Communication Arts

“Breaking Ice: The Making of Cracks In the Ice” 5:00 “The short film ‘Breaking Ice’ documents photographer Jason Lindsey’s exploration of the changing world after his son asked him the question: ‘What will the world look like due to climate change?’ Rooted in anxiety about the world the next generation will inherit, Lindsey shatters century-old glacier slides to explore our instinct to piece together what’s broken.”

Responses by Matt Keats, associate partner and group creative director, Venables Bell & Partners. Background: We set out to celebrate America’s 250th and the spirit of ingenuity that has shaped it for generations and to remind American drivers across all 50 states of the role Scout vehicles have played along the way, from introducing the original off-roader in 1960 to pushing EV innovation forward today with the new Harvester range extender.

Responses by Serhii Polyvanyi, creative director, Blacklead Studio. Background: At its core, Serotoninn is a brand universe built around a very specific kind of woman—one who wears what she means, not what’s trending or got the most likes this week but what actually mirrors her energy, her mood and her sense of self on any given day.

“Photographs like this tantalize you by sparking immediate reactions of ‘What am I looking at?,’ drawing you in until the tragic reality sinks in. In doing so, these photographs contain both questions and answers. They stick like glue in our memory and can—and often do—lead us to action.” —Michael Zajakowski “A masterful example of visual storytelling.

Responses by Alejandro Gavancho, designer and art director, Magno Studio. Background: The primary goal was to help Starrytale, a skincare brand we have collaborated with for years, successfully expand into the fine fragrance market with Wonder Aroma Odyssey. The target audience consists of Starrytale’s highly loyal community, customers who value the brand not only for product quality but also for the distinct, magical aesthetic we’ve helped build for it over time.

“Many of the images function as strong standalone photographs—quite rare in episodic documentary work. At the same time, the sequencing is precise and cohesive, turning the series into a compelling narrative.” —Daria Troitskaia “Beautifully shot, produced and edited, with a seamless audio and judicious mix of special effects.

How did you discover your love for creativity and get started in the field? I guess I always had a love for creativity. When I was a kid, I looked up to the older guys doing graffiti and started doing it myself at a very young age. I went on to art school and experimented with a lot of different techniques like film media, lithography and screen printing. I got a job at a printing house, and it was there that I decided I wanted to work in advertising, which is a lot more fun than printing T-shirts.

“In portraiture, the connection with the subject is most often found in the eyes. Here, you are knocked for six by the girl’s visible impairment. You do not know exactly what she can see, if anything, but she stares down the lens of the camera as if looking straight into you.” —Tim Beard “Bhatia’s work is powerfully captured. The image of the young girl gazing directly into the camera, despite being blind, conveys both dignity and beauty.

Features At this New York–based creative studio, advertising, graphics and experiential design blend seamlessly as it redefines its clients’ brand cultures. An Exeter, United Kingdom–based illustrator tackles complexity with his fluency in visual metaphors and emotional compositions. Exhibit Aliza Siddiqi of Publicis Middle East shares how Louvre Abu Dhabi used its own art as subtle wayfinding, showing tourists the museum is closer—and easier to visit—than they think.

Back in the 20th century, there was a distinct difference between a design group and an ad agency. So distinct were they that, on many design programs, students would have to choose a design or advertising pathway, with boundaries firmly drawn between them. In 21st-century creative spaces, the boundaries are decidedly more blurred. And, at New York-based design studio DE-YAN, they’ve been blown out of the water. Founder Dejan Jovanovic.