How should designers address the cost of living crisis?
With a potential global recession on the horizon, brands are facing complex decisions, which will offer both challenges and opportunities for designers, says Design Bridge’s Tom Gilbert
Setting up a creative agency? Here’s some money advice
From upfront costs to whether it’s worth shelling out for a studio space, we chat to creative studios about the financial side of setting up shop
How can we get better at talking about money?
When it comes to money in the creative industries, a culture of silence perpetuates pay gaps and leaves many shortchanged. We look at how creatives can navigate discussions and why a shift must come from the top down
Dionne Kitching on why play is better than perfectionism
The Manchester-based artist tells CR how embracing the element of chance, and stopping the endless quest for perfection, restored her love of illustration and gave her work a new lease of life
Are copyright battles destroying creativity?
In an industry where people are often badly paid, it’s important to protect the ownership of creative work and ideas. But is this leading to a litigious culture that will ultimately suppress creativity? Richard Holman examines both sides of the question
What Charles and Ray Eames can teach designers today
Charles & Ray Eames didn’t just create iconic pieces of design – they thought of themselves as ‘tradesmen’ whose job was to create better, longer-lasting products. Llisa Demetrios, Eames Institute chief curator and granddaughter of the pair, discusses what we can learn from them
Will the metaverse improve access to the creative industry?
The metaverse offers exciting possibilities for education, including the potential for more diverse access to the creative industries. But only if it’s built with inclusivity at its heart, writes Ally Owen, founder of Brixton Finishing School
Why channelling your inner child could help your creativity
Nobody likes to look stupid in meetings, but sometimes asking seemingly dumb questions or admitting you don’t understand something can unlock better creative work, says Julian Harriman-Dickinson
What does net zero mean for the creative industry?
Coffee & TV’s first sustainability manager, Holly Arnold, discusses the challenges of decarbonising the business and the confusion around what net zero actually requires
Joe Guest on how to make it as an editor
The renowned advertising editor talks us through the changing nature of the job, plus shares some of his favourite moments, including cutting a Nike spot on a bin outside a Peckham chicken shop
Harry Ead on leaving – and going back to – DixonBaxi
While returning to a previous place of work can sometimes be viewed as a step backwards for career progression, creative director Harry Ead’s experience has been quite the opposite. Here, he tells us why
The evolution of design education and learning
Design institutions need to forge better connections between schools, communities and the industry, says D&AD president Rebecca Wright
In search of an ending
Should brands be considering what happens at the end of a product’s life as much as its beginning? Designer Joe Macleod thinks so
The do’s and don’ts of creative side hustles
Three creatives share advice on how to start (and stick with) a side hustle – from balancing it alongside your day job to ensuring you are doing it for the right reasons
How to shake off the demon of convention
In this extract from his new book, Creative Demons and How to Slay Them, Richard Holman examines the lure of convention and how to summon original thought
Covid, Brexit and the great resignation
The events of the past few years have had a significant impact on the creative talent pool and led to much movement in agencies and studios – but what does the future hold?
How young creatives benefit from more informal mentorship
The emotional support mentorship offers can be just as beneficial as professional advice. CR uncovers how two programmes make a less rigid and more empathetic approach work
Sarah Boris on the joy of being your own boss
Graphic designer and artist Sarah Boris has always charted her own course through the creative industries, from starting out in-house rather than at a studio, to setting up her own practice in 2015. She discusses what she’s learned along the way
How to focus in a world of distractions
How can creatives manage their ‘whizzy’ brains, and is our pursuit of concentration doomed to fail? Illustrator and writer Ben Tallon discusses how to avoid the demons of procrastination, and still find time to let the brain percolate
Tom Etherington on stepping away from a dream role
Tom Etherington has left Penguin Press after six years as a cover designer at the publisher. He talks to us about why he gave up many designers’ dream job and what comes next
Redressing the UK’s creative industries’ London-centricity
Creativity is thriving across the UK – not just in London. So why aren’t design students hearing about it?
How to nurture creative talent
Gretel’s head of design, Dylan Mulvaney, shares how the studio has built an internship programme that benefits both the studio and the careers of young creatives
Trust and the designer-client relationship
Trust is the essential component to making great creative work. Here, designer and co-founder of Wolff Olins, Michael Wolff, examines its role in our personal and work lives, in brands, and in how we use design to shape the world we want to live in
Ask Anna: Will going on parental leave affect my creative career?
Our agony aunt Anna Higgs addresses a reader’s questions about life as a parent in the creative industry. We hear about the advantages parenthood can bring to the workplace, but also of the inequalities that remain across some of the industry
Ask Anna: How do I adapt to the real world again?
The reopening of offices and workplaces in the UK can be intimidating and unnerving for many creatives. Our agony aunt Anna Higgs gives some advice on navigating our new world
The pros and cons of making merch
Leta Sobierajski, David Shrigley and Morag Myerscough weigh in on the ups and downs of making merchandise and products – from the joy of designing tangible objects to the challenges of getting it right
Want to teach yourself 3D? Here’s some advice from the experts
With 3D design software skills in huge demand, artist Eva Cremers and Territory Studio founder David Sheldon-Hicks share their top tips for teaching yourself, covering everything from YouTube tutorials to client projects
How to handle the hype
Photographer Sophie Mayanne, artist Jean Jullien, and Closer&Closer agent Drew Melton discuss how to manage pushy journalists, projects that go viral overnight and the ever-faster hype cycle that young creatives face
Are virtual placements the future for grads?
CR explores whether remote internships and placements could become the new norm for grads, and how agencies could make it work
Ask Anna: How can I get the recognition I deserve as a freelancer?
Our agony aunt Anna Higgs offers advice on how to get due recognition – and maybe even an awards mention – when you’re a freelancer
How to showcase your work and grow your profile
You’ve done the work, but now what? We speak to illustrator Olimpia Zagnoli and Julie Cook, head of art at Mother London, to get the freelancer and commissioner perspective on how best to get your work and name out there
How to start your own business
Setting up shop can be a daunting prospect even for the most experienced creatives. Here, Ollie Olanipekun of Superimpose – and new venture Futurimpose – and ISSTUDIO co-founders Imogen Snell and Riccardo Castano discuss making your business idea a reality
How to find your style as a creative
Developing a unique aesthetic is by no means an easy or instant process for most creatives. Here, photographer Alex de Mora and illustrator Shyama Golden share their tips on how to find your voice when you’re starting out
How to keep your clients (and yourself) happy
What do you do when a client’s being difficult? Is it always worth arguing for your idea? CR tackles these, and more, with help from creatives across the worlds of advertising, illustration and film
The do’s and don’ts of pitching
Pitching as someone new to the creative industries can be tough, so here we talk to four creatives to get their tips on how to pitch and what to do with feedback that is less than positive
How to boost the chances of scoring a job in a downturn
It’s undoubtedly a challenging time for those looking for a job in the creative industries, but there are number of strategies you can employ to increase opportunities. We’ve gathered some insights from industry experts
What should you charge for your work?
We talk to agent Olivia Triggs, photographer David Ryle, and director, illustrator and animator Katy Wang for advice on costing up projects, negotiating fees and deciding how much to charge for your time
Why flexible working should now be standard practice for creative businesses
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many businesses to fully adapt to flexible working. Tanya Livesey explains why this should be a mandate going forward for creative businesses
How to make remote onboarding work
How do you start a new role when you’ve never even seen the office? And how do you handle WFH if this is your first job? We investigate how studios and agencies have managed the onboarding process during lockdown, and what it could mean for the future of remote work
Are children compatible with a creative career?
With lockdown forcing mums to bear the brunt of childcare and homeschooling, we ask what it’ll take to make creative careers more compatible with children and how the industry can begin to close the gender gap
2020 art and design degree show guide
With UK degree shows called off this summer, we’ve put together a list of undergraduate art and design showcases taking place online
Tanya Livesey on the art of feedback
Giving or receiving feedback can be a daunting prospect. Yet it is vital for creating a working environment that is respectful, confident and productive. Here, leadership coach Tanya Livesey offers some tips and advice on the best way to approach it
Ask Anna: How to ask for a raise
In her latest column, our agony aunt Anna Higgs tackles an age-old challenge: how to ask your boss for more money
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
Ask Anna: How can I go from freelancer to small business owner?
Our resident agony aunt Anna Higgs offers a reader advice on how to make the jump from being a gun for hire to heading up their own business
2019 art and design degree show guide
It’s degree show season! We’ve put together this handy list of all the undergraduate art and design degree shows taking place across the UK this summer
How can we improve the relationship between industry and academia?
In his latest column Patrick Burgoyne discusses his concerns around the marketisation of education, why it isn’t producing industry-ready professionals and how we can change this
Ask Anna: Any tips on how to meet peers in the industry?
This month our agony aunt Anna Higgs gives a reader advice on how to meet industry peers and where to seek out networking opportunities
Creative Pioneers: Astrid Stavro on pitching, speed and what makes a great idea
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, leading a team, responding to briefs, their creative process and more
Creative Leaders on Failure: Made by Many’s Tim Malbon
We’ve talked to five of CR’s Creative Leaders 50 about how they have handled failure in their own career, and how they advise others to cope when things don’t go according to plan. Below we hear from Made By Many’s founding partner Tim Malbon
Creative Leaders on Failure: NOBL MD Lauren Currie
We’ve talked to five of CR’s Creative Leaders 50 about how they have handled failure in their own career, and how they advise others to cope when things don’t go according to plan. Here we speak to Managing Director of NOBL, Lauren Currie
Creative Leaders on Failure: ustwo co-founder Mills
We’ve talked to five of CR’s Creative Leaders 50 about how they have handled failure in their own career, and how they advise others to cope when things don’t go according to plan. Today we speak to ustwo and ustwo adventure co-founder, Mills
Creative Leaders on Failure: Adrian Shaughnessy
We’ve talked to five of CR’s Creative Leaders 50 about how they have handled failure in their own career, and how they advise others to cope when things don’t go according to plan. Next we talk to designer and publisher Adrian Shaughnessy
Creative Leaders on Failure: Somesuch’s Sally Campbell
We’ve talked to five of CR’s Creative Leaders 50 about how they have handled failure in their own career, and how they advise others to cope when things don’t go according to plan. First up is production company Somesuch co-founder, Sally Campbell
Creative Pioneers: Jim Sutherland on how he measures success
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, leading a team, responding to briefs, their creative process and more
Creative Pioneers: Sir John Hegarty sheds light on his creative process
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, leading a team, writing and responding to briefs and more
Creative Pioneers: Zia Zareem-Slade on writing a good creative brief
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, leading a team, writing and responding to briefs and more
Creative Pioneers: Michael Johnson on whether creativity can be taught
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, how they respond to briefs, deal with clients, lead a team and more
Creative Pioneers: Grey London’s Caroline Pay on what makes a good brief
In this video series we speak to creative leaders about their approaches to commercial creativity, how they respond to briefs, deal with clients, lead a team and more
Craig Oldham’s advice to design students and fresh grads
Last week we invited our Twitter followers to send in any questions they may have about a career in design. Here are some of the questions that came in, and Oldham’s advice.