2024

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The best new typefaces for December from leading foundries and designers

Creative Boom

Seeking typographical inspiration? These fresh and feisty font releases bring a sense of warmth and character to the festive season. As the festive holiday season approaches, we just have time to share some of the best new typefaces for December. And boy, are they worth checking out. This December, independent type foundries are pushing the boundaries of letterform design, offering a stunning array of typefaces that blend historical inspiration with contemporary innovation.

Fonts 505
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Why accessibility shouldn't compromise on aesthetic

Creative Boom

SomeOne founding partner Simon Manchipp delves into their recent project with the Motability Scheme, explaining why brands in this sector need to change. Nowadays, there's no excuse for brands and services to be inaccessible with so many tools at their disposal to ensure otherwise. Equally, there's no reason to 'play it safe' and compromise on visual appeal.

Brand 514
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Is AI really coming for your illustration career? An industry expert weighs in

Creative Boom

Illustration by Inma Hortas As an illustration agent at Folio Art, James Hughes offers insights into the future of illustration amidst the rise of AI. With many artists concerned about AI taking over creative jobs, he explains why human creativity still has a unique place—and how illustrators can thrive in an evolving industry. One of the most common questions I hear from illustrators these days is: Will AI replace illustration?

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Hotlist 2025: the 25 most popular design studios, as voted for by their peers

Creative Boom

Photograph by DixonBaxi Looking for a little motivation today? Every creative should know about these 25 design studios and learn from their inspiring work. In a world overflowing with creativity and design innovation, there are thousands of outstanding design studios to be inspired by. Some of these make a lot of effort to publicise their work; some tend to hide their light under a bushel.

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Let's Talk Trends: Designing for Maximum Impact

Speaker: Amber Asay, Creative Director and Founder of award-winning design studio Nice People

Understanding what trends are happening and how they’re impacting the competitive landscape is crucial to providing top dollar design strategy to your clients. With so many trends coming and going, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones you should capitalize on and which ones might not be worth the trouble. In this exclusive webinar with Amber Asay, we’ll explore graphic design trends that need to die, trends that are starting to pick up and why, trends that have come and gone, and how t

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Meet the artist behind the cover of this year’s Booker Prize winner

Creative Boom

We met Aino-Maija Metsola to discuss her signature style and creative approach to illustrating book covers. Last week, thousands watched as English writer Samantha Harvey was awarded the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Orbital, one of the shorter winners in the competition's history. Its cover—a soft-edged, inky interpretation of space—was designed by Helsinki-based artist Aino-Maija Metsola.

Artist 461
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Jamie Hewlett recreates Tank Girl for the 21st century

Creative Boom

The irreverent, tank-driving troublemaker has been captured in a somewhat sultry moment by her original creator for a one-off open-edition print. Way back in 1988, comic artist Jamie Hewlett and writer Alan Martin created Tank Girl—a female character with a snarl, wit, and attitude who seemed to perfectly represent the vibe of a youth culture that was tired of batting back the same-old platitudes and prejudices faced by kids in the 1970s, 1960s, '50s, and so on.

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Expressive Type Today: How typography captivates in a world of visual overload

Creative Boom

In an era when attention spans are dwindling and visual overload has become the norm, Counter-Print's new book celebrates the transformative power of expressive typography. We spoke to co-founder Jon Dowling to find out more. Released this week, Expressive Type Today by Counter-Print explores the world of evocative type design and its ability to command our attention, shape perceptions, and spark emotions.

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Meet Tüpokompanii, the type foundry redefining letterforms through 'mistakes' and tradition

Creative Boom

Founded in 2022 by Andree Paat and Aimur Takk, Tüpokompanii is embracing an unusual approach. Blending local heritage with experimental design, the duo creates unique typefaces that push the boundaries of traditional type design. Based in Tallinn, Estonia, type design studio Tüpokompanii prides itself on a "mistake-driven" approach, thrives on seeking out letterforms' "unexpected qualities", and is a "design-driven" studio.

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Design trends for 2025: creative leaders share their vision for the future

Creative Boom

Image licensed via Adobe Stock We speak to the great and the good to get the temperature of the industry as we head into the halfway point of the 2020s. As we approach 2025, the creative industry stands at a fascinating crossroads. The rapid evolution of AI is reshaping how we think about design. To gauge the industry's mood, we've spoken to leading creative directors, agency founders, and industry visionaries about the trends they believe will define 2025.

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Dutch studio JUST's new identity balances simplicity with wonder

Creative Boom

Reflecting its commitment to social change, the Hague-based design agency has crafted a colourful and impactful new identity for itself. Located in The Hague, Netherlands, JUST is a design agency deeply committed to making a societal impact. Founded in 2007, it offers a comprehensive range of design services, from strategic branding to digital solutions, all crafted in its own studio.

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The Democratization of Design: Giving Creators & Marketers the Tools to Succeed

Brands must create and share impactful content to thrive, but they have less people, tighter budgets, and fewer resources to do so. Learn how to publish and market digital content with the same professionalism as organizations with million-dollar budgets.

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Why a new book celebrating design legend Margaret Calvert deserves your support

Creative Boom

A crowdfunding campaign has just launched for Margaret Calvert: Woman at Work, showcasing the career of the iconic British graphic designer. Editor Adrian Shaughnessy explains how it came about and why you should support it. Margaret Calvert is one of the biggest names in British design history. Now 88, she's famed for her groundbreaking work on UK road, rail, airport, and shipping signage.

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Vanderbrand: The Toronto studio crafting identities rooted in place and purpose

Creative Boom

The Canadian agency is all about smart, strategic branding that breathes life into real estate, cultural, and hospitality spaces. With a collaborative vibe and a knack for timeless design, its team creates brands that don't just look great—they feel like they truly belong. Since its inception, Toronto's Vanderbrand has carved a niche for itself through smart, considered work that largely centres on places and spaces with a range of clients across high-end real estate, hospitality, and cultural p

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The powerful and empowering illustrations of Monsie

Creative Boom

By her own confession, Monika Jurczyk – AKA Monsie – has bounced between places and jobs like a pinball, but freelance illustration has given her creative soul its voice. "I want my illustrations to be a source of empowerment," says the Edinburgh-based illustrator Monika Monsie. "Beyond being visually appealing, I aim to create work that sparks joy, confidence and a sense of possibility.

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Branding for Swedish junk food joint Dirty Vegan is deliciously playful

Creative Boom

This inventive restaurant branding reimagines the idea of a vegan eatery in a refreshing and enticing way. Across the course of the 21st century, the image of veganism has quickly gone from 'cranky and weird' to 'mainstream and cool'. Nowadays, you can find vegan options in most bars and restaurants. And that's all to the good, whether you're a vegan or just appreciate more healthy options on the menu that are kinder to the planet.

Brand 534
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Rethinking Creative Workflows: Increasing Efficiency in the Design Process

As the design industry evolves, teams are facing new challenges and a need to produce more outstanding creative work than ever. Leaders must learn how to adapt their processes to solve today’s—and tomorrow’s—unique design challenges. In this e-book, you’ll learn how to establish your creative workflow and leverage the power of CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite to streamline the entire design process, from start to finish.

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Koto boosts youth-oriented fintech brand with super-colourful Gen-Z visuals

Creative Boom

The agency's work for the collaborative earning app Fluz is keenly targeted at a young audience looking to save money. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, many people are looking for ways to stretch their money further. Enter Fluz, a collaborative earning app that amplifies spending power by offering cashback on everyday purchases. To help spread their message far and wide, Fluz recently teamed up with Koto , a brand and digital agency with studios in Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York a

Brand 541
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Con McHugh's artwork for Adrian Cox presents jazz in a fresh and original light

Creative Boom

The illustrator worked closely with the well-known musician to create a truly innovative EP design. Internationally acclaimed jazz clarinettist Adrian Cox is set to release a new EP. And he's teamed up with rising star illustrator Con McHugh to create a visual world that's as fresh and vibrant as the music itself, including album artwork, typography and an animated event poster.

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Fresh impressions of the French landscape with Agathe Meunier

Creative Boom

The Strasbourg-based artist uses marker pens, risograph printing and her unique eye for colour to document the great outdoors in locations across France. Vast outdoor settings, bold forms, and unexpected colours combine to give French illustrator Agathe Meunier a style entirely her own. The stillness of the settings juxtaposed with the energy of the palettes she deploys—along with an abundance of speckled textures—give her work a feel that is natural yet unnatural.

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The biggest font trends to look out for in 2025

Creative Boom

Ladna by Tüpokompanii From a sans-serif backlash to neo-retro revivals, our experts predict a diverse typographic landscape for the coming year. No one wants to be seen as a follower of trends. We all want to be seen as individuals, ploughing our own paths and pursuing our own creative vision. But let's get real. We don't exist in a vacuum, and we all need to be aware of what's happening culturally around us.

Fonts 512
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Creative Insights: Data-Backed Trends to Help You Design Successful Content

In today’s competitive markets, how do you make sure that your content not only stands out but performs well? How can you predict whether certain design choices will result in clicks, engagement, downloads, and other drivers of ROI? Shutterstock’s Creative Insights Report (Q3) is your window into the hottest trends that are transforming the creative world.

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Deji Ajetomobi on how The Torsche is illuminating Africa's design landscape

Creative Boom

Multidisciplinary creative Deji Ajetomobi is launching a new magazine focusing on African design talent and partnerships. We chatted with him about its founding principles, its vision for the continent's creative industry, and the kind of work it's planning to feature. At Creative Boom, we aim to bring you the best of new creative work from around the world.

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Graphic designers share their top tips for choosing the right fonts

Creative Boom

Image licensed via Adobe Stock Selecting the perfect typeface for your design projects couldn't be more important. Graphic designers share their expert insights on how to do so. As anyone who's been a graphic designer for more than a few days will know, selecting the perfect font for a project is crucial. The right typeface can bring a brand to life, enhance readability and accessibility, and convey your intended message with clarity and style.

Fonts 461
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Where the creative industry is heading, and how to survive the next 15 years

Creative Boom

Image licensed via Adobe Stock The creative industry is changing fast under the onslaught of AI. We share the community's best advice on how to not just survive but thrive over the next decade and a half. This month, Creative Boom is celebrating our 15th anniversary. It's a great opportunity to reflect on how much has changed for creatives since we launched in 2007.

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Handcrafting the Future: How Scale Model Studios is blending tradition with innovation in stop-motion animation

Creative Boom

From creating captivating miniature worlds for BBC promos and music videos to crafting immersive experiences for brands like Jongga Kimchi, Scale Model Studios has mastered its field, combining the charm of handcrafted details with cutting-edge technology to deliver authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling. You might not know Scale Model Studios by name, but you've probably seen its work – perhaps through its on-screen promos for the BBC's Winter Olympics coverage or through the music video

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Web Design for All: Accessibility, Inclusivity and Beyond

Speaker: Eden Spivak, Design Expert and Editor at Wix & Nir Horesh, Accessibility Lead and Senior Product Manager at Wix

When we design products or websites for people like ourselves, there are many others who are, as a result, left out. From visually impaired users who rely on assistive technology, to people with a temporary injury such as a broken arm, tech users are forever diverse and beautifully unique. The products we design can, and should, reflect the extremely wide range of human experiences and needs.

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'Storytelling and emotional connection matter more than aesthetics,' says illustrator Fangfang Han

Creative Boom

For the Polish pop band Big Bike Orchestra. From digital painting to cut-paper stop-motion animation, this award-winning Chinese artist is passionate about creating visual narratives with energy, positivity, and a sense of life. The pandemic was awful, let's make no bones about it, but just how many talented creatives discovered their true calling during lockdown?

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Fab new typefaces to freshen up your design projects this Spring

Creative Boom

Module by A-Studio and Co As the world thaws and the sun returns, add some extra creative flair to your work by experimenting with these fabulous new typefaces. Yes, it's still a little chilly out, and you definitely need your coat. But you can't have failed to notice those plucky buds forcing their way through the earth everywhere you go. In short, Spring is on its way; as the natural world starts to reawaken, it's a great time for us creatives to revitalise our visual palettes and sources of i

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Playful branding for new country club summons the spirit of Caddyshack

Creative Boom

Crafting a visual identity for Picklewood, a first-of-its-kind pickleball club and restaurant, was a tricky proposition. Local agency People People explain how they went about it. In case you didn't know, Pickleball is a paddle sport enjoyed by millions worldwide. A cross between tennis, badminton, and table tennis, it's played on a badminton doubles-sized court using paddles and a hollow plastic ball with holes – also known as a wiffle ball.

Brand 439
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Positive stories from freelance creatives to boost your mood in a recession

Creative Boom

Image licensed via Adobe Stock Feeling grim about your prospects? We help lift your mood by sharing positive stories from creatives about the moments that make life worth living. On a bit of a downer? Well, that's not surprising. The global economy is currently on a downturn, and people are feeling the strain across the world. And even if you're still managing to keep on top of the rent, there's no shame in feeling a little down about your prospects for continuing success as a freelancer.

Freelance 542
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What in the World is a Force Majeure?

Speaker: Michele Berdinis

This session will answer business law questions that people are asking most during the pandemic. If my business can’t pay its bills, can my creditors come after my personal assets? Do I have to pay the rent on my co-working space or office? Can my clients cancel signed contracts? Can I cancel contracts for things I no longer need because my business has slowed down?

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Lesley Barnes' joyful new picture book encourages you to unleash your inner fashionista

Creative Boom

Glasgow-based illustrator and animator Lesley Barnes invites you to mix and match outfits in a playful manner in her new interactive book, Fashion Play. Consider yourself a budding fashionista or a seasoned trendsetter. If so, the latest book by Lesley Barnes is for you. Divided into three sections that allow you to mix and match outfits to your heart's content, Fashion Play sees Lesley's gorgeous illustration style made to fit the world of clothing.

Fashion 532
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The best new typefaces for October from leading foundries and designers

Creative Boom

Lock by Mark Bloom and Diana Ovezea Hailing from both indie designers and larger foundries, these cool fonts could come in handy for your end-of-year design projects. As autumn settles in, winter approaches, and we all start to spend more time indoors, it's a great time to think about refreshing your design toolkit. And when it comes to typefaces, there's always cool new stuff to discover, from fresh releases to undiscovered classics.

Fonts 509
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Studio Folly share the design secrets of Gubbins, the hit new word game

Creative Boom

Everyone's talking about Gubbins, which delightfully bucks mobile gaming trends with its offbeat art style and clever gameplay mechanics. We find out more about how it was made. We all love word games, but playing the same games all the time can get a bit wearing. So, we're always excited to check out new ones. And right now, everyone is talking about Gubbins , a visually dazzling title which puts a fresh spin on the classic word game formula.

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Roam magazine celebrates the modern folk movement in a refreshing new way

Creative Boom

We love a good passion project here at Creative Boom, and here's our favourite of 2024 so far! Roam magazine is taking an inclusive and cross-disciplinary approach to showcasing the modern folk movement. As the philosopher George Santayana once wrote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." But history isn't just a list of names and dates, wars and leaders; it's much broader than that.

Magazine 541
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From Visualization to Execution: Exploring Our Strengths as Designers

Speaker: Sean Adams, ArtCenter College of Design

Thomas Edison once said “Vision without execution is hallucination.” This statement applies not just to invention, but to graphic design. One of the greatest strengths of graphic designers is the ability to first develop a concept and then execute it to make it real. From visualization and ideation all the way through to actuation and execution, each step of this process takes skill and expertise.