The athletes take over the ad in new Nike commercial
Nike proves that it is still the boss of sports advertising in an epic but funny new spot, released to coincide with the Rio Olympics.
Harvey Nichols: The Provocateurs
The fashion and luxury industries have a reputation for seriousness, but over the last decade and a half luxury department store Harvey Nichols, with its ad agency adam&eveDDB, has shown that its customers will respond to humour too, especially if it comes with an edge. The brand’s marketing work may have received as many complaints as it has awards, but is impossible to ignore – we take an in-depth look at it here.
Ads of the Week
From humour to heartbreak to hyperbole, our Ads of the Week have a bit of everything. Dig in.
Ads of the Week
It’s hot, and the British are bothered. But to keep you chuckling while you boil, here’s a comedy-filled Ads of the Week…
Is Apple redefining luxury?
Apple’s World Gallery iPhone 6 campaign, which won a Grand Prix at Cannes, is part of a wider strategy to shift the brand towards luxury – a new kind of luxury, writes Tim Milne
Vans x Murakami
Vans has collaborated with artist Takashi Murakami on a range of t-shirts, skate decks, surf boards and shoes for its premium Vault by Vans label. We spoke to Vans’ VP of merchandising and design, Steve Mills, about the partnership, and how collaborating with artists and fashion labels has helped transform perceptions of its classic shoes.
The CR Annual 2015 – Best in Book
Here are this year’s Best in Book – those projects deemed by our judges to be of special merit selected from our showcase of outstanding work in visual communications over the past year
Ads of the Week
It’s a comedic Ads of the Week this time, opening with a surprisingly light-hearted ad for Nike, directed by Matthew Frost, of Fashion Film fame…
Ads of the Week
We’ve got great ads from Vodafone, Nike, GE, Canal+, Pedigree, Volkswagen and the Australian Transport Accident Commission to share with you this week. First up though, is a spot for Finish dishwasher powder that will resonate with anyone who finds that their pleasure in a social occasion can be marred by the thought of all the washing up…
Volvo LifePaint: awesome new product or PR stunt?
Car brand Volvo, and its ad agency Grey London, recently launched LifePaint, a reflective safety spray to be used by cyclists to make them more visible to cars at night. The product has received both cheers and critcism in the media and on blogs. Here, we talk to the creative director Hollie Newton about some of complaints, and also explore the complicated territory that emerges when ad agencies mix marketing with product design…
Your health in your hands
Wearables linked to online systems could put designers at the heart of a revolution in healthcare. Patrick Burgoyne asks where this ‘self-care’ movement is taking us
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
