforced WFH period may create permanent change, and what might be lost along the way
Following a national callout for submissions, The Nationwide Degree Show has selected work from 23 graduates to appear on outdoor ad sites in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol
FutureBrand has overhauled Coutts’ visual identity, replacing its “unapproachable” image with branding that emphasises its family and historical roots
CR investigates what it takes to create a good chatbot, and why they could become an essential part of brand comms in our current culture of immediacy
The Worm’s final chapter will cover the iconic logotype’s latest venture to the International Space Station, nearly 20 years after it was retired as the official emblem
Just starting out in his career, Janik Söllner has already built a tidy list of clients with his angular yet endearing characters
Created by UsTwo New York, Go Go Bots lets players race to complete a series of bouldering-inspired challenges set in a cyberpunk universe
Full of seductively surreal imagery, the collaborative photobook ToiletMartin PaperParr is just the sort of escapism we need right now
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
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
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
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 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
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
The optician chain used AR to illustrate the effects of common eye conditions in a campaign to promote free eye tests
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
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
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
Made for Instagram Stories, the video for Mark Ronson’s track Pieces of Us combines vertical creative with playful stickers and AR effects
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
