DIA

Creative Boom · Apr 17, 2026

Animator Alistair Nicholls created a playful stop-motion short titled 'Couchella' for Coachella, commissioned by RW Media to promote the festival’s livestream. Using plasticine and an improvised sculpting process, Nicholls crafted quirky, colourful characters that embody the energy of live music. The piece highlights his handmade aesthetic and instinctive approach to animation.

Creative Boom · Mar 23, 2026

Creative Boom reports that the Northern Design Festival returns to Lancaster in May 2026 with a new theme of 'Heritage' and a bespoke typeface called Lancer, created in collaboration with F37. The identity extends into a regional billboard campaign exploring northern creative identity, while the festival continues its community-driven approach with talks, workshops, and collaborations across the UK creative scene.

Creative Boom · Feb 3, 2026

Creative Boom’s article by Tom May summarizes Frontify’s 2026 report 'Rebranding Redefined', which outlines six key strategies for modern rebranding. Drawing insights from studios like JKR, Buck, DIA, and Mozilla, it emphasizes living brand systems, meaningful use of type and color, sonic branding, flexibility, motion integration, and cultural relevance. The piece encourages designers to move beyond static assets and build adaptive, emotionally resonant brands.

The Brand Identity · Jan 29, 2026 · Interview

The Brand Identity interviews art director Xiyu Deng about her approach to design, storytelling, and bridging art with communication. She discusses her work at Media Arts Lab, her personal platform DXY®, and projects like the Sixteen Labs rebrand that translate complex technology into human-centered design. Deng emphasizes openness, collaboration, and learning through making as key to her creative process.

It's Nice That · Jan 12, 2026

Written by Poppy Thaxter for It’s Nice That’s Forward Thinking series, the article explores how transparency and behind-the-scenes storytelling have become essential in the creative industry amid the rise of AI-generated content. It highlights examples from brands like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Ffern, showing how audiences now value visible human effort and authenticity in design and branding.

Creative Boom · Dec 18, 2025

Tom May’s Creative Boom article reflects on 2025’s most significant rebrands, arguing that the most impactful ones—by Amazon, Walmart, Apple TV, Eventbrite, and La-Z-Boy—were subtle evolutions rather than headline-grabbing overhauls. He contrasts these quiet successes with high-profile failures like Cracker Barrel, Jaguar, and HBO Max, emphasizing that brand strength now comes from coherence and consistency rather than spectacle. The piece concludes that the future of branding lies in thoughtful refinement and listening to audiences.

The Brand Identity · Dec 9, 2025

DIA Studio created a generative identity system for the 2025 edition of Nuits Sonores, a major electronic music festival in Lyon. The project centred on a custom tool simulating fluid dynamics to translate the physical sensation of sound into motion-based visuals, anchored by the MNKY Klaus typeface and a striking neon green palette. The identity extended across digital and physical applications, becoming a cultural phenomenon embraced by festivalgoers.

Creative Boom · Nov 24, 2025

Creative Boom’s article by Tom May explores how motion-first branding has evolved from a decorative feature to a strategic foundation for modern brand systems. Featuring insights from DIA’s Mitch Paone and BUCK’s Simon Chong, the piece discusses how motion can define brand behaviour, ensure consistency, and bridge strategy with creative expression. The article also outlines best practices for building scalable motion systems and integrating behavioural logic into brand guidelines.

The Brand Identity · Nov 20, 2025

The article details how Tomorrow Bureau and Modem collaborated with Swiss sportswear brand On to create the Movement Labs retail installation in Zurich. The project integrates digital storytelling into physical architecture through a sculptural table with embedded screens and reflective materials, embodying On’s philosophy of technology as texture. The work merges motion design, custom hardware, and minimalist aesthetics to communicate On’s product innovation in an immersive, tactile way.

It's Nice That · Nov 18, 2025

DIA Studio created a pulsating, generative identity for the 2025 edition of Nuits Sonores, an electronic music festival in Lyon. The design uses a custom motion tool and the MNKY Klaus typeface to visualize sound through particle-based typography and neon green visuals. The identity extended across digital and physical touchpoints, engaging festivalgoers who adopted the color as part of the event experience.

It's Nice That · Sep 16, 2025

The article profiles Watermelon Pictures, a new film production and distribution company founded by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali to champion Palestinian cinema. Building on their family’s legacy through MPI Media Group, the duo launched the label in 2024 to authentically represent Arab and Muslim stories. The piece explores their mission, the films they distribute, and their commitment to activism through storytelling.

It's Nice That · Aug 21, 2025

The article covers Smoking Diaries, a collaborative design project and exhibition by four designers exploring the social rituals of smoking through 17 reimagined ashtrays. Hosted at Café Nick in Copenhagen during Three Days of Design, the event blurred the line between art and everyday life, inviting visitors to use the ashtrays as part of the experience. The project also included a zine designed by Alice Monguzzi, extending the conversation into print form.

Creative Boom · Aug 18, 2025

Cadbury has relaunched its classic Bournville dark chocolate with a humorous campaign by VCCP that pokes fun at dark chocolate snobbery. Directed by Harold Einstein and co-written with Simon Blackwell, the ad reintroduces Bournville with a confident, tongue-in-cheek tone and bold red-and-white visuals. The campaign spans TV, outdoor, radio, and digital channels, marking the brand’s first major push since the 1970s.

Creative Boom · Jul 14, 2025 · Interview

Creative Boom’s article features Andrew Thomas, creative head of Google Retail Design in EMEA, discussing the role of belief, collaboration, and respect in nurturing creative ideas. In a talk for The Studio community, Thomas shared his career journey from fashion and retail to Google, emphasizing the importance of diversity, empathy, and shared belief in creative success. The piece highlights his philosophy that authentic belief and collaboration make ideas truly contagious.

Creative Boom · Jul 14, 2025 · Interview

Creative Boom’s article features Andrew Thomas, creative head of Google Retail Design in EMEA, discussing the role of belief, collaboration, and respect in nurturing creative ideas. In a talk for The Studio community, Thomas shared insights from his career spanning fashion, retail, and tech, emphasizing how authentic belief and diverse collaboration make ideas contagious. The piece highlights his philosophy on creativity, resilience, and the importance of respecting ideas and people alike.

It's Nice That · Jun 30, 2025

In this edition of If You Could’s Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, advises a young creative on whether to start their own studio or gain more experience first. She argues that generalists make strong studio founders due to their broad skills and exposure to business operations. The article encourages taking initiative, learning from others’ experiences, and trusting one’s readiness to begin a creative venture.

The Brand Identity · Jun 11, 2025

Serviceplan Innovation collaborated with Nigerian fintech Herconomy to launch 'Breastmilk Money,' a campaign and digital platform that turns breastfeeding into a financial asset. The project combines emotional storytelling with data-driven design, featuring a fluid visual identity inspired by the natural colours of breastmilk and a calculator that quantifies the financial savings of breastfeeding. The campaign aims to empower Nigerian mothers through both health education and financial independence.