The Blank Space author explains why the algorithm, the rise of right-wing politics and our general desire to always be liked have led to culture losing its edge. But don’t worry, there is a way out...
Photographer Tom Johnson captures the art of Butoh
Butoh is an avant-garde dance form that emerged in post-war Japan in opposition to the growing influence of Western culture. Its movements are slow, primal and unrestrained. Dancers paint their bodies white and contort into ghostly figures, becoming “vessels for something beyond themselves”. Photographer Tom Johnson was introduced to Butoh by his friend Mari Ohashi around six years ago. Source...
Lidl launches its latest covetable high fashion bag, courtesy of artist Nik Bentel
Made from industrial stainless steel, the Trolley Bag emulates the design of the supermarket’s full size trolleys and launched during The Lidl Fresh Drop event in the capital. Incorporating a trolley handlebar, it features a keychain coin fob, which can connect to real in-store Lidl shopping carts. The collaboration is the supermarket’s second project with Bentel and his New York-based...
The Conversation: The growing case for human-AI creativity
As AI continues to gain cultural momentum, the real question isn’t what it can do but how human intent can shape the work it produces. Here, three experts working across education, tech and design explore the opportunities and risks...
The rise and rise of the stunt product
From cod fillets to phone cases, brands are using real products, not gimmicks, to create cultural relevance and fandom. And, unlike other stunt advertising, it’s all about longevity...
Night-time ice cream brand Snooz launches with suitably dreamy identity
According to research, 60% of ice cream is consumed after 6pm. Given that any spikes in sugar intake can affect people’s sleep, Snooz has been developed to be consumed in the later hours. In place of emulsifiers and E numbers, it contains a sleep-friendly mix of camomile, theanine, magnesium and lemon balm. “We looked at tonnes of ice cream brands...
Hargreaves Lansdown turns Downing Street drama into biggest brand push yet
At a time when financial services brands are significantly increasing their TV advertising spend, Hargreaves Lansdown has launched its most ambitious campaign to date in a bid to stand out from the competition. Created by Wonderhood Studios, newly appointed as the investment firm’s creative agency partner, Helping Britain Invest Through It All arrives after a significant year for the business…...
Koto builds characterful retro-futurist world for MachineX
Global creative studio Koto has unveiled a comprehensive brand evolution for MachineX, the decentralised exchange positioning itself at the centre of the so-called Machine Economy. If that sounds like dense Web3 jargon, that’s precisely the challenge Koto set out to solve. MachineX is built on peaq’s blockchain technology and enables humans and machines to trade everything from DePIN utility… Source...
Aidan Zamiri on the art of turning promotion into performance
The Moment director and frequent Charli XCX collaborator chats reframing Brat Summer, firing ping pong balls at Timothée Chalamet and why controlling your image now matters as much as the work itself...
What Olympic branding teaches us about emotional design
At every Olympics, brand identities come under scrutiny. Here, Teemu Suviala, global CCO at Landor, argues that brand value is created not in identity systems, but in the moments that move people...
What Olympics branding teaches us about emotional design
At every Olympics, brand identities come under scrutiny. Here, Teemu Suviala, global CCO at Landor, argues that brand value is created not in identity systems, but in the moments that move people...
Two new Roe Ethridge photobooks reveal his punchy, provocative style
Marseille-based independent publisher Loose Joints has kicked off the SS26 season with two new releases by renowned American photographer Roe Ethridge. Known for his conceptually-led work that spans fashion, advertising, portraiture and daily life, Ethridge is a leading figure in the contemporary photography scene and a practitioner working at the forefront of the medium. The first of the two… Source...