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With the sheer amount of 'quarantine content' doing the rounds these days, it's hard to know what's worth your time. From work from home guides to the dystopian daily onslaught that is the news, you'd be forgiven for never wanting to see words like 'quarantine' and 'isolation' again. But trust us, one look at the A-Z of Quarantine is bound to raise a knowing smile (perhaps even 26 of them). The A-Z of Quarantine is a simple yet beautifully designed website that uses the alphabet "to produce a living document of the minutiae of life under lockdown". It's a hugely relatable and humorous exploration of lockdown life, from 'Art' to 'Zoom'. "Instead of climbing the walls, you could paint them?" says the former entry, while the latter aptly describes Zoom as, "The tool you use to show your boss you’ve managed to get out of bed." Want to make your own beautiful website? Check out our favourite web design tools. A screenshot from the A-Z of Quarantine It helps that the website looks great. Accompanying copywriter Zosia Swidlicka's short but hilarious descriptions are a series of experimental animated letter forms using an AI-powered typeface by designer Barney McCann. These mesmerising letters are described as "the closest thing you can get to a computer’s handwriting." Sounds familiar Some of our favourite examples from the alphabet include 'C' for 'Cats' ("Learn from the best: stare out of the window for a few hours, clean behind your ears, and sleep when you’re tired; ideally across a nearby human’s keyboard"), 'K' for 'Kids' ("All that quality time they’re spending with your iPad") and 'O' for 'Old flames' ("When your ex thinks now’s the perfect time to get back in touch"). Swidlicka and McCann plan to update the A-Z periodically, as our experience of the "new normal" continues to change at such a dizzying rate. You can submit your own suggestions by commenting under each letter on the A-Z of Quarantine Instagram page (above). 'Whether you’re feeling bored, anxious or alone," says Swidlicka, "we hope this dystopian dictionary provides you with a moment of connection, or at the very least, distraction." Judging by the fact that we now want to send it to everybody we know, we think they hit the spot. Related articles: This artists' activity pack will keep you busy for days How not to live in creative isolation Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus View the full article

Spring's finally rolling in, but the odds are that you're not really feeling it thanks to the Coronavirus lockdown. Outside the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing, but where's the fun in that when you're stuck inside? Even if you can't get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring, you can always bring the season inside and add a Spring touch to your designs. If you're up to speed with your watercolour techniques you could paint your own brightly-coloured floral designs; for an easier time, though, we've found a selection of beautiful patterns that'll inject a bit of seasonal warmth into any project. The best free pattern generation tools 01. Mimosa and Camellia These mimosas and camellias will warm up any design Designed by Hala Kobrynska, Mimosa and Camellia is guaranteed to wake up your senses with its combination of bright yellow mimosas set against cream camellia flowers and dark green leaves and branches. This stunning pattern set comes with 23 seamless patterns, as well as a pair of JPGs with all the elements set against a white background, and if you want to roll your own patterns you also get 25 transparent PNG files, each containing a separate element. Mimosa and Camellia will cost you $15 for a personal licence, while a commercial licence will set you back just $25. 02. Pink Blossoms Here you get six different designs featuring pink blossoms Here's just the thing if you're not feeling in the pink right now. Volume 1 of Larysa Zabrotskaya's Watercolour Floral Patterns collection is all about the delicate pink blossoms, artfully arranged in high-resolution seamless patterns. There are six patterns supplied, both as JPGs and transparent PNGs, so if you're not sold on the white background you can add your own more colourful backing. A personal license will cost you $5, but you'll probably want to pay $6 for a commercial license. 03. Another Side A floral design seen from an unusual angle Providing a fun and intriguing twist on the usual floral pattern is Another Side, designed by Katerina Murysina. Instead of providing the standard view of Spring flowers, it shows them from a different angle, as if you were lying in a meadow and seeing them from below, with stems and leaves taking the forefront, as well as caterpillars, ants and snails. There are six colour schemes available, with prices starting at $39.75 each for both personal and commercial use. 04. Snipe Pattern This fab ornithological pattern's free to use The snipe is a medium sized wading bird recognisable by its long bill, which you might spot by a lakeside if you were allowed to go out at the moment. For now, though, you can enjoy the sight of it in the lovely Snipe Pattern from Vecteezy. You get a whole flock of snipes set against assorted foliage, rendered in nicely on-trend muted tones, and it's free to use as long as you provide attribution. 05. Spring Lily Flowers Colourful lilies make for a great Spring look Lilies have something of a funereal reputation, but they come to life in this Spring Lily Flowers pattern from woodhouse84 on Vectorstock. Here the lilies come in assorted vibrant shades instead of the usual white, and set against a near-black background they really stand out. This seamless vector pattern comes in both raster and vector formats, and prices start at $14.99 for a standard license that allows for most commercial uses. 06. Cherry Blossom Instantly evoke the feeling of Spring in Japan with this pattern For a distinctly Japanese take on Spring, check out Hala Kobrynska's Cherry Blossom design. The annual appearance of cherry blossom – or sakura – is a huge thing in Japan, and Kobrynska's vector interpretation of it is a sight to gladden the heart. There are 16 seamless high-resolution patterns included in this collection, in EPS, JPG, PDF and TIFF formats, and they'll cost you $19 for a personal license or $29 for the commercial version. 07. Spring Flowers We love this combination of spring flowers with a geometric design There's nothing like the sight of daffodils to evoke warm Spring feelings, especially if you live in the UK, and this Spring Flowers pattern, another design from woodhouse84, has plenty of them as well as other Spring blooms. We love the way that the warm yellow flowers are set against a black and white geometric pattern; it gives the whole design a fresh, lively feel. As with woodhouse84's other pattern, it comes in assorted formats and is available from $14.99. 08. Vector Floral Flowers and butterflies – what's not to love? Blooms and butterflies are a wonderfully Spring-like combination, and Vector Floral, a pattern from Freepik, puts them together beautifully. It uses silhouettes of butterflies and flowers, coloured in warm, earthy tones, and layers them to create an abstract seamless pattern that would make for a brilliant background. It's a premium resource from Freepik; subscribe from €7.50 per month to get it, as well as over two million other vector designs. Related articles: How to draw a rose Create a repeating pattern in Photoshop How to create repeat patterns in Illustrator View the full article

Novel hack allows an attacker to create a mouse-over in a PowerPoint file that triggers the installation of malware. View the full article

Hundreds of thousands of malware files are disguised as well-known social conferencing and collaboration apps. View the full article

As lives across the world are changed by the coronavirus pandemic, magazines face a number of dilemmas, such as dealing with cancelled events and shoots, and choosing what to cover when the world is talking about one thing. In response, Vogue Italia has revealed that its April cover will be blank, in tribute to victims of the virus. The cover was revealed on the magazine's Instagram page, along with a statement by editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti explaining the decision. This is the first time in its history that the magazine will feature a blank white cover, and it's a bold statement from such a powerful title. Magazine covers are often a vehicle for risk-taking design work (take a look at some of the most controversial covers of all time). In his statement, Farneti reveals that the magazine dropped the other projects it was working on, because "its noblest tradition is never to look the other way." Farneti added, "To speak of anything else – while people are dying, doctors and nurses are risking their lives and the world is changing forever – is not the DNA of Vogue Italia." Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the best print ads ever. The cover, designed by Vogue Italia's creative director Ferdinando Verderi, represents respect and rebirth, as well as the uniforms of "those who put their own lives on the line to save ours". Farneti also says it harks back to the Great Depression of the 1930s, after which the colour white "was adopted for clothes as an expression of purity in the present, and of hope in the future." Farneti explains that he had three goals for the issue, which will be published on 10 April. He wanted to look beyond the turmoil and imagine a world "without indulging in self-pity", to be the first fashion publisher to create a "snapshot of this new world" (by gathering a community of artists stuck at home), and to publish the first plain white cover in the magazine's history. Vogue Italia's editor-in-chief, Emanuele Farneti While some brand responses have felt like opportunism (not least the influx of 'socially-distanced' logos shared by everyone from McDonald's to Audi), Vogue Italia's effort, while audacious, feels like a respectful message of both introspection and hope – especially considering Italy is reportedly one of the worst-hit countries by the virus. We can't help but wonder what will what the contents of the magazine will look like – will the various glossy ads be gone too, or is it business as usual inside? Still, the cover at least is a sensitive statement from Vogue Italia. "White is not surrender," says Farneti, but a blank sheet waiting to be written." Related articles: Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus Netflix concept ads will ruin your day Louis Vuitton's new campaign is gloriously retro View the full article

There could not be a better time than the present to find a new side hustle, or ramp up an existing one into a possible full-time career. If you feel like learning new skills could broaden your options, the 2020 Side Hustle Bundle offers a pretty wide range of choices for you to consider. Aspiring writers, this is your chance If you've been dreaming of becoming a freelance writer, but didn't know how or where to start, this is probably the information you were missing. In Freelance Writing 101, you'll discover how to find a writing niche that is both interesting and profitable. You'll also learn how to create a pitch that will be effective at helping you stand out in the multitude of pitches editors receive every day, to increase your chance of receiving a response. Generate revenue while you're sleeping with e-commerce Mercari is a new alternative to Amazon or eBay, and you can get in before the competition builds up. This Mercari Masterclass will help you understand the platform, tell you what sells best and for how much. You will learn all about how to research and list products, where to get free and cheap items to resell, and rank your store so that it's one of the first to come up when users search for products you carry. Hands-on learning to become a graphic designer The best way to learn is by doing, and 47 Photoshop Projects for Aspiring Graphic Designers will guide you through actual real-world projects using Adobe Photoshop. In addition to learning how to create and edit like a pro, you'll also find out how to jumpstart a freelance business and get to place over 40 designs on a free portfolio website. Learn the secrets to making six figures as a copywriter Write Like a Six-Figure a Year Copywriter in 2020 uses real-world examples to teach you the essentials of copywriting, then give you hands-on practice. Learn the effective writing processes, powerful words and popular formulas you should use, how to target your audience, three methods to breeze through a first draft and seven step-by-step processes for the valuable skill of writing the most effective headlines. Turn your ideas into audiobooks Audible is one of the quickest ways to earn money online, but getting an audiobook published on the platform can be tricky. In Audio Book Publishing, you'll learn how to use Adobe Audition to narrate audiobooks, then the simplest process to publish them and get initial sales on Audible. Become a successful creative freelancer Freelance Masterclass for Creatives covers both the artistic and practical aspects of turning your creative skills into a full-time career. You'll study the process of creating stories, but also WordPress template basics, finding clients, pricing your work and much, much more. Become a sought after speaker by learning storytelling In the Complete Storytelling course, a public speaking expert will break down all of the techniques necessary to become a captivating presenter and speaker. Now there's no reason you can't be a comfortable and skilled storyteller. You can get the 2020 Side Hustle Bundle today at a 97% discount, for only $34.66. Read more: 16 essential tools for graphic designers in 2020 Free online resources for creatives stuck at home The best cameras for kids in 2020 View the full article

New research used 3D printing technology to bypass fingerprint scanners, and tested it against Apple, Samsung and Microsoft mobile products. View the full article

Sony has revealed its upcoming PS5 controller named DualSense, and it's the most radical departure ever for a PlayStation controller design. Unveiled in a blog post on PlayStation's website, DualSense's headline features involve (as the name might suggest) the senses – particularly touch, with new haptic feedback vibrations. Sounds like it'll feel good, but does it look good? Er, we're not keen. It's been a rocky road for the new system so far design-wise. The PS5 logo reveal was met with disdain in January, and the new controller hasn't fared much better. Fans are unhappy with the white colour as well as the lack of colour-coded buttons. Several Twitter users have pointed out that the new, rounded design looks more like an Xbox controller, while others think it resembles a helmet (keep scrolling to see mockups). You don't need a PlayStation to start gaming. Check out our best iPad deals to get your hands on the powerful gaming tablet. Definitely not the controller's 'good side' With its bloated shape, the DualSense doesn't exactly scream 'first-party' design to us. Ditching the iconic, svelte silhouette of the original in favour of this rounded affair creates the impression of a knock-off that wasn't allowed to use the official shape. And then there's the headache-inducing black-and-white colour scheme which, along with those all-grey buttons, looks like it'll make for a navigational nightmare. And does the touchpad really need to be the size of a small island? All that white space makes the whole thing look unnecessarily large. Sony acknowledges the changes in its blog post. “DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings," says Sony's CEO, Jim Ryan. "Traditionally our base controllers have a single colour", adds Playstation's senior vice president Hideaki Nishino. "As you can see, we went a different direction this time around, and decided on a two-toned design." While no explanation is given for the decision, we're told that Sony went through hundreds of concepts and mockups – we dread to think what they look like. Twitter was quick to pounce on the DualSense design, with various memes quickly appearing (below). One user even slapped a MadCatz logo on it to emphasise how unofficial it looks. In terms of tech, along with its refined haptic feedback, DualSense includes a built-in microphone for talking to friends without a headset, and the 'Share' button has been renamed 'Create'. Sony promises to reveal more on that later, but claims it will "create epic gameplay content to share with the world". It's not all bad news on the design front, though. One Twitter user shared a mockup (above) of how the controller would look if it ditched the two-tone design in favour of a more traditional all-black appearance. This was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with many claiming that it looks "much better" (although several replies suggest the colour-coded buttons still need to make a comeback). Sony typically releases several colour variations of its PlayStation controllers, so we may yet see a more attractive option. Sony is yet to reveal the design of the PS5 itself, but we're bracing ourselves for the results. Still, if it's a powerful enough system, perhaps most gamers won't mind how it looks. Indeed, Sony seems to be favouring function over form with this generation the PlayStation. Of its controller, the brand says it wants gamers "to forget its even in their hands!" Sounds like a good thing to us. Can't wait for the PS5? Check out the best PS4 deals below. Related articles: New PlayStation ad has a gruesome surprise Designer unmasks the secret of the new PS5 logo The PS5 logo we all wanted is here View the full article

Ever since the lockdown began, creatives have been sharing ideas online about how to fill their downtime. There's been an abundance of people offering free classes and courses – you can see some of our favourites in our free online resources post. But what if none of these ideas float your boat, and you’re still searching for fun and enriching ways to fill your empty hours? Here, we suggest seven low-cost or free ways to make use of your downtime that you might not have thought of. 01. Upcycle your clothes Follow fashion designer Christopher Raeburn's guide to upcycling your clothes Right now, our options for buying new clothes are pretty restricted. So if you want a new look, why not rummage through your wardrobe for something old and tired, and bring it back to life with a bit of upcycling? Even if the results don’t go to plan, it can be a fun way to kill time, especially if you get the kids involved. You could, for instance, try tie-dying old T-shirts, socks, etc to give them a new lease of life: you can find guidance for this on Dylon’s website (other dye brands are, of course, available). If you can use a sewing machine, meanwhile, check out these more advanced upcycling tutorials, created by sustainable fashion designer Christopher Raeburn. Who knows, you might get the bug, and make upcycling the new normal in your household, saving you tons of money over time. 02. Make your own electronic music Groovebox allows you to create electronic music on iOS for free Have you always dreamed of making your own music, but never actually had time to sit down and learn an instrument? Well the good news is that there are plenty of free online apps that let you make your own electronic music without any skills whatsoever; all you need is a bit of imagination. A lightweight but fun place for newbies to start is Typatone, which generates musical sequences based on the letters that you type. It’s all very intuitive, and although limited, it could be all you need to, say, create a short jingle or audio logo for your podcast. More importantly, it will help you get a feel for where you’d like to go next with your music making. For more powerful, yet still free, apps we’d recommend giving the following a try. Pattern Sketch is a basic but impressive drum machine, while Online Sequencer allows you to create a sequence using piano, drums and guitar sounds in mere minutes. And at the more advanced end of the scale, Groovebox for iOS is a mobile music studio based around cool synths and drum machines. 03. Study the philosophers What is the meaning of life? How can I be a better person? Will I ever be truly happy? Those might be questions you’ve never had time for before. But if you’ve found yourself aimlessly staring at the walls in recent weeks, they may well have popped into your head and been bouncing around your brain ever since. The good news is that there are answers to be found, by studying the great philosophers. They aren’t necessarily answers that will satisfy you, or that you’ll necessarily agree with, but they will start you thinking about life and existence in a more informed way, and equip you better to come to your own conclusions. Unless you’re particularly academic, though, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend you dive straight into source texts like Plato’s Republic or Spinoza’s Ethics, because without a strong grasp of the historical and cultural context they were written in, it will probably all be a bit baffling. Better to start with a good overview, such as Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn or A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton. If those sound too 'heavy', there are also lighter alternatives that will still give you a good grounding in philosophy. We’d recommend Derren Brown’s Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine, an “anti self-help book” that focuses on how understanding philosophy can help you to be happy; Sophie’s World, a children’s fantasy novel about a girl learning about the philosophers; or Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar, which helps you grasp philosophy through jokes. And if you're skint? All of these books, bar the last, are available as audio books on Audible, which is currently offering a 30-day free trial. 04. Stream live theatre The Metropolitan Opera is streaming a different opera every night during the crisis So far, lockdown has proved a powerful spur to watch the best Netflix shows or sign up to Disney Plus. But you can reach a point where you’ve had enough of conventional TV and movies, so you might want to change things up a little and stream a theatre show. Yes, you’re still technically watching TV, but the atmosphere of the live stage really is a change of pace and atmosphere, and the best performances come close to making you forget you’re not there in person. Whats on Stage has a list of free streams that it's constantly updating, and you'll find something for everyone here, from Shakespeare's Globe to the Edinburgh Fringe. Obviously, all of these performances were captured before the lockdown, but if you’re craving that 'live' experience, you can get it in part by joining live streams from the National Theatre on YouTube every Thursday, which include Q&As with the cast and creative teams afterwards. (Further streams are available to UK state-funded teachers and pupils). Alternatively, if opera’s your bag, check out the nightly live streams by New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Yes, the performances themselves aren’t live, but knowing that viewers around the world will be watching en masse at the same time does provide a nice feeling of communal activity, at a time where we’re all physically separate. 05. Download a free colouring book Tad Carpenter is one of many top-class illustrators who's contributed to Counter-Print’s new colouring book, which is free to download Colouring books for adults have become a huge phenomenon in the last 10 years, offering both stress relief and visual inspiration, and now's the perfect time to give them a try. You don’t even need to spend any money, because in the last few weeks a ton of downloadable colouring books have been created and released for free to help people through lockdown. Top of our list is Counter-Print’s new colouring book made up of contributions from some of the world’s best illustrators, including Malika Favre, Anthony Burrill, Bethan Woollvin, Eva Dijkstra, Jay Cover, Marco Oggian, Miller Goodman, Paul Thurlby, Sigrid Calon, Tad Carpenter and Zipeng Zhu. It’s completely free to download here. Public art bodies around the world are also providing downloadable colouring pages, including The Getty, the Smithsonian, the Toronto Public Library and the National Library of France, as well as universities like the University of Minnesota, the University of British Columbia Library and the University Of Melbourne. You can find a comprehensive list here, and also check out the #colorourcollection hashtag on social media. 06. Share your art process on Twitch Vivisartservice is one of many artists streaming her process on Twitch Live streaming platform Twitch is best known by gamers, but that's not all the service has to offer. It's also increasingly becoming a place where artists share their process live, and interact with the community via the superior live chat facilities. So if you like the idea of sharing your skills with others, building an online community of fans and followers, and ultimately making money from tips, subscriptions and sales of your art, it has many possibilities to offer. Like any unfamiliar social network, of course, Twitch takes some time to get used to. So lockdown could be the perfect opportunity to invest time watching other artists' channels, and joining in conversations, to give you a feel for what's possible and what might work for you. 07. Take an Ivy League course You can take Princeton University's course in Buddhism and Modern Psychology with Robert Wright for free, via Coursera Few of us will ever have the chance to attend one of the world’s elite universities, such as Harvard or Yale, in person. But did you know that you can take online courses from these institutions, without paying a penny? In fact, there are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free, in Computer Science, Data Science, Programming, Humanities, Business, Art & Design, Science, Social Sciences, Health & Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics, Education & Teaching, and Personal Development. Class Central founder Dhawal Shah has compiled this handy guide to what they are and how to access them. On the other side of the Atlantic, too, you can find high quality courses for free from the UK’s Open University and Ireland’s eCollege platform. Read more: Adobe software list: Which apps do you need? You'll want to join this joyful Instagram art club Illustrator gives free drawing classes to kids stuck at home View the full article

We’re big fans of Studio Ghibli’s weird and wonderful output, from the enchanting Spirited Away to the beautiful yet tragic Grave of the Fireflies. In a world of digital effects, its mostly hand-drawn aesthetics are a breath of fresh air, and offer an escape from the real world that's particularly welcome right now. So we were super-excited to discover an exclusive four-part documentary on the studio's co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has just been made completely free to stream online. Originally released in 2019 by Japanese broadcaster NHK, 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki chronicles the life and creative process of the legendary Japanese animator. (We can't all be Hayao Miyazaki, but we can certainly direct you to some great how to draw tutorials if you're eager to learn). Check out the trailer for the documentary below. Try Disney Plus for free for 7 days! The documentary was over a decade in the making. Starting in 2088, Miyazaki allowed a single documentary filmmaker to shadow him at work as he devised what would become his blockbuster, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. As well as exploring his creative process, the documentary sheds some light on Miyazaki's personal life. We see the filmmaker butting heads with his son, Goro as they work together on 2011's From Up on Poppy Hill. The documentary is a fascinating insight into the mind and process of a filmmaking legend, and a must for Studio Ghibli fans – or anybody with an interest in animation. Stream it for free over on the NHK website. Whether you're an old or new Ghibli fan, the studio's filmography is almost guaranteed to spirit you away with its kaleidoscopic visuals and fantastical plots. Thank goodness, then, the whole lot is now available to stream on Netflix. The films have been arriving on the platform over the last few months, with the final seven dropping on 1st April – which means there are over twenty now available for your viewing pleasure. While this sadly doesn't apply to users in the USA and Canada, don't despair – all of the Studio Ghibli films are scheduled to appear on HBO Max when the new streaming service launches next month. Whether we really need a new streaming service is a question for another time – but those 21 Studio Ghibli definitely make it a more enchanting proposition. Related articles: 11 top animation tools for digital artists Netflix wins rights to Studio Ghibli films 24 cool CSS animation examples to recreate View the full article

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A first impression counts in almost all situations, and email marketing is no exception. While some may think that this impression is primarily produced by the design and content displayed inside the most viewed part of the email newsletter, this …View the full article

Android apps launched for citizens in Iran, Colombia and Italy offer cyberattackers new attack vectors. View the full article

These might be strange times, but the Apple rumour mill certainly hasn't stopped for breath. From iPhone 12 concepts to the will-they-won't-they drama of the still unannounced budget iPhone 9, there's been no shortage of speculation among Apple fans over the past few weeks. And today is no exception, with an intriguing iOS 14 concept design thrown into the ring. 9to5Mac reported over the weekend that Apple is working on the first ever widgets for the iOS home screen, and UX designer Parker Ortolani has mocked up a beautiful concept to show us all what these could look like. Ortolani has imagined a framework for developers called Springkit, which would allow them to create three types of home screen view for apps: the standard static icon, a live version of the icon which can display (you guessed it) live information, and a new, full size widget. Looking for iOS apps? Check out our best iPhone apps for designers. Click top right corner to enlarge image In Ortolani's example (above), the Weather app is now a live icon (the size of two standard icons), displaying live weather conditions, while the Activity app is now a full-size widget spanning the length of the entire screen with daily exercise information (we might 'forget' to activate that one). Also according to 9to5Mac, Apple is planning a few changes to the home screen with iOS 14. As well as widgets, it is also working on more wallpaper features including the option to blur the existing wallpaper on the home screen view (while maintaining the original on the lock screen). This makes sense – a busy wallpaper can make navigating icons a little confusing. A leaked screenshot of iOS 14's wallpaper selection screen As with all Apple rumours, it remains to be seen whether these upgrades will see the light of day, but it's always fun to speculate in the meantime. Last week, we saw a brilliant iPhone 12 concept, which did away with the notch completely. And let's not forget, as shown by the recently-announced iPad Pro Magic Keyboard with built-in trackpad, rumours can sometimes become reality. Related articles: iPhone 11 Pro review 25 stunning iOS app icon designs How to make an app for iOS, Android or desktop View the full article

Learning how to draw perspective correctly could change your entire drawing process. Whether drawing traditionally with pencil and paper, or digitally using a graphics tablet, I still construct even the most complicated scenes entirely using the draughting techniques of the horizon line and vanishing points that most people will have learnt in art class. This might seem strangely over-complicated, when it's so easy to quickly mock up a basic version of the scene using 3D modelling programs to guide your drawing, but when you set out a perspective drawing by hand, you give yourself some flexibility in interpreting the method. In following and often slightly bending these rules, you enrich the narrative composition of the image by adding depth, drama and atmosphere. Here are some of the methods that I use most frequently, including one-point perspective and two-point perspective. Also read our guide to the art techniques you need to know, and our roundup of the best how to draw tutorials. The final image, based on the initial perspective drawing above This article was originally published in issue 301 of Computer Arts magazine. Buy issue 301. Read more: The essential guide to foreshortening in art Google's art app turns you into a masterpiece The best pencils for colouring, drawing and sketching View the full article

With people around the world staying at home in order to slow the spread of coronavirus, we've seen lots of brilliant responses from the creative community over the past few weeks. From online drawing lessons to free software, there are now tons of ways to stay inspired at home. And now, Colchester's Firstsite gallery has brought together a crack team of UK artists for a series of activity packs called Art is Where the Home is. The first activity pack is now available to download, and features creative prompts and activities from twelve artists including Antony Gormley, Gillian Wearing and Jeremy Deller. Perhaps the most immediately apparent thing about the document is that it looks like a work of art itself. With its stark, monochrome design, we can certainly tell that this was produced by a gallery. But don't worry, as well as looking beautiful, the pack was clearly designed to be accessible and fun – particularly for children. You don't need any artistic experience to take part (although you should definitely check out our how to draw tutorials if you're keen to learn). The front cover of the activity pack The pack begins with series of prompts (below) from Jeremy Deller, inviting budding artists to "close your eyes and draw a self-portrait", "write a poem in praise of the toilet roll," and more. Things get even craftier elsewhere, with Anthony Gormley offering a lesson in paper chain-making, and Michael Landy encouraging us to build a tower of toilet roll squares because "the grown-ups have bought too much". Many of the activities are guaranteed to raise a smile, such as Gillian Landy's (below), in which we are given template of somebody holding a sign, and asked to draw our own face and write a positive message "to cheer someone up". A few of Jeremy Deller's prompts The packs are designed to be dipped into as you please: "You can choose to do one or two of them, or all of them," the introduction reads. "You can do them on your own or with other people, morning, noon or night." Budding artists are encouraged to share their work online, either with Firstsite's social media accounts, or via its online studio. "Cheer someone up by filling in the blank sign with encouraging words and draw your face on top" - Gillian Wearing It's truly heartening to see so many so many artists continue to inspire creativity while we're all stuck at home – we've put together a list of the best free resources you can enjoy during this time. If the first pack is anything to go by, Firstsite and its artists' offering will be enough to keep people busy and creative for days. You can download the first Art is Where the Home is activity pack on the gallery's website. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to write a poem in praise of the toilet roll. Related articles: Netflix concept ads will ruin your day Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus Illustrator gives free drawing lessons to inspire kids stuck at home View the full article

Many content creators do colour grading every day without realising they're doing it. Changing levels or curves in Photoshop is colour grading. Deciding to take a photograph in black and white is colour grading. Adjusting a person's face colour in After Effects is another excellent example of colour grading. While there are software packages that excel at helping artists change and adjust colour, colour grading really applies to the creative thought process in why colour needs to be adjusted, rather than colour correction, which is making images' work' (see our best photo editing apps for more on this). In this article, I will look at why we need colour grading, and how colour grading can have an intentionally dramatic effect in film and photography. Finally, we will look at some of the best software tools to help with colour grading for video and photography, of which some of the best are free. Is colour grading necessary? A page from the book 'To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios' by Karen Paik shows a Pixar Colour script from The Incredibles Colour grading can be used denote mood, character and time. Considering a colour look for a creative project before production is an essential part of any process. Pixar, one of the masters of storytelling, creates a range of colour scripts before production commence, which indicate the colour palette that will be used for each scene. This ensures that the colour is helping to tell the story rather than fight against it. What's the difference between colour correction and colour grading? Colour grading is more about style than 'fixing' things in an image Even though the tools and software are the same, the difference between colour correction and colour grading is the mental approach taken by the creative team. Colour correction includes tasks like removing spots and dust from an image, removal of skins marks and cropping and composition of the picture. Colour correction is also applicable to making footage from different cameras 'match' so that when the colour grader is applied, a consistent look can be achieved throughout a scene. Colour grading is adjusting the image in specific ways to create a stylistic effect. For example 'crushing' the blacks of an image to make it feel contemporary, or taking the matched shots from a camera and tracking and lightening main characters face so that they stand out. The one essential thing is making sure that any colour choice, whether for colour correction or grading, is made using non-destructive methods. If a camera has a neutral colour or flat profile, or a log profile use that. Render CG using a file type that can support as high a bit depth as the equipment can handle. This will ensure the maximum amount of flexibility in both colour processes. Want to improve your photography? See our post on how to boost your photography skills. What is cinematic colour grading? In cinema, colour grading is a creative choice taken by a creative individual or team on how best to represent the story being told by the use of colour. Naturally, colour grading is heavily influenced by decisions made on set by the director of photography (DOP) and the director. If the production pipeline has ensured that they have been shooting in the most flexible way possible (for example RAW recording or shooting in LOG format), this means that decisions can be made regarding colour grading all the way through to the final edit. CG artists are acutely aware of the need to accommodate colour grading workflows, so use file formats such as EXRs, which store a wide range of colour data. Workflows are being developed like the ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) to ensure colour accuracy across as many different input formats as possible, which will hopefully make colour work less about correction and more about colour grading. Because colour grading is primarily an emotional polish on a film, many feature films leave the colour grade to the very end of the production process. Colour grading will involve the director sitting in a dark room with the colour grader, this can be a standalone post (or the editor on smaller productions) making changes to affect the mood of the entire film. Colour grading in cinema (and TV) can be controversial especially as cinemas and TV look to formats such as HDR. An example of where a colour grade was potentially pushed too far was the Game of Thrones episode The Long Night. Here a beautifully graded episode in the colour suite was rendered muddy and blocky by people watching the episode on regular TVs. What is colour grading in photography? Before (left) and after colour grading (right) Photography is another area where colour grading is hugely influential. Adjusting the mood of a food shot to greener hues may make a salad look tastier for an Instagram shot. Adding some blue to the shadows of a photograph will evoke a more urban look. The use of filters in Instagram and other online social apps is very basic colour grading. As there is a conscious decision being made to adjust the look of the photograph to better represent what the photographer wants. Never be afraid to press the edit button in Instagram and become a power colour grader. How to change the font in your Instagram bio The other big colour grading choice with photography, of course, is whether to shoot in black and white. The choice to use black and white in this age of digital colour is a purely aesthetic one. Therefore it falls under the 'definition' of colour grading, as elements like composition and texture become much more important. Fuji cameras, for example, are popular with their owners not just because of their retro industrial design; but because they offer a range of in-built looks. These looks very closely mimic those of older film stocks and therefore colour grade the inbuilt image accordingly. See our roundup of the best cameras for more on different camera types. Best tools for colour grading The Industry standard Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve offers a professional-grade colour grading and editing toolset for absolutely nothing For moving image content creators there is no better piece of software to learn colour grading on than Blackmagic Design's Davinci Resolve. Davinci Resolve started its life as a colour grading tool, which worked with impressive hardware colour wheel desks. Blackmagic Design has added VFX and editing features to resolve to make it a powerhouse creative tools. The best thing of all is that it is free for any artist on Mac, Windows and Linux. For photographers, there are a wide range of tools available, as mentioned above, don't dismiss the edit tools in apps like Instagram. Snapseed from Google is another excellent colour grading tool available for Android and iOS. On the desktop, Capture One is a fantastic photography editing tool that offers professional-grade toolsets with a similar 'page' approach to DaVinci Resolve. Read more: 7 colour trends to watch in 2020 The 10 best 3D movies of 2020 Portrait photography: How to take perfect portraits View the full article

You may have dreamed of working from home for ages, or you might love studio life so much that it's never even occurred to you. Thanks to Covid-19, though, working from home is almost certainly your reality right now, and you might be having trouble adjusting. No matter whether you're a junior designer or an art director, the sudden shift to working from home can be discombobulating, and the hardest part can be coping with all the distractions that you don't get when you're working in a studio with like-minded colleagues. To help you adjust, here are six top tips that'll help you stay focused for the duration. How to work from home more productively 01. Get comfortable This might be your preferred method of working on day one, but you're going to need a more ergonomic setup If you're an established home worker than you probably already have a comfortable and ergonomic working setup that enables you to get everything done without wrecking your posture; if you've suddenly had working from home thrust upon you, you might not be so lucky. And while working on the sofa with your laptop on a coffee table may be an acceptable short-term solution, sooner or later you're going to feel the effects. In an ideal world you'd equip yourself with one of the best office chairs you can afford and a desk to go with it; realistically you may have to improvise. A straight-backed chair (with perhaps a couple of cushions added) and a kitchen or dining table should do the trick, enabling you to work in comfort for the duration, without building up an exciting collection of aches and pains. 02. Close down unnecessary apps The modern computer is a wonderful and versatile tool that's been an absolute boon for designers, but it's also an extremely efficient distraction device. And while this is unlikely to be a problem when you're in the creative zone and the pixels or vectors are flowing smoothly, there are plenty of other times when you're simply not feeling the job you're working on and suddenly you've wasted an hour on the web. The easy solution to this is to just shut down the stuff you don't need while you're trying to focus on work. Close your web browser, your email, Slack, Discord and any other potential time-wasters, and keep open the ones you need to get your work done; while you're at it, put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode. You might miss an important email for a bit, but it'll still be there when you've finished. 03. Make a to-do list A to-do list is the simplest and most effective way of ensuring you get things done Without the structure of studio life it can be hard to focus on what you need to do each day, and if you don't have a clear view of that day's tasks it's all too easy to procrastinate. So, start each day by writing out a list of what you have to do – perhaps adding estimates of how long you think each item will take so that you don't overload yourself – and then work through it, crossing each task off as you complete it. It may seem overly simplistic, but when you're at home and feeling disconnected from your usual working environment, it's easy to let things slide; having a to-do list is a great way of keeping yourself honest. 04. Take regular breaks When you look at your average working day in a studio, it's not non-stop work; there are plenty of natural breaks throughout the day, whether they're for getting refreshments or chatting with colleagues about what was on TV last night. Nobody can sit in front of a computer non-stop every day – at least, not for very long – and so you need to make sure you're getting up at least once an hour to take a break, and maybe get out for a bit of exercise while you're at it. This isn't always feasible, of course; if you find that you've hit your stride on a project then it pays to keep going for longer, because the last thing you want is to take a break, come back to it and find that you've lost your momentum. For the most part, though, regular screen breaks are an essential way to take a breather, clear your head for a bit and then get back to work refreshed and focused. 05. Shut the door Sometimes you need to just shut yourself away from all those household distractions If you live alone then you don't need to worry about getting distracted by other people; however if you're sharing your home with other people, whether they're housemates, partners or families, there's plenty of potential for distraction. And don't overlook the likelihood of pets demanding your attention, too. When you need to focus, you might need to impose a bit of office structure and shut yourself away for a bit; explain that you need to work without distraction for a while, close the door and get on with it. Remember, though, to emerge when it's time for a break, especially if you have kids who don't necessarily understand your need to sequester yourself all day. 06. Get some noise-cancelling headphones Still having trouble concentrating on work? Maybe you just need a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Whether it's bored kids, housemates listening to music or an outraged cat howling outside your office door, there are any number of noisy distractions around the house that you can only shut down with decent headphones equipped with active noise control. You might use them to put a playlist of background music, or you might prefer some soothing white or pink noise to help you concentrate. But if the noise cancellation's up to snuff then merely having them on without any sound playing can do a great job of eliminating unwanted sonic distraction; you can find our pick of the best noise-cancelling headphones here. Related articles: 12 tips for the work-at-home ninja The best office stationery for working from home 6 ways to make money from home as a creative View the full article

More zero-day exploits coming up for sale by NSO Group and others is democratizing the attack vector and placing them within reach of less sophisticated attackers. View the full article

The FBI is cracking down on the practice of Zoom bombing, saying the hijacking of web conferences can be punishable by jail time. View the full article

The white hat hacker who discovered the vulnerabilities received a $75,000 from Apple's bug-bounty program. View the full article

The attacks are being carried out against Chinese government interests worldwide, according to Qihoo 360. View the full article

Did you know that learning a new language has benefits for everyone, from young to old? The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology published a study showing that, on tasks requiring their working memory, bilingual children outperformed monolingual ones. While, in the largest study so far, scientists discovered that monolingual speakers tend to develop dementia as much as five years earlier than people who speak more than one language. There are all kinds of reasons to learn a new language. It's actually been proven to improve your memory, or even keep dementia at bay. Using an app like Babbel (one of the best language learning apps) can make it a lot easier for you. Other studies show benefits of increased cognitive abilities, attention spans, multi-tasking skills, even developing a bigger brain! And, of course, it is also useful for preparing to travel or communicating better with friends and family. The Babbel app takes advantage of today's advanced technology to let you learn new languages more efficiently. And you can currently get the app at a whopping 60 per cent discount– bringing the price of a lifetime subscription down from $399 to $159. How does Babbel teach you a language? With lessons that are only 10 to 15 minutes long, you can fit them in almost any time. And the skill levels go all the way from total beginner to advanced. So if you already have skills that just need to be built upon, or you're starting from scratch, you will easily progress from one stage to the next. Babbel's lessons focus on practical conversation. Instead of learning random vocabulary, you will become confident when speaking about business, transportation, lodging, dining, shopping, asking for directions and much more. One of the features that makes Babbel an effective language tool is its capacity for personalisation. The speech recognition technology allows your pronunciation to be tested, so you get as close as possible to the way it's supposed to be. The review sessions, as well, are tailored to reinforce the things you need to learn so that they stick with you. Babbel can be used offline, so you aren't limited to practicing only when you have access to the internet. You can download courses, lessons and review items beforehand and access them in offline mode. Between that and being able to sync across devices, you can pretty much study whenever and wherever it's convenient for you. You can learn Italian, French, Spanish, German and more, for a total of 14 languages. The retail price for a lifetime subscription to all the languages is $399. But you can save $249 dollars by taking advantage of the 60% discount being offered today, and get the lifetime subscription for only $159. Read more: The best mindfulness apps in 2020 How to make your app accessible The best travel laptops of 2020 View the full article

UK charity Bloodwise has revealed a brand new name as well as a new visual identity designed by Pentagram's Marina Willer. Now known as Blood Cancer UK, the charity hopes its new, descriptive name will help it reach the people who need the people who need it most. At the centre of the new visual identity is the logo: a hand-drawn heart, placed at an angle so as to also resemble the letter 'B'. It's an ingeniously simple design that not only emphasises the charity's name and focus on blood cancer, but also conveys a sense of kindness and compassion. According to Pentagram, the 'B' also stands for the word 'Because', which is the focus of the charity's latest poster campaign. Looking for more logo design inspiration? Check out our best logos of all time. The charity's new name and logo The new posters, each containing a sentence starting with the word 'Because', highlight the charity's various activities from funding research to emotional and practical support. One reads, "Because we research, we care, we support", while others emphasise the personal impetus behind Blood Cancer UK's work by simply using names ('Because of Carol'). Part of Blood Cancer UK's 'Because' campaign Founded in 1960, the charity supports those who have been affected by blood cancer, as well as funding research. While there are several charities working in this area, Blood Cancer UK is the only one that claims to provide funding and support for all the different types of blood cancer (of which there are over 100). The charity's name change is its second in five years (before Bloodwise it was known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research). According to a blogpost on Blood Cancer UK's website, it realised the 'Bloodwise' name was holding it back. In contrast to other charities, the charity had recently seen its donations fall. "Many people didn’t realise we were a blood cancer charity. We wanted to make sure our name makes it as obvious as possible what we do." One of the new posters designed by Pentagram "While the prognosis is positive," says Pentagram, "there is still much work to do." We're big fans of Blood Cancer UK's new identity. The new name makes its purpose much clearer, as does the logo – which even manages to use a blood-red colour in a way that doesn't make us feel squeamish. If we had one criticism, we'd say the heart symbol could potentially be confused with The British Heart Foundation's, although the hand-drawn nature certainly sets it apart. Ultimately, it's a simple yet emotive mark that conveys a sense compassion for those requiring the charity's services as it continues its vital work. Related articles: Durex rebrand hits the spot with a sexy new logo Polaroid rebrand is an instant pick-me-up Where to find logo design inspiration View the full article

During life under lockdown, you can approach TV in two different ways. You can stay glued to rolling news from morning to night, until you’re thoroughly miserable. Or you can focus on the positive: you finally have time to catch up on those streaming boxsets friends have been urging you to watch. But what happens when you’ve finished those? While the Netflix interface is great at letting you search by title, keyword, actor or genre, the one category you’re really interested in, 'good', isn’t actually listed. So let us help. In this post, we’ve unearthed the true, rare gems amongst the hundreds of TV shows dumped on Netflix. These 20 boxsets, beginning with the most recent, and finishing with a few genuine classics, cover a wide range of genres, but are united by one thing: they’re all absolutely first-class. If you've got more time on your hands, also check out our collection of how to draw tutorials. 01. Next in Fashion Next in Fashion is a cut above other reality shows Genre: Reality contest Number of seasons: 1 What happens: Fashion designers compete for big money Why watch it?: It’s colourful, glamorous and super-inspiring Watch in UK Watch in US Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of reality TV. There’s the Kardashians type, where there’s a lot of arguing, but not much actually happens. Then there’s the Bake Off or MasterChef approach, where people step out of their comfort zone, improve their skills, and take you with them on their emotional journey. Next in Fashion lies in the latter category, as a group of fashion designers compete for $250K and the chance to become “the next big thing in fashion”. Two things in particular make this show stand-out: the diversity of the contestants, and the imaginative brilliance of their creations. So even if you’re not at all interested in fashion, or think you don’t like reality TV, believe us: watch just one episode of this show, and you’ll be hooked. 02. The Stranger The Stranger is full of thrilling twists and turns Genre: Thriller Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A stranger goes around town revealing people’s secrets Why watch it?: Every second is filled with intrigue and excitement Watch in UK Watch in US American novelist Harlan Coben is one of the century’s greatest crime writers, but it’s taken a long time for his books to be successfully adapted for TV. Finally, however, Netflix has bottled his genius into a series of UK-set dramas: The Five (no longer available), Safe and most recently and compellingly, The Stranger. In this eight-part series, Hannah John-Kamen is entrancing as the mystery woman who goes around town revealing people’s secrets. This causes a whirlwind of tragic consequences, played out compellingly by top-class actors including Richard Armitage, Dervla Kirwan, Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Rea and Anthony Stewart Head. All in all, this show rises above the norm due to its perfectly formed plotting, its grounded sense of realism, and its empathy for the characters, who invariably come across as sympathetic; even the wrong’uns. 03. You You is captivatingly sinister Genre: Dark drama Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A sociopath creepily inserts himself into a woman’s life Why watch it?: It’s super-tense and full of surprises Watch in UK Watch in US Ever wondered what it’s like inside the head of a sociopath? If not, then maybe give this one a miss. But if you’re intrigued by the idea of a stalker explaining, carefully and methodically, the creepy methods he uses, you’ll find this dark and disturbing drama a wild and fascinating ride. Be warned: none of the characters in this New York-set drama are at all likeable, which is kind of the point. But with its talented cast, nuanced social commentary, and stunning cinematography, You is compelling from start to finish. Plus you’ll learn plenty about the art of preserving old books along the way. 04. Sex Education Sex Education isn't perfect, but it's tons of fun Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A tough girl sets up a nerdy lad as a sex therapist Why watch it?: It’s funny, smart and very sexy Watch in UK Watch in US The polar opposite to the darkness of You, Sex Education is a colourful, fun and sexually explicit comedy-drama that will put a smile on your face and make you forget all your lockdown woes. It follows a nerdy but empathetic lad, who’s enlisted by a tough teenage girl to sell their fellow pupils sex therapy sessions. And yes, that’s as ridiculous as it sounds... but it’s very entertaining nonetheless. Admittedly, this show is not perfect. For a start, this allegedly British school looks very much like an American one, with its pep rallies, Letterman jackets and focus on the swim team and school band. We also don’t understand how these kids, with their working-class accents and attitudes, mostly seem to live in ski lodges and millionaire mansions. But you quickly forget all of that, because the story does such a good job of capturing the emotional whirlwind that is being a teenager. You’ll soon start to care deeply about these carefully drawn characters, and crave to find out what happens to them next. Or at the very least, you’ll be reminded how glad you are not to be at school any more. 05. Star Trek Discovery (not USA) You don’t need to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy Discovery Genre: Sci-fi Number of seasons: 2 What happens: War erupts between two galactic empires Why watch it?: It’s engaging drama with great storylines Watch in UK There’s been an awful lot of Star Trek since the original show in the 1960s. In the 1970s came the spin-off movies, books and cartoon series. In the 1980s and 1990s, the show returned to TV in the form of Next Generation, followed by Deep Space Nine and Voyager. In this century we’ve had Enterprise, the JJ Abrahms movie reboots, and most recently, two new TV series in the form of Discovery, a prequel to the original 60s show, and in 2020, Picard. If this all sounds confusing, here are two things you need to know. Firstly, Star Trek: Discovery is very good. And secondly, you don’t need to have watched any Star Trek before to enjoy it. Precisely because it’s a prequel, there’s no continuity to worry about, and so it’s a great jumping off point for enjoying this much-loved world of space adventure. In fact, that applies even if you’re not a sci-fi fan in general, because it’s simply a good story, told well. There’s one big caveat, though: it takes a little time to find its way, and the first couple of episodes are in honesty not that great. But stick with it and from episode three onwards, you’ll get a good return on the time you’ve invested. 06. Our Planet Our Planet documents the effect of climate change across the globe Genre: Nature documentary Number of seasons: 1 What happens: Climate change impacts animals in the wild Why watch it?: To educate yourself and marvel at nature’s wonder Watch in UK Watch in US Sir David Attenborough is well known as the guru of BBC wildlife documentaries, which have become ever grander and more epic in recent years. But for his latest series, Our Planet, he wanted instead to partner with Netflix. Why? Because the theme of this particular series is the environmental crisis, and he wanted the widest possible global audience for his message. The show brings us a variety of animals around the world and portrays, in stunning detail, how their personal environments have been affected by climate change and other ecological issues. And as you’d expect it’s a thought-provoking, dramatic, wonderfully shot and endlessly entertaining watch. 07. After Life After Life carves comedy out of the most unlikely subjects Genre: Black comedy Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A bereaved reporter takes out his anger in obscene ways Why watch it?: It’s hilarious, bad-taste comedy with a heart of gold Watch in UK Watch in US Is lockdown life making you miserable? Then you might think a black comedy about a man contemplating suicide wouldn’t help. But in the case of After Life, you’d be wrong, for two reasons. Firstly, the awful ways that main character Tony, played by Ricky Gervais, takes out his anger at the death of his wife are brilliantly, cathartically funny... and at a time like now, a bit of catharsis is no bad thing. And secondly because, in small and subtle ways, the show suggests things can get better, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. That doesn’t happen in a predictable or formulaic manner, though. Throughout the six, perfectly formed episodes, the lives of the ensemble cast veer from tragic to hilarious in a series of unexpected ways, and you’re kept guessing how everything will turn out. Of course, Ricky Gervais is comedy Marmite, and if like many, you find him genuinely irritating, you should probably give After Life a miss. But if you have enjoyed his past performance in The Office, Extras or his comedy movies, do be assured that this is his best, and most endearing work yet. 08. Glow Glow twins '80s nostalgia and glamour with social issues Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 3 What happens: Misfits put together a female wrestling show Why watch it?: It’s a heartwarming tale of triumph against the odds Watch in UK Watch in US American wrestling is all about outlandish spectacle and over-the-top, scripted entertainment, but what lies beneath the facade? That’s the question posed by this comedy drama, set in 1980s LA, which follows a motley crew of outcasts and losers putting together a female wrestling show for late-night cable TV. The story is fictional, but is based on the real-life women's wrestling and variety show that aired during the late '80s, and many of the characters are inspired by real wrestlers, too. So while there’s a ton of fun to be found here, from the witty back-and-forths to the soapy sub-plots, Glow always keeps one foot in the real world. This means that when themes like sexual harassment are introduced into the mix, it doesn’t kill the mood, but only makes you engage more with the easy-to-love characters and their constant challenges. 09. The Good Place The Good Place is a mix of sitcom farce and philosophical teachings Genre: Comedy Number of seasons: 4 What happens: A woman arrives at The Good Place by mistake Why watch it?: To laugh, and learn about philosophy Watch in UK Watch in US Spending time at home on lockdown, with little to do, can prompt you to start pondering the philosophical questions of life. But where do the answers to such questions lie? A fast-paced, high energy sitcom is probably the last place you’d look… but actually, that’s exactly what The Good Place is all about. In this fantasy comedy, Eleanor, an unpleasant woman played by Kristen Bell (above), dies and finds herself in The Good Place, an afterlife for the morally just. Only, she’s in the wrong place due to a case of mistaken identity, and so to avoid being sent to hell, she sets about hiding her past and taking ethics lessons, so she can blend into The Good Place better. It’s a clever concept, and the show keeps things interesting by introducing us, along with Eleanor, to a series of ethical philosophies and dilemmas, and dramatising how they play out in practice. There are a lot of laughs to be had as Eleanor gets increasingly tied up in her tangled web of lies. And unlike the other shows on this list, the episodes are nice and short, so work well for plugging brief gaps in your day. 10. The Assassination of Gianni Versace Discover the grim story behind a celebrity murder Genre: True-life crime drama Number of seasons: 1 What happens: The life of Andrew Cunanan, assassin of Gianni Versace Why watch it?: It’s grim but fascinating Watch in UK Watch in US From the people who brought you The People vs. O.J. Simpson in 2016 (also on Netflix, and also highly recommended) comes another true-life crime drama, but this time about a subject most of us know little about. In 1997, Italian fashion icon Gianni Versace was shot execution-style on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion. This show takes that event as its starting point, and then retraces the life of his killer, portraying in clinical detail the shocking sequence of events that led him up to this point. It’s by no means a fun watch, then, and if you want something uplifting, you’ll need to look elsewhere. It is however, exceptionally well acted, masterfully shot and utterly compelling from start to finish. 11. The OA The OA is the most out-there show we’ve seen Genre: Sci-fi fantasy Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A missing woman returns, shrouded in mystery Why watch it?: At each stage, you have no idea what will happen next. Watch in UK Watch in US We're already starting to miss travel, but here’s a show that will truly take you on a voyage of the imagination. The OA is difficult to describe without giving the plot away, but suffice to say that this is about as far away from formulaic drama as you can get. Instead, it will truly make your mind boggle and, at times, your heart race. With a cinematic and epic feel, this drama tells the story of Prairie Johnson, a young woman who’s resurfaced after having been missing for seven years. She now calls herself 'The OA' and can see, despite having been blind before her disappearance. From here on in, you will spend every episode not knowing where the story is going, or even what genre you’re watching. And take it from us, you will enjoy every, increasingly deranged, minute. 12. Lost in Space Lost in Space is a high-stakes adventure for all the family Genre: Sci-fi Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A family crash-lands on an alien planet Why watch it?: Pure escapism Watch in UK Watch in US Miss going to the cinema to see the latest film? Well, while Lost in Space is technically a television production, every episode of this spacefaring family drama feels like a blockbuster movie; more so than any show we’ve seen to date. They've spend a lot of money on this. A reboot of the 1965 series of the same name, which itself was a reimagining of the 1812 novel The Swiss Family Robinson, it follows a family on their way to make a new life on another planet. But they crash on a much more inhospitable one, and there, they must contend with a series of strange and unexpected terrors, all the time battling their own personal demons. Much more gritty and serious than its camp Sixties predecessor, Lost in Space is nonetheless a great watch for all the family, and maintains its super-high production values through the two seasons that have aired so far. 13. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Life for Sabrina the Teenage Witch is not as carefree in this new incarnation Genre: Teen fantasy Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A half-witch tries to balance the mortal and Satanic worlds Why watch it?: For the clever script and great performances Watch in UK Watch in US Another camp show from times past reinvented as more serious fare, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina couldn’t be more different than the 1990s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which starred Melissa Joan-Hart. Set in the same universe as teen drama Riverdale (also on Netflix), this brooding new production follows a half-human, half-magical teenager attending a school in the mortal realm. The servants of Satan, however, wish her to attend the supernatural Church of the Night, a kind of Hogwarts for baby eaters, and Sabrina finds herself torn between two incompatible worlds. What follows is a weird mix of teen drama, camp comedy and grotesque horror that can veer wildly in tone from one moment to the next... but never gets boring. Admittedly, it’s no Buffy, but it is highly original, beautifully shot and frequently enthralling. In truth, people seem to love it and loathe it in equal measure, but watch the first episode and you’ll soon know which side of the fence you’re on. 14. Lucifer The Devil reinvents himself as a detective Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 3 What happens: The devil moves to LA and becomes a detective Why watch it?: It’s charming and witty Watch in UK Watch in US Typical: you wait ages for a Satanic comedy-drama, then two come along at once. Based on the DC Comics character The Sandman, Lucifer uses supernatural horror to reinvigorate the procedural detective show; it’s basically Castle with added brimstone. The conceit here is that the Devil has abandoned Hell for Los Angeles, where he runs his own nightclub and becomes a consultant to the LAPD. If that sounds a little far-fetched, it is, but the actors play everything straight, and you just kind of go with it. While the plots are derivative, it’s the central performance by Tom Ellis that really raises this show; he’s both devastatingly charming and the kind of broken villain you just can’t help empathising with. Plus the production values are super-slick, the supporting cast are compelling, and just when you feel things are dragging, there’s another big twist to pull back your interest. 15. Wild Wild Country The true story behind a cult community will astonish you Genre: Documentary series Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A cult leader builds a city in the desert Why watch it?: It’s riveting, and empathetic to all sides Watch in UK Watch in US Documentary series can be very hit and miss, but here’s one that we couldn’t leave off this list. It traces the story of how a controversial guru built a utopian city in the Oregon desert during the 1980s, causing a sharp conflict with local people. If that’s not a story you’re familiar with, you’re not alone; but it’s one that’s masterfully told, and you’ll soon be on the edge of your seat. Note, though, that while this documentary series is dramatic, it’s also respectful and by no means exploitative. People on both sides get a say, reflecting the true complexity of the situation and leaving the audience to make up their own minds. 16. Queer Eye Five experts give makeovers Genre: Reality show Number of seasons: 4 What happens: Five gay experts give life makeovers Why watch it?: It’s heartwarming and full of great life tips Watch in UK Watch in US There are makeover shows, and makeover shows. Queer Eye, a Netflix reboot of the 2003-2007 ABC series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, is a breed apart. Each episode features a team of gay professionals in the fields of fashion, grooming, interior design, entertaining and culture, who perform a life makeover for someone in need of advice. The team revamp their wardrobe, redecorate their house, and offer advice on grooming, lifestyle and food. There are usually tears. While many makeover shows have a shallow and consumerist focus, Queer Eye goes deep into the family dynamics, communication issues and personal psychology of its subjects, and tries to promote life changes that are more than just surface-level. So even if you think you have little in common with a truck-driving redneck from Missouri, this show might well surprise you. 17. Black Mirror Welcome to the future, and it’s not always what you expect Genre: Futuristic sci-fi Number of seasons: 5 What happens: A series of dramas play out in future worlds Why watch it?: To see where society is heading Watch in UK Watch in US Even if you haven’t seen Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi anthology series, you’ve probably heard people say "It’s just like something out of Black Mirror" when groundbreaking new tech is launched. That’s because this show is set in the near future, and each self-contained episode examines the unexpected effects that imagined technological innovations might have on ordinary people. With a dark sense of humour running throughout it, this British-made, but now Netflix-funded show, has very high production values, is endlessly inventive and will really make you think about where we are going as a society. And apart from anything else, you’ll be able to understand all those conversational references with friends that previously went over your head. 18. Gilmore Girls The Gilmore Girls tackles themes that every family can relate to Genre: Family drama Number of seasons: 5 What happens: The life of a single mum and her daughter Why watch it?: Soapy storylines and witty banter Watch in UK Watch in US The Gilmore Girls may have run from 2000-2007, but it hasn’t dated a bit. Mainly because it’s a show that deals with themes of family, relationships and class that are both timeless and universal. The drama follows the life of a single mother, Lorelai Gilmore, and her daughter Rory, who live in a small town filled with a number of eccentric characters. While it can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages, it's been a particular hit with millennials thanks to its witty dialogue, which is delivered at breakneck speed. (The original promo poster led with the slogan: 'Life’s short. Talk fast'). Plus with an impressive 153 episodes to binge-watch, this is one show that will hopefully last you long beyond the lockdown. 19. Breaking Bad What are people capable of when pushed in the wrong direction? Genre: Crime drama Number of seasons: 5 What happens: A science teacher starts making meth Why watch it?: It’s just awesome Watch in UK Watch in US Launched in 2008, Breaking Bad is the godfather of boxset TV. And yes, your friends are right: it is that good. Just in case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen it yet, it tells the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher in the midst of a midlife crisis. When he gets diagnosed with stage-3 lung cancer, but his insurance won’t pay for the best treatment, he decides to enter the drug business by manufacturing crystal meth. With 139 wins and 229 nominations, Breaking Bad is the most awarded TV show ever, and for good reason. The way it shows a normal, decent man can slowly descend into becoming a violent criminal mastermind is both utterly convincing and terrifying, suggesting that we, too, might be capable of such a transformation. And the ride itself... well, it’s just wonderfully entertaining. 20. Mad Men Mad Men: possibly the greatest TV show ever made Genre: Drama Number of seasons: 7 What happens: Dramatic events at a 1960s New York ad agency Why watch it?: Nostalgia, glamour and characters you’ll fall in love with Watch in UK Watch in US Running from 2007 to 2015, Mad Men is set at a fictional ad agency on Madison Avenue, New York City, in the 1960s. Its main character is the womanising advertising executive Don Draper, and the series tracks the people in his personal and professional life, against the backdrop of changing moods and social mores during the period. The first basic cable series to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, Mad Men is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. And really: do you need to know anything more than that? Read more: Top 10 TV logos of all time The top fictional brands from films and TV Ridiculously named colour palettes will make you smile View the full article