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A close-up of textured, deep purple organic forms with golden, crystalline edges. The shapes are blurred and layered against a plain, light grey background.

An insight into shooting the Creative Review annual cover

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Date
21 April 2015

The cover of this year’s Creative Review annual has been unveiled, and it’s a depiction of a supermodel unlike any other – transforming Daria Werbowy into an eerie, ethereal, coral-like form. The cover was shot by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones, who created the image with the help of floral sculptures by flower artist Rebecca Louise Law, prop-makers FBFX and VFX studio Analog. As with previous years’ covers, the picture forms a somewhat abstract “A.” Former designers, who also created an “A”-based image for the cover, include Morag Myerscough and Minivegas.

“Images feature a digital double of Werbowy wrapped in a floral sculpture,” the photographers explain. “[She] was photographed using a custom 3D scanning rig built by FBFX…which fires over 100 DSLR cameras simultaneously, capturing still and moving subjects from every angle in just a few seconds.

“Digital models of Werbowy were then rendered by Analog. This involved creating highly detailed, realistic CG flowers and foliage, as well as the striking textures applied to Werbowy’s skin.”

Two side-by-side images show a close-up of a person’s face with eyes closed and a nose ring. The images are heavily pixelated around the edges, fading into a solid black background.
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Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

A 3D render of a figure’s head and shoulders, appearing to dissolve or merge into organic, leaf-like shards. The monochromatic image is set against a plain, pale grey background.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

A close-up of a textured, organic sculpture in shades of deep purple and earthy brown. The form is composed of irregular, bulbous shapes and rough, pitted surfaces.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

A 3D render shows four figures in different poses, each adorned with floral arrangements. Below them, the numbers “101”, “87”, “73” and “71” appear above the text “HERO ?”.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

A close-up of textured, deep purple organic forms with shimmering gold accents. The shapes are blurred and abstract, set against a plain, pale grey background.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

The cover of Creative Review magazine features a person whose face and body are covered in shimmering, metallic silver makeup. They wear an elaborate, sculptural headpiece and collar made of textured, organic forms and purple flowers.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Creative Review annual cover work-in-progress shot

A black and white photo of a fashion shoot in progress. A person wearing an intricate floral outfit and headpiece stands between studio lights and crew members.
Above

Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones: Daria on set for Creative Review annual cover shoot

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About the Author

Emily Gosling

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Emily joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in the summer of 2014 after four years at Design Week. She is particularly interested in graphic design, branding and music. After working It's Nice That as both Online Editor and Deputy Editor, Emily left the company in 2016.

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