Special edition
As HMV moves away from selling physical music releases in favour of tech gadgetry, smaller independent shops and canny labels are keeping the physical product alive and kicking
Press play: the future of music magazines
Mainstream music magazines may no longer be as vital to fans as they once were, but a new wave of independent titles is keeping the relationship alive
CR presents: your labels of choice
The majors may be abandoning great graphic design, but independent labels around the world are commissioning sleeve art every bit as idiosyncratic as the music they release. We asked our Twitter followers to nominate their favourites, our pick of which are featured here. In addition, each label has chosen a song for our CR soundtrack: listen while reading
When it sounds alike, it often looks alike
Releases in music’s more obscure genres often share both a sonic and a visual aesthetic, helping listeners to tell their IDM from their hypnagogic pop
Your song? It’s just a jingle in waiting
Smiths fans may have been appalled at the use of one of the band’s songs in a John Lewis ad, but the Pavlovian power of pop makes it ripe for exploitation
A great symbol for a great cymbal
Zildjian can trace its roots back to the 17th century Ottoman Empire. Its calligraphic logo is a reminder that here is a brand with real heritage
Loud, vibrant and hep: sleeve art, Jamaican style
Jamaica’s Studio One label produced a range of music from ska to dub and gospel, its album cover art reflecting this heady mix of styles
Sleeves Received
The Wire’s Sleeves Received Tumblr was launched in summer 2011 in order to showcase examples of the kind of bespoke packaging and idiosyncratic sleeve art which emerges from the various underground/alternative music scenes reported on by the magazine
Jonathan Ive to be knighted
Apple’s designer Jonathan Ive is to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List. Ive has said that he is “both humbled and sincerely grateful” for the award.
Your song? It’s just a jingle in waiting
Smiths fans may have been appalled at the use of one of the band’s songs in a John Lewis ad, but the Pavlovian power of pop makes it ripe for exploitation
D&AD 50: 1966, British Rail
To mark its 50th birthday, D&AD is delving into its archive to highlight significant pieces of work that have featured in the awards. We will be publishing one a week. This time, it’s the turn of Design Research Unit’s radically modern symbol for British Rail, first awarded by D&AD in 1966
It’s the CR Quiz of the Year
It’s coming to the end of another year in the wonderful world of visual communications. Time to test your knowledge of who did what in the CR Quiz of the Year.
We’ve divided the questions up into the months of the year. If you’re stuck for an answer, you can find them all by digging around either in this website or in your back issues of the printed magazine. Best of luck. Answers to be revealed in the New Year.
Why are brands apologising so much right now?
Brands are saying sorry at a more rapid rate than ever. CR’s advertising columnist Ben Kay delves into why sorry is no longer the hardest word and whether this is an effective strategy for winning audiences
How Guinness embraced social
By loosening its approach to advertising, and engaging with its audience directly, the drinks brand has transformed with the times and won a whole new set of fans
Tracing Banksy’s art history remixes
Kelly Grovier’s new book charts the artist’s persistent dialogue with classic and contemporary art
How Lego creates meaningful brand experiences
We speak to Lego’s VP of global brand development Alero Akuya about the brand’s rare ability to straddle the physical and virtual worlds with ease – whether through its immersive new art exhibition in Paris or collaborations with Epic Games and Nike
Matt Willey brings a human touch to Kaos titles
The Pentagram partner has created the titles for the acclaimed new Netflix show, which reimagines the Greek myths in a contemporary setting
A visual history of movie posters
A new book from Reel Art Press collates the first comprehensive history of film posters. We explore why they remain an underappreciated area of cultural design
The Leaders Issue is out now!
The Autumn 2024 issue of Creative Review looks at the brands and individuals who are pushing creativity forward on their way to the top
The Monthly Interview: Rob Lowe, aka Supermundane
Mark Sinclair talks to the artist and designer about his new book, Lost Ordinary Magic, and the importance of recognising the power of simplicity and the everyday wonders that surround us
Unravelling adland’s obsession with 90s nostalgia
We explore how the 90s, an era the UK looks favourably upon for its thriving culture, are continually inspiring a stagnated creative industry
Building the visual world of Fontaines DC
The band’s surreal new album visuals explore a darker, more grotesque side of romance. We speak to the creative team behind the campaign about challenging the visual tropes of rock music
Jessica Walsh ventures into the world of type
As the &Walsh founder launches her agency’s new offshoot Type of Feeling, she discusses why typography’s ability to evoke emotions makes it one of the most powerful tools at a brand’s disposal
Can neuroscience make you a better creative?
Kinda Studios is tapping into the emerging field of neuroaesthetics to help creatives and brands make more impactful work that benefits people’s wellbeing