Clare Dowdy, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

The stunning retro space-age homes that are perfect for today

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

Space-age style is skyrocketing in pop culture – in celebrities' homes, at global design fairs and even in blockbuster films. We look back at the stunning retro-futuristic origins of 2025's biggest interiors aesthetic, and ask, why now? From aerodynamic cars to voluminous moonscape-style seating, popular culture and design is going cosmic.
The stunning retro space-age homes that are perfect for today

1 week ago | bbc.com | Clare Dowdy

The stunning retro space-age homes that are perfect for todayLigne RosetSpace-age style is skyrocketing in pop culture – in celebrities' homes, at global design fairs and even in blockbuster films. We look back at the stunning retro-futuristic origins of 2025's biggest interiors aesthetic, and ask, why now? From aerodynamic cars to voluminous moonscape-style seating, popular culture and design is going cosmic.
Proactive, honest and bold - what does a great client relationship look like?

2 weeks ago | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

Jonathan Kirk wants to talk about clients. The Up to the Light founder, and author of the What Clients Think Report – based on 680 client interviews and produced alongside the Design Business Association – believes relationships are key. In fact, he argues that the quality of client relationships, rather than the quality of thinking or creative output, is the biggest differentiator between design agencies. But what does a good client relationship really look like. We spoke with Kirk to find out.
“It stings” - designers discuss having their work replaced

2 weeks ago | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

Whenever a redesign gets a lot of attention, the focus of the design industry and the media is understandably on the new look – whether it’s loved or hated. But what about the design that’s been dumped? Often that work was also unveiled with much fanfare, and heralded as the way forward, a new beginning for the company. The last six months has seen a flurry of this sort of thing. Wolff Olins’ 2021 abrdn mark was rolled back as the brand brought back those much-mocked missing “e”s.
Wildish & Co. creates mascot-led brand for Ding - Design Week

1 month ago | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

Wildish & Co. has come up with the name, branding and icons for a platform that promises to make booking tradespeople “as easy as ordering a pizza.
Why these 1970s cabins are the 'perfect' holiday home

2 months ago | bbc.com | Clare Dowdy

Why these 1970s cabins are the 'perfect' holiday homeVince JonesIn pockets of the British countryside, it's possible to stumble across clusters of beautifully designed, Scandi-style cabins. These aren't a product of the latest trend for off-grid retreats, but were created half a century ago by a pair of Welsh architects, Hird & Brooks. How did they become gripped by crafting the perfect holiday home? And why were they so inspired by Denmark?
“Nostalgia is powerful - but designers should be wary”

2 months ago | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

When people get flustered about a heritage brand making changes, they often have a convincing business argument against the new look. “Abandoning loyal customers!”Poor old Jaguar felt the sharp end of those tongues. More recently, GF Smith took a turn in the firing line. “Do they not see the irony of embracing a kooky ‘digital’ brand for a paper company? The product is by its nature a legacy product,” claimed one incandescent correspondent in response to our story.
As the healthy snack market soars, visual boundaries blur

Jan 16, 2025 | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

Earthling Studio has redesigned the packaging of snack product Crunchits, with a look closer to Monster Munch than worthy, pallid health food brands. Made of edamame, black beans and rice, Crunchits’ new brand idea is “rough around the edges”, according to Earthling’s creative partner Stephen McDavid. It’s the latest product to launch or reposition in the increasingly active healthy snack category.
Jaguar attempts to pounce on the future with major rebrand - Design Week

Nov 19, 2024 | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

As it approaches its 90th anniversary, Jaguar is looking to re-launch its brand to bolster its future plans. “It wasn’t always distinctive enough in the last…
UK’s biggest sign-language school opens new teaching space

Oct 23, 2024 | designweek.co.uk | Clare Dowdy

The UK’s biggest sign-language school for deaf children has a new classroom building by architects Manalo & White and Richard Lyndon Design, whose founder Richard Dougherty is one of five deaf architects qualified to practice in the UK. Heathlands School in St Albans goes from nursery through to Year 13, and operates from its original 1970s purpose-built primary school campus.