Should we be concerned about the Studio Ghibli AI trend?
Social media platforms are ablaze this week with users creating fake Studio Ghibli inspired artwork using generative AI. How much harm does this do to actual artists and animation studios? Another week, another story of generative AI disrupting the creative industry. This time, it looks like the legendary Japanese animation...
Current in Design
Christie’s ‘Augmented Intelligence’ auction surpasses expectations
The event at Christie’s was intended to demonstrate and test the legitimacy of AI artwork within the high-end auction world. It was met with fierce criticism and enthusiasm from different parties. An online sale of AI-generated artwork at London’s auction house Christie’s has surpassed its initial earnings estimates by...
The true cost of being single
Free and thriving – or just paying more rent? Let’s break down the economics of singledom. Breathe a sigh of relief, for February is almost over. It’s that special time of year when couples throw cash at overpriced dinners, smugly split the Uber home, and post a well-lit shot of...
Manchester City launch AI design competition for 2026 third kit
Manchester City have launched a competition where fans can submit AI designs. The winning entry will adorn the club’s third kit in the 2026/2027 season. Is this a good idea, or perhaps worthy of charge 116? It’s safe to say Premier League fans, generally speaking, aren’t totally loving Manchester City...
The rise of Instagrammable museums
In the age of social media and the pursuit of aesthetics it promotes, the way we engage with and appreciate art has undergone a radical transformation. Thanks to social media, the ‘instagrammability’ of museums and galleries now plays a significant role in drawing in crowds. More and more, visitors are...
Have tattoos become too expensive?
For various reasons, getting inked increasingly involves breaking the bank. What does this mean for the industry and for the future of an art form that’s been around for generations? If you cast your mind back to the days of T-shirts and shorts earlier this year – now replaced by...
Opinion – AI disrupting Africa’s traditional artistry is a worry
Across Africa, a continent rich with diverse artistic heritage, traditional art has long been a vehicle for cultural expression, storytelling, and heritage preservation. From the intricate beadworks to bold masks, traditional African art has both spiritual and social value, transcending mere aesthetics. Artificial Intelligence’s accessibility and ability to create compelling visual content is impacting Africa’s traditional art forms, challenging both the market dynamics and the intrinsic meanings these art forms...
Tiny urban forests are having a hugely positive impact
With one in three people in England lacking access to nature-rich spaces, this micro-foresting method is being deployed to change that. Have you heard of the Miyawaki foresting method? It’s a Japanese-style tree-planting technique that involves placing a strategically diverse group of native woodland trees within a small area of land. The goal is to choose species that will work together in harmony, growing over time into a bustling micro-forest. Growing...
What’s the meaning behind Banksy’s latest stunt?
The anonymous street artist has claimed credit for three consecutive animal-themed artworks in three days. One theory is circulating on social media that the ‘London Zoo’ collection (as its been dubbed) reflects the parlous state of the UK amid ongoing far-right riots nationwide. This week, a number of animal-themed artworks have popped up around London. On Monday, a goat teetering on a ledge with rocks tumbling down beneath...
Does Banksy’s latest mural have an environmental message?
The anonymous street artist has confirmed he is behind a new artwork that appeared in north London on Sunday. Many are speculating that it depicts nature’s struggle in an increasingly urbanised world. Yesterday, social media hit pause on obsessing over Kate Middleton’s whereabouts to admire a new mural that mysteriously appeared in north London overnight. Before long, internationally-renowned anonymous street artist Banksy took to Instagram to claim...
