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
Are copyright battles destroying creativity?
In an industry where people are often badly paid, it’s important to protect the ownership of creative work and ideas. But is this leading to a litigious culture that will ultimately suppress creativity? Richard Holman examines both sides of the question
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
Will the metaverse improve access to the creative industry?
The metaverse offers exciting possibilities for education, including the potential for more diverse access to the creative industries. But only if it’s built with inclusivity at its heart, writes Ally Owen, founder of Brixton Finishing School
Why channelling your inner child could help your creativity
Nobody likes to look stupid in meetings, but sometimes asking seemingly dumb questions or admitting you don’t understand something can unlock better creative work, says Julian Harriman-Dickinson
What does net zero mean for the creative industry?
Coffee & TV’s first sustainability manager, Holly Arnold, discusses the challenges of decarbonising the business and the confusion around what net zero actually requires
Joe Guest on how to make it as an editor
The renowned advertising editor talks us through the changing nature of the job, plus shares some of his favourite moments, including cutting a Nike spot on a bin outside a Peckham chicken shop
Harry Ead on leaving – and going back to – DixonBaxi
While returning to a previous place of work can sometimes be viewed as a step backwards for career progression, creative director Harry Ead’s experience has been quite the opposite. Here, he tells us why
The evolution of design education and learning
Design institutions need to forge better connections between schools, communities and the industry, says D&AD president Rebecca Wright
In search of an ending
Should brands be considering what happens at the end of a product’s life as much as its beginning? Designer Joe Macleod thinks so
The do’s and don’ts of creative side hustles
Three creatives share advice on how to start (and stick with) a side hustle – from balancing it alongside your day job to ensuring you are doing it for the right reasons
How to shake off the demon of convention
In this extract from his new book, Creative Demons and How to Slay Them, Richard Holman examines the lure of convention and how to summon original thought
Why Creativity Matters: How to get creative with branded content
The latest talk in our virtual event series explores how branded content can resonate with audiences. Register now to join us on May 17
Butterkist brings giant microwaves to billboards across the UK
The new campaign promotes Butterkist’s microwavable popcorn while reminding people it’s the go-to snack for high drama and gossip
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
Creativity Sucks! returns for a new series
Creative Review’s podcast is back and on a mission to tackle the most thorny questions facing creatives and brands today. In this episode we look at whether rebrands are worth the money
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
Royal British Legion reveals plastic-free poppy design
Design consultancy Matter has created a fully recyclable paper redesign of the charity’s symbolic poppy, which previously used plastic
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?
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
Fanta unveils bubbly global branding
Illustrations and typography enhance the soft drink’s first global brand identity, which aims to bring consistency to its designs around the world
Pepsi reveals new branding that nods to its past
The soft drinks brand has announced a new visual identity ahead of its 125th anniversary later this year
Pentagram creates identity for cannabis brand Ben’s Best Blnz
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has launched a cannabis brand designed by Pentagram’s Eddie Opara. We speak to them about what the brand stands for
