Vincenzo Ragona began his career in design learning from YouTube videos but – via a degree at Ravensbourne – is now working with clients including Jamie xx and Apple Music. He explains his hopes for a changing industry...
John Lewis’ festive ad shows a different side of a family Christmas
We’re all well used to John Lewis tugging on the nation’s heartstrings when it comes to the Christmas ad season. Last year brought a change in tack from the retailer’s tried and tested cute character formula, telling the story of a young space traveller called Skye. In the wake of another challenging 12 months, this time around its festive campaign...
In praise of silliness
Providing the perfect antidote to our serious times, Leanne Rule’s illustrations and animations have caught the eye of everyone from femcare brand Libresse to the makers of Love Island...
The beauty and chaos of the UFC brand
In 30 years, mixed martial arts organisation Ultimate Fighting Championship has gone from scrappy upstart to entertainment behemoth, and a big part of that is down to branding...
An overdue look at influential female sleeve designer Gee Vaucher
Record sleeves and album artwork are often cited as the things that get people into graphic design – or even get people knowing what the discipline is in the first place. For many, they’re the most obvious site where art meets commerce; where collaboration between a particular visual artist and musician(s) becomes evident. As such, there’s certainly an established, if...
Maira Kalman’s new book explores the many things women ‘hold’
Building on a limited edition booklet of work that she released last year, titled Women Holding Things, American artist Maira Kalman has published another book of the same name, featuring all of the images from the original, plus 67 new pieces. Working with the same concept, Kalman explores the complexity of women’s lives, understanding their roles in society and the...
Magic saves the day in NRMA Insurance’s new ads
Australian company NRMA Insurance has joined forces with Sydney-based creative studio Bear Meets Eagle On Fire for a new national campaign. Going out across cinema and television, and alongside large-format OOH and press, the core of the campaign comprises two 60-second short films that open up a new world of storytelling for the brand. Titled Runaway and Duel, the films...
Creating an authentic voice
Accra-based photographer David Nana Opoku Ansah has carved out a style that is thoughtful and evocative. Here he talks about teaching himself his craft and the challenges facing African creatives...
Why small projects can be beautiful
Since graduating in 2020, Manchester-based designer Alice Fraser has forged a path in research-driven design, and in advocating for a more inclusive industry...
Tesco’s Christmas ad is a cheeky swipe at the UK’s political permacrisis
It came as no surprise to anyone when Collins dictionary announced that it’s word of the year for 2022 was ‘permacrisis’. With the UK on its third prime minister this year, plus a cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine, the climate disaster, and the knock-on effects of Brexit, it’s hardly been a year to savour. But you’ve got to...
What marketers really want from agencies
A survey of 500 CMOs by Dentsu Creative will make salutary reading for agencies, but also reveals how central creativity and design are to business, says Patricia McDonald, chief strategy director at Dentsu Creative...
Lidl’s festive ad stars a shrunken Christmas jumper and a deadpan teddy bear
The Christmas ad season is no stranger to cute characters, as brands attempt to tap into consumers’ sentimental sides. John Lewis has put a festive spin on everything from baby dragons to oversized monsters over the years, while M&S’ animated version of Percy Pig proved to be one of last year’s biggest hits. This year, Lidl has entered the cute-off...