Tom May

Tom May

Freelance journalist and editor

Tom May is an award-winning journalist specialising in art, design, photography and technology. His latest book, The 50 Greatest Designers (Arcturus Publishing), was published this June. He's also author of Great TED Talks: Creativity (Pavilion Books). Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. 

Latest articles by Tom May

Our three top picks of laptops aimed at architects.

The best laptop for animation: expert recommended for beautiful displays and powerful processors

By Erlingur Einarsson last updated

Packed with power, these are the best laptops for animation.

Laptops
three laptops for game development on an orange background

The best laptop for game development: the perfect device for crafting your vision

By Matt Hanson last updated

Craft new worlds with the best laptops for game development.

Laptops
A black-and-white still from an animated cartoon shows Betty Boop standing on a bed, looking down at Pudgy (a dog character) who is dressed as a waiter and presenting a platter with a roasted bird.

I can't believe all these pop-culture icons come out of copyright in 2026

By Tom May published

It's exciting times for creators, but beware the legal traps...

Creative Inspiration
A smiling Best Buy employee wearing glasses and a blue polo shirt hands a small blue box to a customer at a checkout counter.

These retailers are all offering Black Friday guarantees for 2025

By Tom May published

Shop Black Friday deals early without the worry – these retailers promise to refund you if prices drop further.

Tech

This guerrilla network sharing art gallery memberships is my new favourite thing

By Tom May published

A scrappy WhatsApp group is helping artists to see actual art.

Art

Forget AI: shrinkflation is the real threat to your brand strategy

By Tom May published

Branding
A smartphone displaying the home screen of the Premiere Pro video editing app is centered over a background photo of a motorcycle rider surrounded by a large flock of sheep on a dirt road in a sunny, mountainous landscape.

Adobe is being smarter about AI video than I ever expected

By Tom May published

They finally understand what creators need.

Video Editing Software
Side view of of iPhone 17 Pro including programmable action button at the top

I love Android and I hate to say it, but Apple will eventually win

By Tom May published

Apple's a fashion brand, and Android can never truly compete.

Phones & Tablets
A dual-screen laptop is set up in a vertical orientation with the detachable keyboard in front, and a hand is shown resting on the trackpad.

How two screens changed everything: my ASUS Zenbook Duo story

By Tom May published

I never thought anything would trump my MacBook Air.

Laptops
An image of a mounted television displaying an aerial view of waves crashing on a black sand beach, with a secondary lower screen showing the time, date, news headlines about the King's coronation and Prince Harry, and a KIA logo.

You can now get a TV for free... and I'm worried this is the future of tech

By Tom May published

Free, ad-supported hardware is here. But will it stop at TVs?

Tech
An abstract, brightly colored mural covers the ground floor and second level of a curved, beige-colored building, featuring geometric shapes, cloud forms, and stylized faces.

I tried the colour walking craze for myself, and the results took me by surprise

By Tom May published

This simple practice gave my brain the reset it needed.

Creative Inspiration
Two tall cans of "Liquid Death" water, one black sparkling and one white mountain water, with a gold logo of a melting skull, set against a backdrop of snowy mountains.

Many famous brands fail to go global, and I think I know why

By Tom May published

Corporate arrogance will always slam up against reality.

Branding
XPen Artist 12 (3rd gen) review: tablet on a wooden table

Shall we all move to Ireland? Their plan to support artists sounds incredible

By Tom May published

Ireland is giving €325 a week to artists. Honestly!

Art
A large outdoor billboard advertisement with a purple background showing four miniature Cadbury's chocolate bars named after the band members of Queen: Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, with the slogan "Cadbury All HEROES No Zeros."

Is this really the most 'creatively effective' print ad ever?

By Tom May published

Can we measure a campaign's effectiveness just by feels?

Advertising
Asus Vivobook S 15

Can't afford a MacBook Pro? These are your best alternatives

By Tom May published

Avoid the Apple tax with these premium alternative laptops.

Laptops
Drew Struzan posters for the films The Goonies, Back to the Future and Indiana Jones

Drew Struzan’s posters made me love movies – here's what creatives can learn from him today

By Tom May published

The late artist's posters were based on emotion, not function.

Poster Design
A desktop with a colourful portfolio on screen

How to create an online portfolio: Steps to curating your own corner of the web

By Beth Nicholls last updated

Want to show off your work online? We digest the methods involved with creating an online portfolio.

Portfolios
How to beat burnout

How artists can beat burnout

By Tom May last updated

Leading creatives share their tips for when stress becomes overwhelming.

Creative Careers
A close-up, shallow depth-of-field shot of the tip of a light gray mechanical pencil, a Winsor & Newton fineliner, with black accents, resting on a textured orange and black patterned surface.

Designers reveal the one object they can't live without

By Tom May published

Cherished tools, quirky treasures and everyday essentials.

Product Design
A promotional image for a Taylor Swift event, showing the singer dressed as a showgirl in a red, feathered outfit and an elaborate headdress, with text about "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl."

The latest Taylor Swift movie is the future of cinema (and no, I'm not joking)

By Tom May published

Forget superheroes: this is what saves the big screen.

Movies & TV Shows
Three of the best laptops for Cricut makers on a purple background

The best laptops for Cricut makers: get the most out of Cricut Design Space

By Ian Dean last updated

As keen crafters, we've picked out the best laptops for Cricut makers – all tested to handle the brand's software.

Laptops
three of the best screen protectors for iPad on a green background

These are the best iPad screen protectors available

By Beren Neale last updated

Ideal for artists, these are the best iPad screen protectors.

Phones & Tablets
The three best Frame TVs.

The best frame TVs: fantastic TVs that show off your favourite art

By Beren Neale last updated

Get a TV and a digital frame in one, with the best frame TVs.

TVs
A diptych of album covers for "THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL," features an elaborately dressed Taylor Swift in rhinestone-studded showgirl costumes, depicted in a rich, textured setting on the left and submerged in vibrant, turquoise water on the right. The images are a conceptual presentation for an album, with accompanying vinyl pressings shown below the main photos.

Taylor Swift’s Easter Eggs are a masterclass in creative mischief – and they're heating up

By Tom May last updated

Here's what every creative can learn from this.

Branding
Three of the best iPad alternatives on a purple background

The best iPad alternatives – escape the Apple ecosystem

By Ian Dean last updated

Our reviewers pick the best iPad alternatives from Samsung, Microsoft, Honor and more.

Phones & Tablets
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