Design Week’s favourite product, print and packaging stories of 2023
From luxury spirit bottles to futuristic biomaterial solutions, here are our favourite product, print and packaging stories from this year.
Book cover designs, adult colouring books, poster designs and more – all the latest work from designers and studios specialising in print.
Five of our favourite fonts from 2023
Featuring out-there designs inspired by spherical marble forms, a stencil font that’s protest-ready, and typography to build chairs with.
Why the future of publishing hinges on bold creativity
Studio Airport has been Emergence magazine’s creative partner since its inception, expanding editorial design into ambitious new territories.
Pantone reveals “youthful” but “timeless” 2024 colour of the year
In packaging and multimedia design, the colour of the year could be used to bring “a vintage vibe” to a project, according to Pantone.
Sound design and ‘planting design’ honoured among new RDI recipients
The prestigious Royal Designers for Industry accolades announced as its head calls for designers to “accept the blame” for climate crisis
Rhyme & Reason: Jake Noakes talks us through designing hip hop
A new book offers a behind-the-scenes look at hip hop’s biggest artists, just as the genre was breaking into the mainstream.
“A bolder composition”: designing the 2023 Booker Prize winner cover
Inspired by jazz record covers and the “brutal” imagery of oppressive states, Prophet Song’s cover was designed to depict the hostile environment inhabited by the characters.
Ben Tallon: “Will selling my creativity ever feel natural?”
As part of his series reflecting on the nature of creativity, Tallon finds that once you dare to put a price on your skills, your creative peers are often willing
Es Devlin on “30 years of engaging in audience, performance and ritual”
The designer and artist discusses how mapping an ephemeral practice for her monograph An Atlas of Es Devlin gave her better understanding of her own persistent “lines of enquiry.”
Royal Mail reveals 2023 Christmas stamps that nod to “old carol books”
Each stamp features lyrics from a well-known Christmas carol and was created with watercolour to add “depth and richness”.
Things to do in November: the best design events happening this month
Our design recommendations this month include an interactive introduction to set design, in-person events from Glasgow to Brighton and design festivals in Ireland and Dubai.
How London Underground and Transport facilitated the city’s “largest public art gallery”
The evolution of poster design across the London transport network will be revealed through a new exhibition and gallery, sharing the story of an industrious and creative endeavour.
“We are alive and working”: defiant Ukrainian designers are carrying on
More than 500 days into the war, we spoke to designers in Ukraine about the different ways in which they are adapting to continue work.
Things to do in August: the best design events happening this month
Our design picks this month include a festival of design in Margate, a book about the evolution of the computer, and kids’ design activities taking place from Dundee to London.
Meet the graduates: Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Michelle Voortman
As part of our 2023 graduate season coverage, we’re speaking with a selection of graduates from around the UK about their final projects and future plans.
London Design Festival 2023 first Look: ethereal installations and emerging talent
Responding to dips in the number of students taking design subjects, LDF is making an effort to showcase and support young designers.
Meet the graduates: University of Leeds’ Olivia Hughes
As part of our 2023 graduate season coverage, we’re speaking with a selection of graduates from around the UK about their final projects and future plans.
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Self-help graphic design project takes top award at New Designers 2023
An at-home cervical screening product, mushroom-leather shoes, and a bench designed to encourage socialising also won awards.
Things to do in July: the best design events happening this month
Coinciding with the start of the school holidays, this month’s design events include creative workshops for children in Dundee and a Festival at the Young V&A.
Delayed Gratification: choosing beauty over the news agenda in cover design
The team behind the slow journalism publication discuss what makes a good cover and why the 50th issue breaks the rules, with an infographic capturing “the great sweep of slow
How can designers address dangers faced by the LGBTQ+ community?
With a recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric, we asked designers how they can work with brands to address the increased dangers the LGBTQ+ community face today.
Design Week Awards 2023 – the shortlist in full
We’re excited to announce the full Awards shortlist below. Keep an eye out for our Winners Showcase, which will be revealed later this month on the site.
Studiographica preserves the legacy of shuttered design agencies
Paul Bailey explains how the initial roster of design agencies whose records he was looking to preserve is already expanding into a wider archival project.
Things to do in June: the best design events happening this month
Our picks this month include a festival in Birmingham, the fourth London Design Biennale, a book on the history of dyes and a digital experience celebrating the Minimoog.