Dan W Jacobs creates animated music video for Kero Kero Bonito
Based on an mythical tale involving towers and royalty, Jacobs combines traditional hand-drawn animation with 3D techniques for the promo
This student animation captures the torment of a sleepless night
Created as part of their final project, a young team of animators illustrate the restless imagination of someone trying to get to sleep
Zohar Dvir animates a bubble-filled fantasy world for Teddi Gold
The musician’s Thought Bubbles music video explores the boundaries between real and make-believe through the experiences of a girl and her cat
Aardman addresses young people’s mental health with animated films
The creators of Wallace & Gromit have launched a campaign exploring mental health challenges including loneliness and the negative effects of social media
Inside ACMI’s ambitious museum design
As Melbourne’s newly revamped screen culture museum reopens, we talk to chief experience officer Seb Chan about building a multiplatform experience that straddles analogue and digital
Jakob Eiring and Konrad Hjemli capture the struggle of stifling a yawn at work
The two animation graduates explore the universal feeling of suppressing a yawn during an important work meeting and the hilarity that it brings
How adaptability can make or break a studio
Mike Moloney, founder of design and animation studio, Art&Graft, reflects on how being adaptable, in all senses of the word, has allowed him to build a business that is now celebrating its tenth birthday
Channel 4’s Rap Therapy explores mental health
The animated series invites the likes of D Double E and Ray BLK to discuss their own mental health struggles and share mindfulness techniques that can help boost wellbeing
Around the Block celebrates the horror and opportunity of the blank page
The short film, directed by Jonnie Lewis, draws parallels between the sidewalk creatures of Michigan street artist David Zinn and the importance of getting your idea out and into the world
Marcus Rashford lends his voice to Aldi’s child poverty animation
The footballer turned activist narrates the supermarket’s new film, Hunger, which depicts the impact of child food poverty with the help of illustrator Lisa Stickley
How to survive 2021: Keep on Collaborating
From reimagining office culture online to using the wealth of virtual events to make new contacts, creatives discuss how to make collaboration a key part of your work this year
Animator JiHee Nam talks about finding her style and working for herself
The CalArts graduate discusses her latest short film, her creative process, and the challenges she’s faced so far in the industry
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
Inside the design boom at ad agencies
We talk to Wieden + Kennedy Portland, Droga5 London and Mother Design about bringing together design and advertising work under one roof, and the perception of design work produced at ad agencies
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
CR’s pick of the 2021 Super Bowl ads
While the pandemic inevitably ushered in some changes to this year’s Super Bowl, we saw some familiar trends in the advertising around the big game
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
Twitter’s new identity reflects the messiness of life online
Created by Twitter’s in-house team and French studio Irradié, the social media platform’s refreshed branding features an “intentionally imperfect” aesthetic and new brand font, Chirp
Oliver Jeffers on changing plans
The artist and children’s book author shares how Covid derailed his travel and career plans and how he’s adapted his life and creative practice as a result
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
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’
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
Reverting to Type exhibition features protest posters by 100 letterpress artists
The online exhibition features a mix of famous names and less-heard voices, who all use letterpress techniques to express their feelings on a range of contemporary issues
The evolution of street art
While art shown indoors may have temporarily lost its audience to the pandemic, street art is on the rise. Here, Hazel Davis reflects on how the medium is growing ever more part of the art establishment, yet can still be used as a force for change
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”
Jack Forrest’s daily poster project puts an emphasis on bold typography
Having just graduated, the designer experiments with different styles and imagery in his posters to challenge himself and connect with the design community
How crucial is luck in making great work?
Lucky Generals founding partner Andy Nairn talks to us about why brands and organisations should embrace strategies to encourage a stroke of luck – and also recognise the positives in bad fortune
Seesaws along US-Mexico border named the Design Museum’s top pick of 2020
Teeter-Totter Wall has been announced as the overall winner of the Beazley Designs of the Year, while category winners include a Covid-19 visualisation and a portable school
Anthony Burrill has designed a seven-storey-high mural for Leeds
Black and white lettering stretches 88ft high in the designer’s biggest artwork so far, which adorns the end of a historic canal-side building in the city
How to survive 2021: A Guide for Creatives
With the uncertainty and challenges of 2020 following us into the new year, we talk to a number of industry experts about the ways that creatives can survive – and even thrive – in 2021
How the tech revolution failed creatives
Tech firms once claimed they could set us free. But, as a new book points out, for those working in the creative industries, the offering has proved a particularly bad deal
