In-House Agency Leaders Club
Motivate your team to achieve creative excellence in-house
Jenni Harrison of Gymshark, Vicky Hope of LOOP Agencies and Kelly McConville of digital bank N26 share their insights for elevating in-house work
Advertising campaigns of the year 2023
While adland grappled with a heady mix of AI, Barbie, mergers, and the cost of living crisis, it also produced some damn fine campaigns in 2023. Here’s our favourites of the year
Call of Duty marks 20 years with a fresh look
The cult game franchise’s refined branding was developed by design studio Koto over the course of a two-year collaboration
Why do ‘boring’ companies suddenly care about branding?
After an influx of compelling design from unexpected sectors, we ask why it’s happening, if it’s really going to make CEOs happy, and discuss the lessons still to learn from the corporate identities of yesteryear
Ikea branches out into the fitness space
The Swedish retail giant is launching a versatile workout range that’s designed to be equally hardworking in people’s homes
The evolution of brand purpose
This year saw the most enduring trend of the past decade take a bashing, with significant voices in the industry turning against it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the end of purpose just yet
New photo series shows what Christmas dinner looks like for the homeless
While many of us are currently obsessing about planning an epic Christmas meal, this unusual photo campaign for charity Soup Kitchen reminds us of how difficult the season can be for the homeless
The rise of motion in design
The use of motion design and animation in brand identities has reached an all-time high. Here, CR looks into what can be achieved by adding movement to projects and what the limitations can be
Talou’s cut-out identity evokes childhood crafts
The branding for the children’s knitwear company strikes a balance between playfulness and sophistication
Studio Sutherl& looks to nature for Silicon Valley design project
A Californian Sequoia tree informed the design concept for De.Coded, a multidisciplinary project that builds a detailed picture of the world’s largest technology hub using DNA mapping and oral histories
Introducing the winners of the Epica Awards 2023
This year’s six Grand Prix awards went to projects as diverse as a digital tool to help Ukrainian refugees find work and a meatball made from cultured mammoth meat
How brands have adapted to the cost of living crisis
Financial pressures continued to impact people’s spending habits this year, while brands made their own cutbacks and placed renewed emphasis on value in response
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