The New York Times Design Cases
Designers behind the work
Designers and creative leads credited on The New York Times projects in press coverage.
Designers and creative leads credited on The New York Times projects in press coverage.
Creative Boom profiles artist and independent publisher Vanilla Chi, exploring her philosophy of ego-death and her experimental approach to bookmaking. Through her studio Pearl Slug Studio, Chi creates publications that challenge conventional reading, drawing on Buddhist philosophy, folklore, and anthropology. The article highlights her projects 'Snakelike, Through These Grasses' and 'Eyes Close... the Words Open', which transform reading into performative and fragmentary experiences.
The article profiles illustrator Steph Hardy’s latest body of work, which shifts from nature-inspired compositions to whimsical depictions of snacks and comfort foods in her signature soft, painterly style. It explores her evolving use of color, her process of layering and blending digital textures, and her recent collaborations with editorial and branding clients such as Queer Atmosphere and Coldcuts. Hardy also discusses her growing interest in animation and motion as a natural extension of her fluid mark-making.
Creative Boom profiles Gina Guasch Studio (GGS), a queer-led design studio based in Barcelona known for its colourful, activist, and identity-driven work. Founded by Gina Guasch in 2019, the studio creates branding, flyers, and visual systems for clients across culture, music, and activism. The article highlights GGS’s bold aesthetic, inclusive ethos, and commitment to design that goes beyond trends.
Creative Boom’s feature by Tom May explores photographer Xavier Nuez’s 25-year project 'Alleys & Ruins', a series of light-painted photographs of derelict American spaces. Using long exposures and coloured lights, Nuez transforms abandoned sites into theatrical compositions while processing his own trauma through the act of creation. The forthcoming book, published by Gypsy Press, is both a visual and psychological exploration of beauty emerging from decay.
Creative Boom’s 2026 community poll highlights 15 illustrators shaping the global illustration scene, emphasizing originality and human touch in an AI-saturated era. The list spans established names like Noma Bar and Malika Favre to emerging talents such as Anna Micheloni and Genie Espinosa. The article celebrates craftsmanship, individuality, and the enduring commercial relevance of distinctive illustration.
The article profiles Miami-born, New York-based illustrator Derek Abella, whose career took off after being laid off on Valentine's Day 2020. It explores how his Art Deco-inspired, emotionally resonant illustrations gained traction during the pandemic, leading to collaborations with major media outlets and brands. Abella reflects on resilience, creative growth, and his evolving artistic direction as he approaches a new decade in his career.
Creative Boom reveals the top 20 graphic designers of 2026, as voted by thousands of creatives in its annual State of Creativity survey. The list highlights influential figures such as Paula Scher, Jessica Walsh, Simon Dixon, and Verónica Fuerte, showcasing a mix of established icons and emerging voices shaping the global design landscape. The article celebrates diversity in practice, from branding and typography to motion and illustration.
Creative Boom profiles Irish-Ukrainian illustrator Harriet Yakub, whose work transforms everyday observations into humorous, cartoon-like illustrations. The article explores her process, from word associations to hand-drawn etching, and highlights her clients, awards, and evolving projects such as her self-published series Makewatch. Yakub’s practice is rooted in finding meaning and humor in ordinary moments.
