Bookshelf: The inimitable Jean Jullien tells us his top 5 books!

Date
15 December 2012

It’s been a very Jean-infused week at It’s Nice That and that is no bad thing! he’s only one of our favourite illustrators of all time! His Midas touch never fails to turn silly and sweet ideas into simple visions of beauty. In honour of his absolute smorgasbord of new work, we asked him to do a Bookshelf, so read on to find out just where this brilliant man gets his inspiration…

Fruits et Légume, by Soledad Bravi

It’s picture book about Fruit and Vegetables, what’s more to say?
Soledad Bravi: Fruits et légume

All, by Maurizio Cattelan

I find Cattelan’s work so inspiring. I love the oddity of it. As much as Théo Mercier’s work, I love the fantasy and subtle humour he gives to each piece. It is formally accessible art that I can really get behind. The meaning and story behind it is fantastic of course but this type of illustrative sculpture is something I really thrive to achieve.
Maurizio Cattelan: All

The poster art of Tomi Ungerer

My agent Michel Lagarde gave me this one as a welcome gift to his agency. It’s a real treasure. The cover’s all damaged and authentic and it’s a pretty good compendium of Ungerer’s work. I love how he’s always managed to do a bit of everything, from children’s book to advertising, from political posters to pornographic images. This eclecticism was achieved retrospectively and thanks to a tumultuous history but, from a distance, it seems like a fantastic freedom to have.
Poster Art of Tomi Ungerer

l’affiche en héritage

Raw political yet playful design. I love the photos of the workshops where the posters where being printed. I love the whole story of how these prints, somehow, helped change things. These images are the proof that what we do doesn’t just help selling cars and telephones but can also communicate ideas. Plus it looks ace.
Mai 68 : L’affiche en héritage

Saul Bass & associates

the gem of my bookshelf. It’s a reprint of a feature IDEA magazine did ages ago. 
It was in the library of Central Saint Martins when I was a student and I use to take it out all the time.
I had to go to Berlin to find it in a great bookshop which name I can’t recall… Some of the images are in black and white but it adds to the authenticity and are proof then even when not under its best light, Bass’ work stands out like nothing else.

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Jean Jullien: Bookshelf

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Jean Jullien: Bookshelf

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Jean Jullien: Bookshelf

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Jean Jullien: Bookshelf

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Jean Jullien: Bookshelf

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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