Magazine covers of the year 2023
The power of the magazine cover was highlighted once again this year, with evocative and entertaining designs addressing everything from the future of work to the cult of Jennifer Coolidge
Record sleeves of the year 2023
Linocut and collage techniques appear in our list of favourite album designs this year, alongside photographic covers taking us to spiritual places
Trends of 2023: The year in photography
This year brought significant challenges to the photography industry, with AI, the writers’ strike, and a slowdown in commissioning all impacting opportunities. But there were wonderful exhibitions too
Trends of 2023: The year in branding
This year, designers sought to bring warmth to tech brands and evolve sexual wellness tropes, all while reckoning with questions around legacy and originality
Music videos of the year 2023
This year rich storytelling and elaborate in-person shoots were favoured, and of course the creative possibilities of AI were utilised in our pick of the 10 best promos of the year
Trends of 2023: The year in advertising
This year the ad industry manged to create some great work in between threats to the agency model, Barbie fever, and the realities of the cost of living crisis
Games of the year 2023
This year saw compelling additions to iconic gaming franchises as well as exciting new entrants to the indie game scene. Here are our favourite titles of 2023
Exposure: Simrah Farrukh
The photographer discusses the wide-ranging nature of her work, including the early influence of YouTube as well as complex issues of patriarchy, family and history
Movie posters of the year 2023
Designer Daniel Benneworth-Gray returns to CR with his annual round-up of the best movie posters this year. Betcha can’t guess what’s up first..?
Is the era of the blockbuster TV ad over?
While a splashy 90-second used to be a sure-fire way for brands to win Christmas or the Super Bowl, the reality of a fragmented media landscape means that even a blockbuster TV ad is just another piece of content now
The star of a new NYC merch range? Rats
Move over, Cats. Rats are more emblematic of New York City according to a new merchandise collection and campaign
Book covers designs of the year 2023
Writer and editor Mark Sinclair reflects on the influence that the digital world has had on our understanding of book cover design, before rounding up his favourite covers of the 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