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Ideas, trends, curiosities and thoughtful perspectives on design, communication and visual culture. A place to observe, discover and find fresh inspiration.

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Advent calendars: the history, evolution and geography of a printed ritual

From chalk marks to chocolate: the story of the advent calendar, its distant origins, curious facts and traditions around the world.

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The truth about paperbacks: crisis, competition and reinvention

We look at the uncertain future of the soft-cover format with Roberto Cicala, one of Italy’s leading authorities on publishing.

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Writing in cursive: how joined-up writing helps joined-up thinking

Why is writing in cursive so important? We asked Michela Vandelli, an expert on learning processes.

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MyHeritage: from an old letter to AI to build a family tree

An old love letter, a mystery face in a yellowed photo, or an unknown sibling or child... just some of the stories revealed by MyHeritage.

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Season’s Greetings: Messages, Meaning and Ideas for a Truly Special Card

Season's Greetings: what it means, when to use it over "Merry Christmas", and ready-to-use messages for family, colleagues and clients.

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#AlbumCovers: The cover for Queen’s Innuendo

Freddie Mercury’s final record came wrapped in an eccentric illustrated cover. 

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The posters of Jacqueline S. Casey

The graphic designer, who spent 30 years working at MIT, established a new frontier within a profession that had, until then, barely recognised the role of women.

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Much more than advertising: does the paid media you know still exist?

Thanks in part to artificial intelligence, paid media has undergone a fascinating evolution over the past few years. We explain how.

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Victorian-era graphic design: when more was more

We explore how Victorian aesthetics left an indelible mark that can still be seen today in some advertising graphics.

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Are cheap paperbacks on the way out?

Cheap paperbacks: is the book format that democratised culture in crisis? And will it be replaced by the book-object?

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Images and the imagination in Carl Jung’s analytical psychology

We explore how images played a pivotal role in the professional and personal life of the great Swiss psychologist.

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Marilyn Monroe: a timeless print media icon

The images and magazine covers that made the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe unforgettable

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Pokémon: 30 years of merch and still going strong

How Pikachu and co. emerged from the mind of Satoshi Tajiri… and unleashed a global phenomenon

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Clara De Lorenzi’s bookplates: a beautiful blend of past and present

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Why puzzles are good for you (all year round!)

A small tribute to brainteasers, crosswords and other printed puzzles that both help you relax and stimulate your mind