Tom May

Tom May

Freelance journalist and editor

Tom May is an award-winning journalist specialising in art, design, photography and technology. He is the author of the books The 50 Greatest Designers (Arcturus) and Great TED Talks: Creativity (Pavilion). Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. 

Latest articles by Tom May

New Cracker Barrel logo and branding

This was branding's most dangerous year yet

By Tom May published

2025 was the year when every logo became a potential fight.

Branding
Two boxes of Tesco Finest tea are displayed: the box on the left is for Earl Grey (Floral, Aromatic, Citrus) with 50 tea bags and features an illustration of a cityscape at dusk; the box on the right is for English Breakfast (Rich, Robust, Malty) with 80 tea bags and features an illustration of a sunrise over a rolling landscape.

Messy, meaningful and made by humans: the biggest illustration trends for 2026

By Tom May published

Illustration is pushing back against AI polish.

Illustration
A hand paints a NY scene

How 2026 will finally kill photorealism

By Tom May published

In a world where anyone can summon a fake photo in four seconds, why spend four months painting one?

4 Comments
Digital Art
A MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) on a desk

Our favourite laptops of 2025 are finally discounted in the end-of-year sales

By Tom May published

These top-rated laptops just got serious price cuts.

Laptops
In a scene from Friends, Santa Claus and the Holiday Armadillo stand in a kitchen facing each other while Monica Geller looks on from the center.

Streaming stole our Christmas TV experience – but can we get it back?

By Tom May published

The algorithm suggests no, but I think there's hope yet.

Movies & TV Shows
A woman in a blue dress sits on a rug in a cozy living room, wrapping a model train set near a lit fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree.

The most beautiful Christmas films to inspire you creatively

By Tom May published

From candy-coloured suburbs to candlelit noir.

Movies & TV Shows
A group of felt-textured mice and a bird gather around a star-topped mince pie in a snowy outdoor scene at night.

The 5 Christmas animations that every creative should watch now

By Tom May published

They all showcase the power of visual storytelling.

Animation
Montage of poster and Instagram screengrabs from Zohran Mamdani's campaign

Texture, warmth and tactile rebellion: the big graphic design trends for 2026

By Tom May published

From handcrafted rebellion to layered storytelling.

Graphic Design
Two small landscape paintings and a paintbrush covered in paint

Why Gen Z artists are rediscovering anatomy, gesture and plein air painting in 2026

By Tom May published

Gen Z are starting to choose easels over screens.

Art
The pair of JUZEAR Harrier in-ear earphones, one with a prominent golden tiger's eye faceplate and the other with a dark blue/green variant, are angled and nestled among pieces of clear, light-blue-tinted crystal.

Meet the JUZEAR Harrier: A new earphone that skips the hype train to get the tuning right

By Tom May published

These new IEMs aim for balance over bling

Headphones & Earbuds
A blonde woman (Sabrina Carpenter) in a black dress is on her hands and knees while a person in a black suit pulls her hair.

From Springsteen to Sabrina: pop stars and the fight for control

By Tom May published

What pop stars have learn the hard way offers lessons for every creative.

Branding
A group of Stormtroopers in white armor advance across a rocky, desert landscape, aiming their blaster rifles.

18 discounted Switch 2 games are perfect stocking fillers for the gamer in your life

By Tom May published

From Star Wars to Final Fantasy, here are the best discounts.

Gaming
A digital art picture frame

Art lovers! These e-ink photo frames actually look like art (and they're on sale)

By Tom May published

These paper-like displays make art look genuinely printed.

Tech
Three animated women, styled like a K-pop group with vibrant hair and edgy outfits, look intensely at the camera while pointing upwards with one finger in a bright, neon-lit setting.

What creatives can learn from the Wicked vs KPop Demon Hunters controversy

By Tom May published

Why did the Golden Globes "snub" the blockbuster musical, and how did a K-pop cartoon do so well in the nominations?

Animation
A shot from behind Taylor Swift, wearing a sparkly blue outfit and holding a guitar, as she walks onto a brightly lit stage between two crew members.

Taylor Swift's new Disney+ series is hiding a creative secret weapon

By Tom May published

Behind-the-scenes footage isn't just good marketing; it's the secret weapon every creative professional needs to master.

Movies & TV Shows
A pair of open-back headphones with wooden earcups and a black padded headband is resting on a wooden desk in front of a black headphone amplifier with gold trim and VU meters.

These headphones look like they're from a designer's steampunk fantasy

By Tom May, Beren Neale published

The hi-fi manufacturer combines British craftsmanship with advanced nano-diaphragm technology in latest offering.

Headphones & Earbuds
Four young men standing in a line against a dark background, all with their arms crossed, looking at the camera.

Gen Z doesn't care about your brand heritage

By Tom May published

This new research offers some pretty startling insights.

Advertising
A collection of white, blank square papers scattered and overlapping against a background of a light blue sky with white, fluffy clouds.

Pantone's colour of 2026 is more apt than you think

By Tom May published

Is this a lazy stunt, or genius philosophical insight?

Design
Sabrina Carpenter and taylor swift

When the White House hijacks your work: what creatives can learn from Sabrina Carpenter's fight

By Tom May published

This sad episode reveals some harsh truths for all of us.

Branding
The Noble FoKus Rex5 and FoKus Amadeus IEMs.

Forget the AirPods Pro - Noble’s Rex 5 are the kings of wireless earbuds

By Tom May, Beren Neale published

The 'Porsche of wireless earbuds' gets a rare discount.

Headphones & Earbuds
A wide-angle photo of two men standing on a stage during the Upscale Conference in Malaga, with a large screen behind them displaying the red text: "Now we can drift, dream and make mistakes at no cost."

Are we in the era of the disposable artist?

By Tom May published

To AI, your work is nothing more than convenient compost.

4 Comments
AI Art

16 brilliant creative gifts under $100

By Tom May last updated

Treat the creatives in your life (or, let’s be honest, yourself) to something inspirational this Cyber Monday.

Product Design
Disney Plus

Get cosy for Christmas with the best streaming deals – including Disney + AND Hulu for $4.99 a month

By Tom May published

Here are the best discounts for viewers in the USA and the UK.

Movies & TV Shows
Close-up, black and white image of the word 'YOU' carved into a rough, grainy stone surface, resembling a tombstone or ancient monument

Is creativity really dead?

By Tom May published

The industry needs clear leadership on AI, not vague provocations about 'making stuff'.

Creative Careers
The Honor Magic V5 foldable smart phone.

This foldable smartphone is like an iPad mini and iPhone 17 Pro combined

By Tom May, Beren Neale published

If you're looking for a foldable phone, check this sweet deal.

Phones & Tablets
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