Here are ADF team's picks for what's on in architecture, design and fashion in the UK at the moment. 

From Ear to Ear to Eye

Nottingham Contemporary
Until 4 March 2018

It traces the acoustic lives of different cities and places across the Arab world, bringing together almost 20 artists and researchers. 

'I’ve long been interested in the ability of sound to communicate the experience of architecture and urban environments. While images relayed of the Arab world tend to only relate to catastrophe and crisis, sound, on the other hand, can offer a different perspective on the complex topics of migration, memory, territory and conflict. I’m particularly excited to find out about how the various art forms and research presented in the exhibition relate to the curatorial statement that “sound and music emerge as tools of power and resistance, as ways to silence as well as to give voice”.' Gwen Webber, Programme Manager, Architecture

 Find out more here 

20 Years of Penguin Essentials

Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft
Until 29 April 2018

Penguin Random House UK will take over the Wunderkammer at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft with a celebration of 100 Penguin Essentials.

'The display is a rare opportunity to consider Elizabeth Friedlander’s relationship with one of the most established – and popular – publishing houses in the world. Nothing like cover designs to encapsulate typography, illustration and graphic design. There are some real gems in this, and the exhibition provides a great range of work across 20 years of publishing, with work that’s ground-breaking and sometimes simply really ‘out there’!' João Guarantani, Senior Programme Manager

Find out more here.

Slaves Of Fashion: New Works by The Singh Twins

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Until 20 May 2018

Slaves of Fashion: New Works by The Singh Twins explores the history of Indian textiles, Empire, enslavement and luxury consumerism, and the contemporary relevance of these issues in the world today.

The exhibition showcases almost 20 new artworks by the internationally-renowned artists. Primarily known for their entirely hand-painted work in the Indian miniature tradition, The Singh Twins’ new work combines traditional hand-painting techniques with digitally created imagery.

'Brilliantly satirical and beautifully intricate work, taking on some of the most urgent issues in the textile and fashion industry today.' Naimh Tuft, Programme Manager, Fashion

Find out more here.

Beazley Designs of the Year

Design Museum, London
Until 18 February 2018

Explore the present and future of architecture, fashion, digital and more. Discover over 60 global projects which have been nominated for this year's awards. 

'What I found really interesting this year is the recurring theme of a designer as an Activist, illustrated by the projects such as Refugee Nation Flag, created to represent stateless athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Wolfgang Tillmans’ Remain Campaign.

Last week the winners of each category were announced, with Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture named as the overall winner.' Elena Tamosiunaite, Team Assistant 

Find out more here.

Animated Britain

BFI Player, British Film Institute
Launched January 2018

Animated Britain is a new online collection of over 300 films, surveying a stunningly rich century-long history of British animation, made available for free via BFI Player: an animated portrait of a nation, brought to life frame by painstaking frame.

'The BFI  Player and British Film Institute's National Archive is an incredible resource. With the launch of Animated Britain, I was amazed by the vast range of techniques and styles used over the last century. The BFI comments, "since the early 1900s a disparate array of artists in Britain, from across the UK, have drawn, sculpted, snipped, stamped, posed, clicked and scratched their art into celluloid life." Alongside showcasing the artistry of animation, such as Geoff Dunbar's Lautrec inspired by the sketchbooks of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, for me, this collection offers a nostalgia-fest with The Clangers and Superted!' Kate Le Versha, Communications Manager

Watch the trailer here and find the free Animated Britain collection online here