Exposure: Sasha Arutyunova
Following an upbringing split between Russia and the US, Sasha Arutyunova uses photography to help create connection and intimacy. Gem Fletcher speaks to her about her practice
How Wieden+Kennedy became the first B Corp ad agency network
Part of a move towards creating a more sustainable business, CR speaks to the company about the challenges that come with achieving certification and how it’s adapting its practices
What’s next for 3D billboards?
We’ve recently seen a glut of exciting billboards demonstrate the magic of 3D. Here, Thomas Valente, ECD of Inertia Studios, examines how creatives can help move the medium beyond a gimmick
How Picnic’s own brand label revolutionises the food shop
The tech-focused supermarket brand has collaborated with design consultancy Big Fish on its own brand goods. Here we talk to the agency about the process
How dyslexia-friendly fonts are rewriting the book
We talk to the team behind Lexend, a typeface that is making reading easier for those with dyslexia, and explore whether all fonts should be designed with accessibility in mind
Why UX writers need to be chameleons
As UX writing continues to grow, we hear from Foolproof’s Jennifer Thompson about whether long-form ever works when writing for an interface, how UX writers can satisfy accessibility criteria, and how language feeds into dark UX
The rise of abstract logos
Many brands are ditching their well trodden logos in favour of a more abstract approach. Here we unpack this trend and examine whether legibility should be a concern
The art of writing a brief
We look into why briefs are so imperative to get right, the difference between advertising and design briefs, and whether visuals have any place in them
Why branding will be vital in the AI race
Pentagram partner Jody Hudson-Powell discusses the visual language that is emerging around AI, and the importance of brand when it comes to building trust in the rapidly developing technology
Why do we all use the same buzzwords?
When talking about creative people and work, we often use stock phrases and words to describe things. So how do we make sure our ‘blue sky thinking’ is understood?
Why brands are embracing the language of Gen Z
Brands both large and small are leaning into a more subversive tone of voice to appeal to Gen Z audiences. But does the trend suggest we need to rethink our obsession with age demographics altogether?
The serious business of wordplay
The power of puns is all too often overlooked in advertising, argues We Are Pi ECD Rick Chant, who points out that they can be political as well as amusing
Titi Finlay on social, storytelling and sneaker culture
The social media maven and artist discusses the importance of social and content in getting audiences to “believe” in brands, plus how an obsession with sneakers has guided her career
Manchester’s love letter to the Barcelona design scene
First launched in 2013, Dave Sedgwick’s event uniting Manchester with Barcelona returns this week for its swansong. He discusses the parallels between the two cities and the realities of producing an event alongside the day job
Why words can make or break brands
We speak to Rae Boocock at content and communications agency Sonder & Tell about the ongoing battle to avoid clichéd language, and why storytelling isn’t just for the marketing team
How to write a great advertising slogan
Here, our advertising correspondent breaks down the methodology for creating a great slogan, by examining some of the iconic endlines of the past. But is there really a formula for brilliant creative work?
From Form on the joy of finding your niche
We speak to the husband-and-wife studio about how their hands-on practice manages to straddle art and commercial worlds, and why being signed didn’t feel right for them
The return of the serif
After taking an extended sabbatical from the world of branding, serif typefaces are suddenly back in favour. We speak to type designer Lynne Yun and F37 founder Rick Banks about what that means
How creativity can help demystify unfamiliar concepts
Bas Korsten, global CCO at Wunderman Thompson, talks about using creativity to challenge people to think outside what they know, and why human ideas are still unmatched by AI
How wayfinding could make us happier and healthier
Signage plays a critical practical role in the public realm, but is it living up to its creative potential? We discuss how wayfinding can establish a more joyful and emotional connection with the world
Sesame Workshop on how design is helping its mission
The non-profit has just released an updated look and feel, in part to separate it slightly from Sesame Street, which is one of a number of projects it works on. Here, we get the back story to the new branding, and the workshop’s wider work
Jungle and WeTransfer are reimagining the album campaign
We speak to WeTransfer creative director Matt Skibiak about collaborating on Jungle’s new visual album, and how the experience fed into its own brand campaign which peeks behind the curtain of the creative process
How much should arts unis be pushing purpose?
Do art and design universities have a responsibility to drive social purpose or is it a distraction for students? We hear from UAL’s chief social purpose officer Polly Mackenzie, designer Sana Iqbal, and LJMU programme leader Pete Thomas
Eva Cremers is growing up – and so is her work
Much of Eva Cremers’ career so far has been spent building fun 3D worlds for kid’s brands. Here, she discusses why she’s determined to keep challenging perceptions and pushing the boundaries of her practice
How to use animation to tackle taboo subjects
We speak to the brands and creative teams using animation to explore difficult and taboo subjects in the world of health and look at the impact it can have
What is studio culture and why does it matter?
DesignStudio’s Elise Santangelo-Rous balances her role as ECD with a responsibility for improving and adapting its creative culture. She tells CR why that’s so important, and how people’s expectations are changing how the business works
Trifle Studio challenges the notion of who can be a designer
Director Ella Ritchie and studio manager Tom Dorkin talk about their work helping creatives with learning disabilities break down barriers
Ben Tousley on a design career in music
After spending two decades dreaming up record sleeves, the New York-based designer reflects on the changing state of the music industry, and why it needs a visual roadmap now more than ever