A new photo book captures the hidden beauty of council estates
Jack Young’s images of London’s historic council estates look to illustrate the value of places and communities that are too often dismissed, undermined and underfunded
The Modernist on a decade of making a magazine
As the Modernist celebrates its 10th anniversary, the team behind the publication discuss the trials and tribulations of running an indie mag and how it has stood the test of time
Projects Office builds new space for young mental health patients
The unit will bring together a number of existing services in a purpose built facility at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Lenovo
How the VFX industry will thrive post-Covid
What it takes to maintain world-class creative output in a hybrid-working future
The history of the open plan office
From its surprisingly radical roots to its role post-pandemic, Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler – assistant professor of design history at Purdue University – talks CR through the legacy of the open plan office
Denizen Works: in praise of off-kilter creativity
Murray Kerr, founder of architecture practice Denizen Works, shares his purposefully ‘naïve’ approach to design and discusses the challenges of leading his studio off the beaten path
Ask Anna: How can I switch to a creative career?
On this edition of Ask Anna, our agony aunt Anna Higgs offers a reader advice on switching to a creative career later in life, and how to look for transferable skills
Wayfinding is more than just functional in Moscow’s Gorky Park
The park puts a playful spin on navigation with a new system highlighting the area’s smaller pleasures, and signage that transforms into nocturnal art objects
Creative Collaborators: Richard Brim and Martin Beverley, adam&eveDDB
In a new series examining what makes for a successful creative partnership, we speak to adam&eveDDB’s chief creative officer Richard Brim and chief strategy officer Martin Beverley about being the yin to each other’s yang
It’s architecture … but for dogs
Japan House London’s latest exhibition is a showcase of doggie-friendly architecture, featuring kennels and beds created by some of the biggest names in design
Why the modern office needs to be a destination, not an obligation
While the shift to working from home prompted by the pandemic initially seemed successful, many are now craving a return to the office. But, argues Aaron Taylor Harvey, we shouldn’t just go back to where we were before. What we need is a third way
Can creativity build a better post-Covid city?
The pandemic has prompted cities around the world to reconsider everything from parks and public transport to the way high streets work. Emma Tucker explores why good design is the way forward for greener, more sustainable spaces that keep us all happy and healthy
How should studios support designers’ mental health?
Slides in the office and wellbeing workshops aren’t going to cut it anymore. We speak to design studios taking a more considered approach to mental health
Did somebody say Just Eat?
McCann London discusses how it made one of the most recognisable — and polarising — pieces of sonic branding around today
Starface is the viral skincare brand normalising acne
We speak to the team behind Starface about how it is using creativity, collaborations and a killer TikTok strategy to become the skincare brand of choice for Gen Z
The many faces of William Klein
The photographer and filmmaker’s exhibition at the ICP in New York celebrates the multifaceted nature of his practice over the course of nearly seven decades
Why brands need to let go of minimalism
Minimalism is the go-to design route for many brands. But by taking this safe option, they could be missing the opportunity to really stand out, says monopo London creative director Melanie Hubert-Crozet
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
Why Ustwo became employee owned
We speak to the studio’s CEO, Carsten Wierwille, about its journey from being founder-run to becoming an Employee Ownership Trust, and how it hopes to inspire other creative businesses to do the same
The creative potential of 3D billboards
The humble billboard is evolving as creative uses of 3D imagery are being used to sell everything from movies to video games to sneakers. Here, Alex Wilson, ECD at brand experience agency Amplify, examines what they offer for brands
The challenges and creative innovations behind Abba Voyage
We chat to VFX wizards ILM and director Baillie Walsh about making ‘Abbatars’ come to life, creating visual ‘short stories’ from Abba hits, and more
Inside the epic design challenge of the Elizabeth line
Over 30 years in the making, the new Elizabeth line in London is a herculean feat of engineering, architecture and, of course, design. We speak to TfL’s head of design, Jon Hunter, about how it will change the face of transport in London and beyond
How Finisterre is paving the way for sustainable brands
Founder Tom Kay tells CR how he went from persuading bank managers to take sustainability seriously to running a much-loved clothes brand with a mission to get more of us to connect with the sea
Wine brand Stompy wants you to “sip more, snob less”
&Walsh’s branding for the wine subscription service strives to shake up the stuffy world of wine
Why the creative industry needs Channel 4
With the UK Government planning to privatise the 40-year-old broadcaster, CR speaks to current and former C4 employees about what makes it special, and the unique role it’s played in pioneering creativity
New Lacoste campaign emphasises the brand’s ageless style
Via a series of print ads and commercials, Lacoste demonstrates how its clothes will make you look cool, whatever age you are
What should the metaverse look like?
We look at how environments in the metaverse should be designed if they’re going to attract and maintain the interest of audiences – and who should get to design them
The changing face of finance brands
A raft of new personal finance brands are on a mission to win over Gen Z consumers. We examine how they are setting themselves apart from the millennial-friendly approach of more established challengers
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
JKR rebrands Magnolia Bakery in New York, home of the cupcake
The brand, which leapt to fame after an appearance in Sex and the City in the 90s, has a new identity as it announces growth plans
Can you actually design a creative district?
Traditionally, creative communities have formed organically — but development companies believe that infrastructure and a ‘build it and they will come’ approach can be just as vital as following the hip crowd
Campbell Addy’s journey to Feeling Seen
In just six years, photographer Campbell Addy has carved a distinctive place within the fashion industry. Here he talks to Gem Fletcher about his new book Feeling Seen and the importance of friendship, community and intimacy in his work
