Canva is making its pro-design tool Affinity “free forever” in a bid to upend the design software market. The company announced today it is relaunching the tool with “substantial changes” that make Affinity “truly a …
Same, but different – how design studios approach recurring briefs
Design thrives on the thrill of the new. So what happens when a studio is asked to work on a brief again, and again, and again? These “returning briefs” ask creatives to revisit the same …
“Change takes time” – Inside the Humanise campaign against boring buildings
In October 2023, Thomas Heatherwick announced his Humanise campaign, to rid the world of boring soulless buildings. It’s fair to say it launched with a fanfare, as well as a book, a three-part Radio 4 …
“Three years of X: The power (and peril) of radical brand reinvention”
I’m sure you’ve heard the tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes? A fable of a ruler so convinced of his own genius, he strutted naked through the streets while the crowd looked on, incredulously. Silly, …
Thonik’s new identity for Schiphol Airport turns down the noise
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is a world in motion. Every month, around six million people pass through its halls, served by 94 airlines connecting the Netherlands to the world. Following a sharp rise in post-pandemic traffic, …
We need to talk about the GOV.UK redesign (again)
International Men’s Day is on November 19. I know this because for many years on International Women’s Day, the comedian Richard Herring would reply to every snarky tweet wondering – erroneously – why men weren’t …
“As AI becomes AGI, design has a critical role to play”
For decades, the creative industries have answered the call. We’ve designed for sustainability, for accessibility, for inclusivity, for social change. Now, a new challenge is on the horizon. AI is already transforming our working lives, …
How is Among Equals using AI?
Among Equals is a London-based creative studio which works on strategy, branding, campaigns for clients like Candy Kittens, Netflix and Vinterior. Here, founder Emily Jeffrey-Barrett explains how they use AI, and how she feels about …
Design business’ confidence “lowest since COVID”
One in five design businesses are anxiously cutting costs, or even struggling to stay afloat, according to a new report. But amid the doom and gloom, there are some reasons to be optimistic. The Design …
design/leader: Studio Blackburn’s Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn is founder and creative lead of Studio Blackburn. The London-based brand agency has worked for the likes of Toyota, Sky and Brompton Bikes. Design What would your monograph be called? The man who …