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A vinyl record and its sleeve are laid open against a white background. The cover features a bold, abstract illustration in blue, yellow and purple, with the names “Francois de Roubaix”, “Bernard Maitre” and “Les Onix” across the top.

Jean-Philippe Bretin’s abstractly illustrated, cleanly composed designs

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Date
18 July 2016

Jean-Philippe Bretin is a Paris-based freelance designer, who has worked previously at Great Set and deValence. As one of the founders of publishing platform Modele Puissance he largely concerned himself with the production and co-production of artist’s monographs, fanzines and publications, utilising their various disciplines with manual printing capabilities.

His latest work commission for Biceps record label sees him illustrate and design the cover for the release of François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s 1972 vinyl soundtrack to the 70s touring tv show The Onix. Pressed on 180g red and black vinyl, the release includes a specially designed zine which Jean-Philippe put together compiling rare photography from the television show’s scenery and set design.

The main cover carries one of his collaged illustrations, black and white, on a abstract colourful background inspired by these set-pieces.

Previous work includes Collection magazine which he co-created and designed with Vanessa Dziuba, Julien Kedryna, Antoine Stevenot and Sammy Stein as a publication focused recognising international and emerging artists and designers and personalities with a strong connection to draughtsmanship.

As well as an eye-catching, large-scale black and white poster Inventaire which compiles all his drawings from the books produced and edited with Modele Puissance between 2008 – 2013, arranged chronologically with each book inventively differentiated by alignment and rotation.

A black vinyl record sits beside its open gatefold sleeve. The yellow and red packaging features black and white photographs of people and puppets, alongside a tracklist and French text.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

A close-up of a vinyl record sleeve featuring a yellow and red layout with French text. A black-and-white photograph shows two people, one holding a camera, alongside an image of a puppet.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

A small book stands upright against a white wall, with a second copy lying flat in the foreground. The cover features a high-contrast orange and black image of a stone structure and the text “LES ONIX FRAGMENTS”.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix, zine exterior

A two-page spread from a book featuring a high-contrast photograph of a figure. The image is split by colour, with the left side in red and the right in yellow.
Above
Left

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix, zine interior

Right

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix, zine interior

An open book shows a high-contrast image of a stone wall. The left page is tinted red and the right page is tinted yellow against a black background.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix, zine interior

Black and white photographs and small colourful prints are taped to a white gallery wall. One large image shows a textured, blocky structure, while another depicts a group of furry puppets.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

A collection of black and white photographs and small abstract artworks are pinned to a white wall. One large photo shows a textured, rocky surface, while another features three fuzzy puppets.
Above
Left

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

Right

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

Two small, framed abstract prints are pinned to a wall over a large black and white photograph. To the right, another large black and white photograph shows a textured, rocky landscape.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: François de Roubaix and Bernard Master’s The Onix

A grid of small, black and white sketches and ink drawings on white paper, set against a black background. The images vary from abstract shapes and patterns to simple figures and landscapes.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: Inventaire

A large black poster covered in a grid of small, white rectangular sketches. The drawings are abstract and figurative, featuring various shapes, silhouettes and faces.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin: Inventaire

An open book rests on a bright yellow surface. One page shows a black and white photograph of a small, enclosed vehicle, while the opposite page features a comic strip with hand-drawn figures and speech bubbles.
Above
Left

Jean-Philippe Bretin, Vanessa Dziuba, Julien Kedryna, Antoine Stevenot and Sammy Stein: Collection #4

Right

Jean-Philippe Bretin, Vanessa Dziuba, Julien Kedryna, Antoine Stevenot and Sammy Stein: Collection #4

A zine lies on a bright yellow surface. The cover features a grid of black and white illustrations and bold, stylised typography that reads “SX MI QE”.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin, Vanessa Dziuba, Julien Kedryna, Antoine Stevenot and Sammy Stein: Collection #4

An open book lies on a yellow surface. One page shows a line drawing and a photo of a minimalist object, while the opposite page features a collection of grey circular graphics with various geometric patterns.
Above

Jean-Philippe Bretin, Vanessa Dziuba, Julien Kedryna, Antoine Stevenot and Sammy Stein: Collection #4

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About the Author

Jamie Green

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Jamie joined It’s Nice That back in May 2016 as an editorial assistant. And, after a seven-year sojourn away planning advertising campaigns for the likes of The LEGO Group and Converse, he came back to look after New Business & Partnerships here at It’s Nice That until September 2024.

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