A most distinctive corporate typeface
Commissioned 100 years ago, Edward Johnston’s eponymous classic has become the longest serving and best-loved corporate typeface of all time. Gavin Lucas investigates the secrets of its enduring appeal
Instant recognition
There’s no logo, packshot or even a headline in this ad, yet it still manages to include a full product demonstration
Onward and upward
The Underground’s communications team has a harder job than its predecessors, but it is keen to build on past creative excellence
A logo for London
Parisian street signs, bull’s eyes and, perhaps, a total eclipse of the sun all played a part in the story of the Underground’s roundel. Michael Evamy reports
The art of conversation
Working alone has plenty of advantages, but talking to kitchen appliances doesn’t usually help with inspiration
The tube design Spotter’s Guide
writer, blogger and public transport devotee Ian Jones launched his new blog, 150 Great Things About the Underground, in time for the Tube network’s 150th anniversary year. As a keen-eyed recorder of the little details that make the Underground what it is, Jones has chosen ten things for CR readers to look out for on a design spotting day out. He is midway through his list of 150 at 150great-thingsabouttheunderground.com
Egypt’s Political Grafitti
Photographer Adam Hinton documented the street art and graffiti arising from the Arab Spring in Cairo
Victionary’s book of gilty pleasures
Designed to resemble an ingot of gold, the third book in Victionary’s Palette series (which collate design projects that utilise a particular approach to colour) just landed on my desk: Gold & Silver, New Metallic Graphics…
Copyright done right
Setting the mandatory page of copyright text is one of the more mundane tasks faced by a book designer – unless you are Louise Fili
HOME to Manchester
By 2014, Manchester’s famous Cornerhouse centre and Library Theatre Company will be based in their new, aptly named site, HOME. But the nascent arts organisation already has a new identity system, courtesy of Glasgow’s O Street studio
Kawamura and his dancing sperm
Party’s promo for Japanese channel Space Shower TV featured animated sperm dancing to viewer-chosen tracks, and when it came to sourcing the raw material for the production, the all-male team did it by hand
Some of this week’s ads
A trip down Sony’s memory lane and the life of an Anchor butter kitchen are among adland’s offerings this week
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