Time’s Trump cover – a revealing portrait
There was an outcry over the ‘horns’ supposedly given to Donald Trump on Time’s cover, but the really chilling effect is in the composition of the image
Tech comes to The Tempest in new RSC production
The Royal Shakespeare Company has joined forces with Imaginarium Studios and Intel to create a digital version of the sprite Ariel in its latest production of The Tempest. We find out how it was done.
Why Stop Funding Hate deserves answers
The Stop Funding Hate campaign is gaining traction and giving brands difficult decisions to make
From the ‘K’ to the Super 8: why Kodak is looking back to move forward
Kodak is looking to the past to reinvent its consumer business, reviving a 1970s logo, updating its iconic Super 8 camera and launching a smartphone inspired by a camera from the 1940s. We spoke to Dany Atkins, VP of global brand and creative, about looking to Kodak’s heritage for inspiration…
Björk’s virtual world
As Björk Digital continues at Somerset House in London, we talk to her and two of her key collaborators about how she is exploring the creative possibilities of virtual reality
Shelter at 50 – campaigns, communication and the ongoing fight for housing
Shelter has fought to raise awareness of homelessness and housing issues in the UK since the late 1960s. As the charity marks its 50th year, we look at how it has communicated its aims over that time and why, as a new crisis emerges, its work remains as vital as ever
Stranger Things: Analysis of a TV hit
The hit of the summer of 2016 wasn’t a pop song, or a blockbuster movie, it was a TV show: Netflix series Stranger Things. But why was it so, so popular? Let’s break it down.
The Pilcrow: pints and placemaking
Can you build a community by building a pub? Via weekly workshops on everything from furniture to food, a group of designers and volunteers in Manchester are helping to create a pub that will form part of a major new development in the city
Imposter Syndrome and how creatives can deal with it
Ever felt like you are about to be found out? That you really don’t deserve to be a global chief and that any day now someone’s going to rumble you? Worry not: Imposter Syndrome is a recognised psychological trait common to many creative leaders. Executive coach Tanya Livesey has some advice on how to deal with it
“You’re no longer the genius — you’re the idiot”, Iain Tait
Wieden + Kennedy London ECD Iain Tait on how the agency is changing its creative process, the difference between real and fake collaboration and why creative leaders come in all shapes and sizes
Brexit: How design made the difference
A month on from the vote that changed everything – and nothing – Rob Coke analyses the role of design in winning the argument for Leave
We’re Here Because We’re Here – A silent commemoration of the soldiers of the Somme
Thousands of soldiers dressed in First World War uniforms appeared in towns and cities across the UK today as part of a live public memorial on an unprecedented scale. The project, marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, was conceived by artist Jeremy Deller and the National Theatre’s Rufus Norris – the latest commission from 14-18 Now.
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
Burger King unveils a tasty new look
Created in collaboration with JKR, the fast food giant’s first rebrand in over 20 years features a more digital-friendly burger logo and an appropriately named brand font, Flame
How I Got Here: Joseph Rodriguez
As a taxi driver in the 70s and 80s, photographer Joseph Rodriguez captured the intensity of New York City from the driver’s seat. He talks to us about his childhood, learning from the greats, and his ‘get close’ mantra
Photographer Sydney Rahimtoola explores myth and heritage in her work
Images of mythical creatures and domestic sorcery are all part of artist and photographer Sydney Rahimtoola’s attempt to document the “little magical moments” of everyday life
Do advertising creatives need a union?
As the ad industry moves increasingly quickly towards a freelance model, our advertising correspondent Ben Kay asks whether it’s time for creatives to unionise
New trailer for the BBC celebrates the broadcaster’s creativity
At a time when criticism of the BBC feels more intense than ever, the broadcaster has put together a two-minute film to remind us all of the quality programming it delivers
Why simplicity is the way ahead for social media in 2021
As We Are Social releases its annual trends report, chief strategy officer Mobbie Nazir reveals evidence of a move towards simpler and kinder social media habits that look to brands for assistance rather than aspiration
Trends of 2020: The year in film and TV
Streaming giants ruled the roost once again in 2020, while many of us also sought comfort in the familiarity of public service broadcasters, in a year where we’ve essentially been forced to stay glued to our sofas
The best magazine covers of 2020
In a year of flux, magazine covers were dominated by radical change, calls for change and the changemakers themselves. We look back at ten of our favourites
The Creative’s Gambit
The Netflix hit series The Queen’s Gambit has brought chess back into the limelight. Here, ad creative Marta Morientes – an avid chess player in her youth – explains how the game has helped her to be a better creative
What will British branding look like post-Brexit?
Is branding’s post-Brexit future a sea of Union Jacks, or does the UK’s exit from the European Union offer a chance for companies to explore what being British actually means?
Inside Ricardo Cavolo’s wild drawings
As he releases a new book, the Barcelona-based artist talks to us about his creative process, and what it’s like to be introduced to the visual arts from the day you were born
A QR Code Renaissance?
QR codes have received an unexpected resurrection during Covid-19, becoming a vital tool for navigating pandemic life. But will they sink back into the depths when no longer needed? Stink Studios’ James Britton hopes not
Malika Favre’s sexy Kama Sutra alphabet is now available in book form
The illustrator’s 26 saucy letters have been immortalised in print, thanks to a glossy hardback book from Counter-Print
Ben & Jerry’s: Peace, love and ice cream
Ben & Jerry’s global social mission officer Dave Rapaport talks to Anna Burzlaff, head of cultural insights and strategy agency Truth, about the brand’s approach to activism, and what it takes to make credible change in the world today
Can creativity save restaurants from Covid-19?
Hospitality has been hit hard by the pandemic, but in the midst of increased restrictions restaurateurs are finding creative ways to reach hungry punters at home. Here, we delve into how restaurant brands are adapting to the new normal
Xinmei Liu’s images are inspired by old Chinese propaganda posters
With commissions from the New York Times and Medium, Xinmei Liu enjoys combining nostalgia with satire to create surreal and surprising illustrations
Getting to know Tony’s Chocolonely
The Tony’s Chocolonely brand started as a way to change the cocoa industry. Here, we get an insight into its visual branding and what being a responsible chocolate brand means
How I Got Here: Brian Rea
Modern Love illustrator Brian Rea recounts a childhood filled with stories, shares the struggles of embracing his style and tells CR why words have gained a new importance for him later in his career
The BakeKing’s hyperrealistic cake creations
Ben Cullen has built up a cult following for his mesmerising illusion cakes, which have appeared everywhere from Slowthai’s recent music video to Jurgen Klopp’s birthday party. He talks about how his career journey took him from graphic design to tattooing to cake artistry
Oxford Circus’s tube signs are now PlayStation-themed
TfL’s hallowed roundel has been transformed into the iconic PlayStation symbols, as part of a stunt to celebrate the launch of Sony’s latest console
Teenagers dress for proms that never happened in Alys Tomlinson’s Lost Summer
The photographer’s portraits of teenagers, taken after the cancellation of milestone events such as proms and graduations, emphasise the impact of 2020’s summer lockdown
Can an algorithm unpick gender bias in storytelling?
A new illustrated book of classic fairytales uses technology to illuminate gender bias by reversing the gender of the characters and narratives
Irvine Welsh on creativity and cancel culture
The author explores the rise of cancel culture in new documentary Offended by Irvine Welsh, where he discusses the threat that the phenomenon poses to the creative industries and why he thinks Trainspotting wouldn’t be published today
Stanley Donwood takes uplifting new artworks to the streets
The artist and long-time Radiohead collaborator has left his “depressing flyposters” behind in favour of new artworks designed to spread joy in ten cities across the UK
The theatrics of Lucy Prebble
Following the release of her explosive phone-hack series I Hate Suzie, Lucy Prebble talks about her belief that every story benefits from a little drama, and how an ongoing infatuation with tech inspired her to write for video games
Logos are losing their taches for Movember
Julius Pringles and Colonel Sanders have both been subjected to a shave to celebrate the month-long Movember challenge
