The best music videos of the year 2021
This year has brought an eclectic mashup of music video styles, with a leaning towards the digital and the psychedelic, perhaps in a reflection of the times. Here’s our pick of the ten best of the year
Zeitgeist: Asafe Ghalib
Asafe Ghalib uses his photography practice as a means of looking outside of himself and lifting up the people around him, resulting in powerful yet intimate portraiture
Trends of 2021: The year in branding and logos
This year has seen some major brand overhauls – some of which were even well received on Twitter – as well as ongoing love for nostalgia, digital minimalism and gradients
Yeye Weller’s new prints implore us to keep smiling
Print shop They Made This enlisted the German artist to bring some cheer to London with a new set of uplifting illustrations
Zeitgeist: Joya Berrow
A commitment to empathetic and honest storytelling drives photographer Joya Berrow’s environmentally focused photography
How the Apple iPod influenced sonic branding
As the iPod turns 20, Joe Belliotti, CEO at MassiveMusic North America, reflects on how Apple used sonic branding to help us get used to a revolutionary new product, and to stand out
Deadline for entries to The Annual is today!
We have extended the deadline for entries to The Annual, Creative Review’s yearly award scheme that celebrates the best work across advertising, design, digital, film & TV production, games and more. The final deadline is now January 14
Figma
How your agency can thrive in a hybrid-working world
Find the sweet spot that works best for your team, clients, and collaborators
Arca’s album visuals merge futurism and ancient symbolism
Artist and collaborator Frederik Heyman talks to us about the making of the visuals across Arca’s string of new albums
The best ads of the year 2021
As the advertising industry wrestled with the fallout of Covid, remote working, and the need to make everyone laugh in difficult times, some brilliant creative work was produced in 2021
Eight advertising projects awarded Grand Prix in Epica Awards 2021
The only awards judged solely by advertising industry journalists from across the world, the Epica Awards has announced its winners for 2021
Zeitgeist: Donavon Smallwood
A project conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown in New York led photographer Donavon Smallwood to explore themes of home, nature and civil rights
Creative Review’s Annual Awards 2025 are officially open for entries
One of the most respected and trusted awards for the advertising and design industries are back for 2025. Run, don’t walk to get your entries in before the Early Bird Deadline on 25 October
How to scale your design business
Growth is a dream for many businesses, but it comes with challenges. Daisy Crowder, brand and marketing director at design recruitment agency Craft, offers advice on how to navigate the change and keep staff on side
Cultivating community with Ganni
The Danish luxury fashion label has spearheaded the characterful evolution of Scandi style. Here, chief brand officer Priya Matadeen discusses its approach to collabs, the pressures of being a responsible brand, and how Ganni Girls grew from a hashtag to a badge of belonging
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 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