The new beauty
Reacting to decades of airbrushed gloss, social media and its user-generated aesthetic have propelled beauty brands and influencers into what feels like an unending obsession with showcasing makeup-free realism
Sponsored by Fontsmith
Studio Sense: Font licensing made simple
The market for typefaces has become far too complicated, says Fontsmith’s Jason Smith. Here’s how to keep things simple.
Studio Sense: Introducing our second issue
In October last year we launched the Studio Sense supplement with advice on running your creative business. Here’s what you can expect in the second issue
Lead like a girl
As more women are finally beginning to take on senior roles in the advertising industry, Caroline Pay, Deputy ECD at BBH London and one of our Creative Leaders 50, examines what a new – perhaps more feminine – style of leadership might look like
This Brutal World: a loving homage to Brutalism from Phaidon and Peter Chadwick
Graphic designer Peter Chadwick’s new book celebrates “the power and beauty” of Brutalist architecture, with images of iconic buildings from around the world
Design Indaba emerging creatives: Kristin-Lee Moolman
In partnership with Design Indaba, we are highlighting the work of South African creatives on our blog over the next few weeks. This week, it’s Kristin-Lee Moolman, a talented photographer and film-maker based in Johannesburg
Farrow for the Manic Street Preachers: Remembering Everything
A 20th anniversary box set of the Manic Street Preachers’ classic album Everything Must Go preserves both musical and graphic design history
How the Toronto Symphony Orchestra uses graphic design to guide audiences
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s ‘listening guides’ make use of symbols and morse code-like notation to aid the experience of a live performance. We talked to their creator, Hannah Chan-Hartley, about how she is helping the TSO to visualise its repertoire
From Game of Thrones to gaming: how Northern Ireland became a creative hub
Game of Thrones now contributes £30m a year to the Northern Irish economy, but, thanks to the work of Northern Ireland Screen, the creative industries’ growth in the region goes way beyond just one TV show. We talk to CEO Richard Williams about attracting creative talent and supporting culture and education in Belfast and beyond
CR redesigned
The June issue of Creative Review launches a comprehensive redesign of the printed magazine, complete with new sections, typography and grid designed by CR’s Art Director Paul Pensom and editorial expert Stephen Petch. Here, we explain the redesign and how it complements our new direction
CR June: new issue, new look and the Creative Leaders 50
Yes, we’ve had a redesign, with a new look, new sections and a new focus on what it takes to be a creative leader
D&AD Next Photographer winner Tam Hoi Ying on challenging censorship in China
Hong Kong-Chinese photographer Tam Hoi Ying has received this year’s D&AD Next Photographer Award, in partnership with Getty Images, for a series which raises awareness of issues surrounding freedom of speech and human rights in China. Here, she discusses her work and how she hopes to challenge censorship
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