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
The Photography Annual 2019 is out now
In this year’s Photography Annual, we’re celebrating image-making across personal, editorial, advertising, stock and student projects, along with six exciting photographers who enjoyed a breakthrough year
Drawings of People with Signs: a zine that does exactly what it says
In Erlend Peder Kvam’s zine, his hand-drawn characters use simple signs to express their opinions about themselves and the world
Daniel Benneworth-Gray goes on a low-budget journey
Faced with tiny budgets for imagery for use in his work, our design correspondent Daniel Benneworth-Gray has found a treasure trove on Flickr Commons. If you have the time to look
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 Quentin Jones
Our new video series, created in partnership with Facebook and Instagram, explores the art of vertical storytelling. Here we talk to director Quentin Jones about creating playful content for Stories and adapting her work for different formats
The Year in Music
As society’s tensions with technology and identity continue to rage, figures in the music industry tackled them with an open mind, making 2019 a year of great complexity but even greater creativity
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
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
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
Ask Anna: Can I be a manager and still be creative?
The shift into management is often difficult, but it holds particular concerns for those in the creative industries, who may mourn the hands-on role they once had. Here, CR’s agony aunt Anna Higgs offers advice on handling the transition
Thinh Nguyen explores loneliness and rejection in his kooky animation
In Tom Has a Plant, Thinh Nguyen’s graduation film, the title character tries to give plants away to those he cares about but things don’t go quite to plan
Trends of the Year: Creativity and Activism
It was a turbulent year in politics and activism this year, as we saw mass protests around climate change, and also increased discussion around diversity and equal pay. Here’s a round-up of the key points for the creative industries
The best record sleeves of 2019
Our favourite album covers from the past 12 months include powerful portraits, surreal collage and experiments with screen printing – spanning genres from grime to rock and pop
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
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
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
