Donald Graham Burt on making a career in production design
The Oscar-winning production designer discusses his journey from night janitor to one of David Fincher’s most trusted collaborators, plus his work on the director’s latest film Mank
Gavin Strange on balancing the day job with passion projects
By day, Gavin Strange works as a director and designer for Aardman Animations, and by night he operates as JamFactory, an alias which sees him indulge in his love of side projects. Here he tells us how he does it
The In-House Life: Ed Morris, AB InBev
In the latest article in our series exploring how working life differs for creatives at in-house agencies, we hear from Ed Morris, ECD at draftLine Europe, the in-house agency for brewer AB InBev
Morcos Key’s community-based approach to design
The Brooklyn studio examines ideas around community and identity through its design practice. We talk to founders Wael Morcos and Jon Key about finding their way in New York, the role of identity in their work and the Arabic type renaissance
Why portrait photography is all about trust
CR speaks to three portrait photographers about why they were drawn to the art form, and the importance of trust and collaboration when working with a subject
An oral history of the Old Spice ads
First launched in 2010, Wieden + Kennedy Portland’s shirtless one-shot ads for P&G brand Old Spice turned heads and spawned a cascade of spinoffs. We retrace how the ads were made with the creatives as well as The Man himself, Isaiah Mustafa
Jim Goldberg on reflection and reinvention
Two decades on from his seminal series Raised by Wolves, Jim Goldberg’s new book, Fingerprint, looks back at his time spent documenting California’s forgotten youth with a collection of previously unseen polaroids. Here, the photographer discusses what he’s learned
Parallel Teeth on the art of creating animated music videos
The one-man studio of animator and illustrator Robert Wallace has created music videos and ad campaigns for an array of artists and clients. Here he tells us how he makes it work
How I Work: Nadia Lee Cohen
As she releases her first monograph, Nadia Lee Cohen discusses the inspiration behind her surreal images – which draw heavily on cinema and Americana – and the curious characters who frequent her photos
Ghetts on creating an album campaign during Covid
As Ghetts releases new album Conflict of Interest, we speak to the rapper, along with creative director Nathan Tettey and animator Ruffmercy, about adapting and innovating amid the uncertainty of the pandemic
The art of Arlo Parks
Fresh from releasing her debut album, we speak to Arlo Parks and regular collaborator Molly Burdett about the series of thought-provoking music videos they’ve created together, and the value of the artist-director relationship
The In-House Life: Emma Perkins, Lego
Creatives moving to in-house agencies is a continuing trend in advertising and marketing. Here we hear from Emma Perkins, head of Lego Agency EMEA, about the pros and cons she has found from moving client-side
Inside the surreal world of Slowthai
As Slowthai reveals his introspective side with new album Tyron, we speak to frequent collaborators Crowns & Owls about the album art’s attempt to crack the glossy veneer of fame, and why the Northampton-born rapper is still the voice of a generation
Margot Lévêque on why good typography shouldn’t be rushed
Graphic and type designer Margot Lévêque talks about the importance of taking your time when designing and the problems with Instagram-based type foundries
Leif Podhajsky on his mind-bending psychedelic art
The visual artist behind a range of Tame Impala, Foals and Bonobo album covers talks to us about creating his debut monograph and how a childhood immersed in nature shaped his outlook
The changing nature of book cover design
Donna Payne, Faber’s creative director, explains her creative process when designing a cover, and touches upon the impact of the pandemic and the boost in online sales it’s prompted
Lakwena on belief, mythology and making a statement
The London-based artist discusses the motivation and process behind her epic painted murals, which combine vibrant colour palettes with uplifting messages that are rooted in spirituality
How I Work: Bukola Garry, adam&eveDDB
The ad agency’s new head of diversity, equality and inclusion talks to us about her experiences in advertising, her plans for the role, and why it isn’t about being the ‘PC police’
Building the musical world of Bicep
As Bicep’s Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar release their second album, Isles, the duo discuss the process of creating the artwork in tandem with the record itself, and how their muscle-flexing emblem has become one of dance music’s most recognisable symbols
Making The Serpent
Director Tom Shankland discusses the challenges of transporting viewers back in time to the 1970s South East Asia hippie trail, in his chilling new BBC adaption of conman and serial killer Charles Sobhraj’s crimes
Behind the scenes of Burger King’s juicy rebrand
JKR executive creative director Lisa Smith explains why the fast food giant ditched the glossy buns and embraced a bit of nostalgia, to become “how you imagine BK to be on its best day”
How I Work: Mark Clennon
The New York-based photographer talks about the need for transparency in the industry, who he is creating work for, and why documenting protests is vital
How I Work: Michael Tabtabai, Google Brand Studio
As executive creative director of Google Brand Studio, Tabtabai discusses his day-to-day and the responsibilities he has in leading a team to drive change
Inside Ricardo Cavolo’s wild drawings
As he releases a new book, the Barcelona-based artist talks to us about his creative process, and what it’s like to be introduced to the visual arts from the day you were born