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

Anna from Frozen 2 stands with a concerned expression, one hand over her heart, against a misty background of autumn-colored trees.
This is the most magical thing Disney's made in a long time

By Tom May Published

Moana, Anna and Mirabel all use sign language in these songs.

Animation
Apple MacBook Neo
How the heck do creatives choose between iPad and Mac in 2026?

By Tom May Published

The iPad Air is now more powerful than the MacBook Neo.

Laptops
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 CB514-4H-31LB
The best laptops for writers: the perfect platform to pen your masterpiece

By Tom May Published

Find the perfect laptop for writing your next masterpiece.

Laptops
MacBook Pro 14 M5 Max
The best laptops for music production, whether you're a bedroom producer or a studio professional

By Tom May Published

Discover the best laptops for music production on the market.

Laptops
Logos for design software
The best Adobe Illustrator alternatives, for all budgets and skill levels

By Tom May last updated

From Affinity to CorelDRAW, try these top vector-editing tools.

Graphic Design Software
An animated blonde-haired boy stands on a rooftop looking toward a vibrant, whimsical Wonka chocolate factory that emits colorful smoke into a city skyline.
I hate reboots, but the KPop Demon Hunters studio take on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory? That's exciting…

By Tom May Published

Even the most jaded creative should be paying attention.

Animation
A collage of four vinyl record sets
Why are Gen Alpha spending $30+ on records they could stream for free?

By Tom May Published

And what does that mean for creativity as a whole?

Product Design
Apple MacBook Pro 14 M5 (2025)
The 3 best laptops for battery life: keep working all day long, no socket required

By Tom May Published

Live long and prosper Keep working for longer, with the best laptops for battery life.

Live long and prosper
Two Steelcase Leap 2 office chairs in light, bright office with lots of windows
The 3 best-selling office chairs in the US (and the budget dupes actually worth buying)

By Tom May Published

Read this, if you're buying a chair for your home office.

Chairs & Desks
A Cup Noodles branded "Heatless Curls Kit" featuring a box and loose hair accessories like a spray bottle labeled "Broth Boost Finishing Mist," scrunchies, and foam rollers designed to look like ramen noodles against a solid red background.
Which brand won April Fools in 2026?

By Tom May Published

Turns out, joke briefs are often the best briefs.

Branding
Three of the best laptops for students.
The best student laptops: Top models to power through your coursework

By Tom May last updated

Whatever you're studying, these laptops have you covered.

Laptops
The 3 biggest mistakes Apple is making right now

By Tom May Published

Tech
2000s advert mascots
The best adverts of the 2000s

By Tom May last updated

Experts pick the best ads of the 2000s, and explain why they work.

Advertising
Graphic designer at work
Essential tools for graphic designers

By Tom May last updated

Equip your creative arsenal with these must-have tools.

Tech
Hand holding a Poco M7 Pro phone with the Creative Bloq website on the screen
Specs aren't everything: The Poco M7 Pro phone is cheap and I'm never upgrading

By Tom May Published

It's proof that specs on paper aren’t everything.

Phones & Tablets
The best NBA logos: 10 basketball teams that nailed branding

By Tom May last updated

Bringing joy to b-ball fans across North America, these are the best NBA logos in the league.

Logos & Icons
A close-up of a Sanodesk digital control panel with a glowing height display of 86.2 and various touch-sensitive buttons for adjusting a standing desk.
Help! I may be getting sentimental about a standing desk (but it feels like part of the family)

By Tom May Published

It's served me well since 2021, and I love it as much as ever.

Chairs & Desks
The Adobe InDesign splash screen displays artwork by Beka Bekaia featuring a grid of colorful geometric patterns and abstract letterforms against a black background, set over a desktop wallpaper of a serene mountain lake.
This niche Adobe InDesign issue should be a warning to all creatives

By Tom May Published

Real-world experience

Print Design & Publishing
BTS band
I wrote the wrong thing about the world's biggest band – and the backlash taught me much more than just "don't mess with the ARMY"

By Tom May last updated

Speaking to BTS fans held a crucial lesson.

Branding
A crowded trade show or convention floor filled with people gathered around tables to test various high-end audio equipment and headphones.
CanJam NY 2026: My 5 headphone highlights

By Tom May Published

The audio event saw some ambitious headphone launches.

Headphones & Earbuds
Selection of MLB logos
The best MLB logos – 8 iconic designs from the world of professional baseball

By Tom May last updated

We delve into the rich heritage of MLB's most cherished logos.

Logos & Icons
A person wearing a white, nun-like habit and gold lipstick poses with their eyes closed against a textured blue background, overlaid with the large black letters "LUX."
Rosalía broke every branding rule and won – here's what creatives can learn from her

By Tom May Published

Mastering tradition is the key to creative reinvention.

Creative Inspiration
Four children with concerned expressions peer out from behind a red structure into a dark, rocky environment.
What the internet's recent nostalgia trip can teach creatives

By Tom May Published

There was more to #BringBack2016 than meets the eye.

Creative Inspiration
Two HÅG Capisco ergonomic office chairs, one in cream fabric and one in forest green, are positioned at a white sit-stand desk in a sunlit room with beige curtains.
This chair looks weird – but for me it's the best ergonomic office chair

By Tom May Published

The HAG Capisco 8106 isn’t for slumping – that's why it rocks.

Chairs & Desks
A pink laptop is open, displaying a vibrant wallpaper of abstract, vertical pink and blue pill-shaped gradients.
How the MacBook Neo compares to its rivals

By Tom May Published

And should creatives buy one?

Laptops
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