BBC Three’s new logo, devised by Red Bee Media
To be completely honest, we’re rather sad here in CR towers at the thought of the imminent demise of the cone-shaped blobby creatures (devised by Aardman Animation for Lambie Nairn’s original BBC Three branding package, delivered almost exactly five years ago) that moved and grooved to the sound of Three Is The Magic Number…
Over-ambitious expansion and over-reliance on one product nearly ruined Uniqlo, but now, thanks to employing an array of creative talent, the Japanese retailer is back in style. By Michael Fitzpatrick
Still from one of two new ads written by BBH and directed by National Television of Not To Scale for new homeowner loan comapany, Fair & Square
Let’s face it: the Homeowner Loan sector isn’t well known for its beautifully crafted television advertising. Unless, of course, you feel magically transfixed by seeing Carol Vorderman endorsing the consolidation of all your existing debts by taking out a FirstPlus loan – or cinematically wowed by the ad in which a particularly annoying, apparently football-obsessed wastrel proclaims, “You can really talk to those people at Picture”, while his wife films him on a video recorder they clearly should never have bought…
Detail from Joe Biel’s graphite on paper work, Pistol, which forms part of a new group
show at Nettie Horn in London
The Nettie Horn gallery in London has just launched a group show entitled The Clearing. Featuring the work of four different artists, the exhibition includes the bleak graphite offerings of LA-based artist Joe Biel. Clearly a master with a pencil, Biel’s work doesn’t simply exude technical ability but, rather, hints at deeper, more sinister themes: skulls, guns and, er, rabbits with their backs turned (spooky!) all feature in his intruiging drawings, on show at the gallery.
A new Japanese language edition of Guerrilla Advertising: Unconventional Brand Communication (written by CR’s Gavin Lucas, art directed by Mike Dorrian and originally published by Laurence King) has just been published by Tokyu Agency Inc in Japan…
Problem: how to reduce the wild fires that ravage Table Mountain every summer. Solution: install wooden fire extinguishers that are completely useless. It’s not as dumb as it sounds…
Ross Phillips’ video for Coleen by The Heavy
To help you while away the final hours of the working week, here is some of the splendid work that we’ve been looking at in CR towers recently. First up is the Radar Music Video awards, the festival promoting up-and-coming promos directors, now in its second year. Entrants were given a list of tracks to create videos for, from bands including The Good, The Bad and The Queen and Kylie, and with prizes including mentorships with production companies Black Dog, Draw and the Directors Bureau on offer, competition was tough.
The Aquaduct, designed by Adam Mack, Brian Mason, John Lai, Paul Silberschatz, and Eleanor Morgan
In last November’s issue of Creative Review, we reported on a new ad campaign/contest that had been set up by US ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in collaboration with Specialized bikes and Google. Called the Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine contest, the competition challenged participants to create a pedal power solution for offsettng climate change. Entrants were then requested to film their invention in action and place the movie on YouTube.
More information is slowly leaking out about the Design Museum’s Designs of the Year show – we now have the complete Graphics shortlist
Skins series 2 trailer, Director: Neil Gorringe. Art director: Alice Tonge. Production designers: Carl Sprague and Skyhook. Production company: 4Creative.
Skins, the Channel 4 teen drama series which is guaranteed to make you feel that your own adolescence was extremely banal and provincial, is back with a second series next month, and its return is marked by this moody, cinematic trailer. The film is directed by Neil Gorringe, who was also behind the first trailer for the programme, yet in contrast to the upbeat, party atmosphere of that trail, this one suggests that the lives of the Skins protagonists have got very dark indeed. CR talked to Gorringe about making the film.
CR is quietly chuffed to announce that two of our projects have been chosen for the Design Museum’s new Designs of the Year exhibition “showcasing the best work in architecture and design in the last 12 months”. The December Monograph (spread shown above) and Peter Saville’s sticker from our February issue will both be in the show.
Among the highlights of this year’s Wallpaper* Design Awards, announced at a stylish (natch) dinner last night, is Lucienne Roberts’ letterhead and stationery for former British PM, Tony Blair
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
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
Kelly Grovier’s new book charts the artist’s persistent dialogue with classic and contemporary art
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
The Pentagram partner has created the titles for the acclaimed new Netflix show, which reimagines the Greek myths in a contemporary setting
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 Autumn 2024 issue of Creative Review looks at the brands and individuals who are pushing creativity forward on their way to the top
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
We explore how the 90s, an era the UK looks favourably upon for its thriving culture, are continually inspiring a stagnated creative industry
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
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
Kinda Studios is tapping into the emerging field of neuroaesthetics to help creatives and brands make more impactful work that benefits people’s wellbeing