Trends of 2023: The year in tech
We look back on a year dominated by artificial intelligence, which epitomised the split between concern and optimism in other corners of the tech landscape
Magazine covers of the year 2023
The power of the magazine cover was highlighted once again this year, with evocative and entertaining designs addressing everything from the future of work to the cult of Jennifer Coolidge
Record sleeves of the year 2023
Linocut and collage techniques appear in our list of favourite album designs this year, alongside photographic covers taking us to spiritual places
Trends of 2023: The year in photography
This year brought significant challenges to the photography industry, with AI, the writers’ strike, and a slowdown in commissioning all impacting opportunities. But there were wonderful exhibitions too
Trends of 2023: The year in branding
This year, designers sought to bring warmth to tech brands and evolve sexual wellness tropes, all while reckoning with questions around legacy and originality
Music videos of the year 2023
This year rich storytelling and elaborate in-person shoots were favoured, and of course the creative possibilities of AI were utilised in our pick of the 10 best promos of the year
Trends of 2023: The year in advertising
This year the ad industry manged to create some great work in between threats to the agency model, Barbie fever, and the realities of the cost of living crisis
Games of the year 2023
This year saw compelling additions to iconic gaming franchises as well as exciting new entrants to the indie game scene. Here are our favourite titles of 2023
Movie posters of the year 2023
Designer Daniel Benneworth-Gray returns to CR with his annual round-up of the best movie posters this year. Betcha can’t guess what’s up first..?
Is the era of the blockbuster TV ad over?
While a splashy 90-second used to be a sure-fire way for brands to win Christmas or the Super Bowl, the reality of a fragmented media landscape means that even a blockbuster TV ad is just another piece of content now
Book covers designs of the year 2023
Writer and editor Mark Sinclair reflects on the influence that the digital world has had on our understanding of book cover design, before rounding up his favourite covers of the year
Advertising campaigns of the year 2023
While adland grappled with a heady mix of AI, Barbie, mergers, and the cost of living crisis, it also produced some damn fine campaigns in 2023. Here’s our favourites of the year
Why do ‘boring’ companies suddenly care about branding?
After an influx of compelling design from unexpected sectors, we ask why it’s happening, if it’s really going to make CEOs happy, and discuss the lessons still to learn from the corporate identities of yesteryear
The evolution of brand purpose
This year saw the most enduring trend of the past decade take a bashing, with significant voices in the industry turning against it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the end of purpose just yet
The rise of motion in design
The use of motion design and animation in brand identities has reached an all-time high. Here, CR looks into what can be achieved by adding movement to projects and what the limitations can be
How brands have adapted to the cost of living crisis
Financial pressures continued to impact people’s spending habits this year, while brands made their own cutbacks and placed renewed emphasis on value in response
Is originality in branding dead?
We look at how ubiquitous design trends and increasing client pressures have led to the rise of branding déjà vu, and why it’s important for designers to fight against familiarity
Have streaming channels given up on aspirational branding?
As TV entertainment channels have shifted from being desirable to essential, the sector’s branding has gone mainstream too, losing its cultural edge in the process, says Trollbäck + Company’s Mika Saulitis