The typecast artist
After years of neglect, the work of French type designer and adman Roger Excoffon is enjoying renewed interest. Jean Grogan reports from a conference about his work
Ads of the Week
Our collection of great new ads this week includes work for Old Spice, BMW, Greene King IPA, and the new Hobbit film. First up though is a cheeky little Christmas film for Maille gourmet mustard…
A type of blue – the typographic covers of Blue Note
Blue Note record sleeves have provided jazz with many of its most enduring photographic images. As it turns 75, a new history of the label shows that it was no slouch when it came to covering its music in wild typographic expression, courtesy of graphic designer, Reid Miles
A little film about Thomas Burden
Handsome Frank has released the latest in its ‘A little film about’ series, profiling illustrators represented by the agency. The new film features CG artist Thomas Burden, who discusses his work, influences and life in Chichester with his cat Cortez…
See The Unseen’s Emporium at Somerset House
In the December issue of CR, we speak to the founder of The Unseen, an “exploration house” using science, technology and traditional craft to create products that change colour in response to the environment. The company has now launched an emporium at London’s Somerset House, housing bespoke designs, colour-changing gifts and accessories and a piece of clothing that can read your aura…
Wild Beasts create a gif novel with Mattis Dovier
Mattis Dovier has created a ‘gif novel’, set to the soundtrack of two unreleased songs by Wild Beasts. He has collaborated closely with the band to create the work, which is released online next month. We talk to Dovier about the project, and share four exclusive gifs from it here…
New type from Sawdust, Fontsmith, Benoît Bodhuin & more
Our latest monthly pick of great new type designs, projects and events includes a bespoke typeface for fashion blog Nasty Gal, type in motion at Liverpool’s FACT gallery, skeletal letterforms from Sawdust and a lovely animated film promoting Font Font’s Open Type Web Fonts.
Weight Watchers takes unusual approach with new ad
Our relationship with food is a complex one, as this new ad for Weight Watchers from Wieden + Kennedy Portland points out…
TEDxAmsterdam launches the Human Clock
To promote the forthcoming TEDxAmsterdam conference, agency We Are Pi has created the Human Clock, a digital timepiece filled with faces from all over the world…
How our December cover was created
The cover of our December Photography Annual issue features a new digital finishing technique developed by Precision Printing that creates a high-build, super glossy finish
Eight of the best Christmas window displays
With Christmas shopping season well underway, department stores on both sides of the Atlantic have transformed their windows with elaborate festive displays. Here’s a look at some of the finest we’ve seen so far…
How to land that dream job and more student advice
As founder of creative community The Dots, Pip Jamieson knows a thing or two about getting started in the creative industries. Here’s her (extremely comprehensive) guide for students and graduates looking to land that dream job, plus some Advice to Sink in Slowly
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