The designers at the Royal Mint have recently made special edition coins to celebrate everything from the Platinum Jubilee to Pride to the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. Hazel Davis talks to them about how they are made...
A century after his birth, a new book examines Otl Aicher’s design legacy
Prestel has released a new book on the seminal work of German graphic designer and typographer Otl Aicher (1922-1991) to mark the centenary of his birth. Most known for founding the influential Ulm School of Design, and for the pictographs he designed for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, this publication also explores his achievements beyond the world of design,...
Émile-Samory Fofana’s tribute to West African football fans
When Émile-Samory Fofana began his series Champions League Koulikoro four years ago, it became the turning point in his creative trajectory. “It’s the project that first drew me towards photography,” he tells CR. “Before that, I was working mainly in video, but I wanted to create a specific body of work and photography was the best way to put these...
The changing face of crypto
A more sophisticated approach to branding and marketing is bringing crypto to new audiences. But with a ‘crypto winter’ looming, should creatives be helping to legitimise what is still a highly volatile market?...
TVNZ ad campaign offers a lesson in the perils of streaming
Created by Dentsu Creative, and directed by Sweetshop’s Damien Shatford, the enjoyably silly campaign shows just what it can ‘cost you’ if you get too hooked on streaming TV. Each spot features impeccable performances, as a bank heist, mafia hit, and romantic declaration all take an unexpected turn due to the addictive power of TVNZ+. “The work was built off...
The specialist studios tackling sustainable goals
We talk to two dedicated studios directly addressing sustainability about why they were set up and whether competitiveness is counterintuitive in this space...
Felix Richter on his journey through adland
Droga5 New York’s former CCO discusses moving both agencies and countries for his new role at Mother London, and the lessons he’s learned along the way...
Penguin announces the winners of its 2022 Cover Design Awards
Penguin is of course renowned for its cover designs, meaning that competition for its awards is fierce. This year there are three categories: Adult Fiction, Adult Non-Fiction and Children’s, with participants invited to reimagine the covers for titles by Bernardine Evaristo, Dara McAnulty, and Robin Stevens. Over 1,500 entries were received this year, with the publisher opening up the award...
Why social media loves chaos
Last month, a climate activist attacked the Mona Lisa with cake. The vandalism, which went viral, doesn’t tell us much about climate change, but it says a lot about the enduring appeal of chaos...
Setting up a creative agency? Here’s some money advice
From upfront costs to whether it’s worth shelling out for a studio space, we chat to creative studios about the financial side of setting up shop...
America’s least favourite fish gets a rebrand
Ever heard of Patagonian toothfish? Slimehead? Peekytoe crab? All of these none-too-delicious-sounding fish have been the subjects of successful rebranding campaigns, becoming Chilean sea bass, Orange roughy, and mud crab, in a bid to get people eating them. Chicago-based practice Span Studio is hoping it can work some similar magic on Asian Carp – an invented, catch-all name for various...
JeeYoung Lee on building fantasy origami worlds
One of South Korea’s most promising creatives talents, JeeYoung Lee’s unique approach to world-building has been featured by the likes of the New York Times and earned her commissions from brands including Hermès, Samsung and Tiger Beer. Inspired by her mother’s own oil paintings, Lee dreamed of becoming an artist when she was growing up. As an undergraduate, she regularly...