It's Nice That

Alistair Frost

2009-11-12T12:00:00Z

I have very little to say about Alistair Frost’s work, since I’ve only seen it once or twice. I stumbled upon his paintings at the Liste Art fair in Basel, unaware they were his, but loved them, obviously. Earlier that year I had seen a presentation of his work at the Rijksakademie Open Studios in Amsterdam, where he had created a simple bar-like installation of pieces of drywall. It looked there had just been an opening of his own painting exhibition; Spilled drinks, empty cups all around and those little paper umbrellas, amongst some avant-garde looking ceramic cocktail glasses. I thought it was just a very fresh way to present your work.

www.dicksmithgallery.co.uk

Christopher Monro DeLorenzo

2009-11-12T08:30:00Z

Loving this picture keyboard designed by Christopher Monro DeLorenzo. New York based Christopher explains the thinking behind the project,

“We used to learn our alphabets by reading those classroom banners that associated each letter with an animal or object. These days as kids become increasingly computer dependent at an early age I thought it was about time to adapt an old method to a new medium. From cultural icons to greek mythology, this keyboard sticker set will advance the alphabetical knowledge of any child, or adult.”

www.chrisdelorenzo.com

Way Shape Form

2009-11-12T08:30:00Z

Matthew Boyd and River Jukes-Hudson are Way Shape Form. Don’t let me butcher some words to try and get to the bottom of their excellent portfolio – have a look for yourself, starting with this great record sleeve for Forge Your Own Chains.

www.wayshapeform.info

Buro Tree

2009-11-11T17:00:00Z

A tree that’s not really a tree – what will they think of next? Lovely little idea, beautifully assembled – there’s nothing we appreciate more than a good production shot, and there’s some really great ones under their ‘About’ section.

www.burotree.com

Jookabox

2009-11-11T15:42:00Z

I am speechless. I want the breakneck, breathless joy of this song bottled and distributed to as many people as possible. Prepare to have this firmly lodged in your head for the rest of forever.

‘You Cried Me’ – a single from Jookabox’s Dead Zone Boys, an album released last week on Asthmatic Kitty. Stream the whole album at MBV. Tom DesLongchamp and Jessica Phoenix are responsible for the video.

EVIL!

www.asthmatickitty.com/jookabox

Harm van den Dorpel

2009-11-11T12:00:00Z

Of all the internet-artists there are around these days, Harm is my favourite. His work is beautifully poetic. It’s smart, awkward, edgy (as in about to turn ugly) and sometimes a little disturbing. It’s never really too funny or gadgety. It’s like he actually would prefer to be a painter or a sculptor, but is unable to do so, ‘cos he made some deal with the internet-devil and has to wander around there forever.

www.harmvandendorpel.com

Mark Newport

2009-11-11T08:30:00Z

It was cold enough for us mere mortals this morning, but imagine having to make your chilly commute wearing super-hero spandex. Sparing a thought for our caped crusaders this winter is costume maker Mark Newport with some hand knitted versions of some famous, and some not so famous outfits that I’m sure you’ll warm to. From left to right – Batman, Naftaman, Captain America and Argyleman.

www.marknewportartist.com

New It's Nice That Shop

2009-11-11T08:29:00Z

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new shop with a host of new products including this New Math mug by Craig Damrauer exclusively for It’s Nice That. Other products available include a t-shirt by Jean Jullien, a world map by Alex Trochut and a larger, editioned and signed version of Rob Ryan’s pre-order print. Look out for more items being added in the future.

shop.itsnicethat.com

Put This On

2009-11-10T15:00:00Z

Put This On is a web series ‘about dressing like a grown-up’, produced by Jesse Thorn (of The Sound of Young America) and Adam Lisagor (of You Look Nice Today).

It succeeds where I personally feel a lot of online fashion coverage fails (at least to artlessly attired schlubs like myself) in that it feels inclusive and attainable. Though their blog undoubtedly has a very specific aesthetic which might not be to everyone’s tastes, the show is wonderfully promising. They’ve filmed one pilot and now have a Kickstarter project open to fund a full first season for 2010.

www.putthison.com
Kickstarter project

Pete Willis

2009-11-10T12:00:00Z

I found Pete’s fanzines at the zine-swap event near Bricklane in October last year. Pete’s sharp observations and witty written stories made me laugh. I’ve been carrying his zine Popular Culture in my bag for a while now, which makes it look a little scruffy. I know I should have treated it a little more respectful. But it’s been heavily used and read and has been a real inspiration, both for me as some of my students. Pete’s drawings are quite wonderful too.

www.deadtreesanddye.com

Malcolm Goldie

2009-11-10T08:30:00Z

Malcolm Goldie has always been able to combine music and graphics fluently, and his recent stings for French channel Canal+ only strengthens that reputation. Adding the music to some pretty nice branding from London’s Devilfish we’re shown a clicking and chiming that on paper should be incredibly annoying, but for one reason or another really isn’t.

www.malcolmgoldie.com

Julia Müller

2009-11-10T08:28:00Z

Some really nice work over on Julia Müller’s site. A graduate from Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam back in 2004 Julia’s work is predominantly for print and publishing, pictured is her work for debalie.

www.hellojulia.com

Nick Oberthaler

2009-11-09T12:00:00Z

I came across Nick Oberthaler’s work at an exhibition called The Last Session at De Brakke Grond in Amsterdam. I had never heard of him but was quite blown away by his drawings and collages: The combination of super precise mathematical drawings and the naturally made stains, ripped pieces of tape, old (found?) photographs. It’s a very colourful way of working. I still don’t know much about his work, just that it appeals to me and that it has inspired my work one way or the other.

www.layrwuestenhagen.com

Bart de Baets

2009-11-09T08:30:00Z

Historically, The Netherlands is a place for exciting graphic design. We’ve seen heroes of the discipline such as Mevis and Van Deursen and Karel Martens, among countless others inspire many aspiring practitioners. Bart de Baet’s is one such inspired soul, and when his page fell open when recently thumbing through a book on design, my jaw followed suit. A young dutchman with the potential to join the greats, but first he’s going to be this week’s guest on the good ship It’s Nice That.

Read interview and see posts

Allison Schulnik

2009-11-09T08:30:00Z

Once again enthralling things are happening in time to Grizzly Bear’s music. This time for new release, Ready, Able under the masterful hands and eyes of Allison Schulnik. Oozing forms melding together in emphatic harmony, resulting in four and a half minutes of music television heaven.

www.allisonschulnik.com
YouTube Link

Is It Nice That?

2009-11-09T08:29:00Z

The other week I was invited to participate in a panel debate held in conjunction with the Most Beautiful Swiss Book exhibition in London organised by the Helvetic Centre, this year they had chosen to also exhibit the Best British Design and Production Award. We were to compare the two book design competitions.

This got me thinking about design competitions in general. I have a hard time making up my mind about them. Are they self-indulgent or do they add something valid(critical) to design? (read more)

Things (30.10 - 05.11)

2009-11-07T08:30:00Z

What a week, London decided we should all get a bit festive and turned on some lights. The knee jerk reaction was to lift the postal strike and allow people to start sending Christmas cards. All this resulted in the return of Things, our weekly round-up of the things that have made their way into the studio. (read more)

Joe Crocker

2009-11-06T13:04:00Z

Vendoin is a Joe Crocker’s first book, a 32-page story of inky fury filled with grotesque characters and mysterious languages, published by Nobrow earlier this year. It looks a treat, and you’ll undoubtedly find few books this year with as much assured, wholly distinctive character.

www.josephcrocker.com
www.nobrow.net

Charley Harper

2009-11-06T08:30:00Z

I’ll hold my hands up and admit I was one of the many who haven’t had their eyes blessed by the work of Charley Harper until a couple of weeks ago. I was presented with a stunning large scale book of his charming illustration, and the embarrassment of being previously unaware of the genius that lay within grew with every page turned – how could I have managed to overlook something so special? If you didn’t know about him before this morning, it’s OK, noone’ll ever know.

Wikipedia Link
www.Charleyharperartstudio.com

Simon Evans

2009-11-06T08:25:00Z

Matt Stuart emailed through a link to the fantastic work of Simon Evans yesterday. Pictured is a crop of Everything I Have, 2008.