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
Let’s Not Forget, urges Cephas Williams in billboard campaign
The founder of photo project 56 Black Men has created a campaign honouring George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and further victims of police brutality and racial injustice that “haven’t made it to a hashtag”
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
Artists create posters in lieu of Montreux Jazz Festival
After the cancellation of this year’s event, the festival is releasing artworks by creatives including Malika Favre and Ignasi Monreal, and has launched a design competition for the first time
How to make an ad from home
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
Black Lives Matter: Resources and Responses
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
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
How to make it as an online creative teacher
With the rise of online learning portals, there are opportunities for creatives to make a decent side career by sharing their skills. Lisa Hassell looks into the the best way to get involved
Café Royal Books: 15 years of documenting the UK
Café Royal Books releases an astounding 70 books a year. Here, founder Craig Atkinson explains why he wanted the publishing house to be a home for British documentary photography and undiscovered talent
Melanie Lambrick weaves nostalgia into her West Coast-inspired images
The illustrator breaks down complex topics into conceptual editorial illustrations that reference vintage children’s books and California in the 60s and 70s
New Extinction Rebellion film asks how normal was normal
As we tentatively begin to emerge from lockdown, climate change activism group Extinction Rebellion asks us to evaluate what we are returning to
The losses and gains of WFH
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
The Nationwide Degree show launches on UK billboards
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
Coutts is one big family in its heritage-led rebrand
FutureBrand has overhauled Coutts’ visual identity, replacing its “unapproachable” image with branding that emphasises its family and historical roots
The chatbots are coming
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
Standards Manual is releasing a book on NASA’s worm logo
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
Janik Söllner’s dynamic editorial illustrations jump off the page
Just starting out in his career, Janik Söllner has already built a tidy list of clients with his angular yet endearing characters
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
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
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
