Trends of the Year 2021

The second year of the pandemic brought about yet more uncertainty, but there was also plenty of innovation, humour and hope. Here we look back at the creative trends over the past 12 months

The best games of the year 2021

Once more, gamers enjoyed a year of immersive storytelling and novel formats, from Returnal’s looping narrative to Unpacking’s soothing tidy-up sim. Here’s ten of CR’s favourites

Trends of 2021: The year in film and TV

After productions ground to a halt in the wake of the pandemic, the cinema attempted a comeback this year. Meanwhile, streaming platforms served up a glut of bingeworthy series to ensure that we all remained glued to our tellies

Trends of 2021: The year in photos

In 2021, we saw the photography industry attempt to adjust to a changing world, with the cautious reopening of exhibitions for the first time since the pandemic, and the continuing embrace of new voices. Here, Diane Smyth looks back on a complex year

Trends of 2021: The year in tech

If 2020 was defined by time spent indoors, in 2021 we were asked to expand our horizons outwards – virtually. We look back at how NFTs and the metaverse took root in culture, how brands got in on the virtual act, and the ways in which creators addressed responsibility in tech

The best ads of the year 2021

As the advertising industry wrestled with the fallout of Covid, remote working, and the need to make everyone laugh in difficult times, some brilliant creative work was produced in 2021