You can't design with integrity if you don't understand the context.

With the latest ChatGPT update, it’s now easy to transform any image into something that looks like it came straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. But alongside the charm came the debate: to what extent can an aesthetic be replicated without violating its origin? For many artists, style is not a filter—it’s identity. And in the branding world, where visuals and language are strategic tools, the conversation goes beyond technique: it’s about originality, ethics, and perceived value.

In Severance, graphic design isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a character. From oppressive typography to eerie signage, every visual choice reinforces control, hierarchy, and corporate duality. Design becomes an invisible force shaping behavior and perception. A powerful reminder that when branding loses its essence, it stops connecting — and starts constraining.

For the first time in the festival’s history, a country will be honored as Creative Country of the Year — and the one chosen is Brazil. The tribute recognizes not only the impact of our creativity in the global market, but also the strength of a culture that turns limitations into language. Washington Olivetto will also be celebrated for his contributions to global advertising. A symbolic moment that reinforces what it means to create in Brazil: to resist, reinvent, and now, to be a reference.

Stocksy’s new report brings a sharp warning: in the age of infinite scrolls, creativity risks collapsing into sameness. The Curation Paradox reframes curation not as a trend, but as a skill — one that designers and brands must master to stand out. It’s a reminder that in an algorithmic world, human vision is still our most powerful design tool.

Printed with hydrochromic ink, The Dehydrating Book can only be read when wet—turning an invisible narrative into a tactile reminder of the global water crisis. Created by Water for People, Edelman and The Gas Company, the project brings sustainability and storytelling together in a way that’s both poetic and urgent. Around here, we’re drawn to ideas that awaken the senses—because design, for us, is also about what can be felt.