Cheap as chips, it’s Best of the Web!

Words by It's Nice That, Friday 10 November 2017

This week’s BOTW takes a look at a series of photographs that depicts everyday objects in an unusual way, shares the results of different people’s perceptions of famous logos and a peek at this year’s winners of the British Wildlife Photography Award. Enjoy!

After Weinstein, Louis CK and Kevin Spacey, Broadly asks if this could be the dawn of an actual cultural shift. (Jenny)

Studio Pizza has produced a zine in tribute to the late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington. With You is a reflection on the life and work of the Nu-metal pioneer and profits from sales will be donated to The Samaritans. (Owen)

A look at the ways in which Jean-Michel Basquiat attacked the lack of film roles for black talent in his works. (Beccy)

Between 1897 and 1918, photographer William Bullard took over 5,400 photographs of his neighbours , many of whom were African-American and Native-American, which have remained untouched and unpublished until now. (Ruby)

Bullard-botw-itsnicethat — William Bullard: portrait of the James J. and Jennie Bradley Johnson Family, 1900

This series by Katerina Kamprani depicts everyday objects, just more uncomfortable. (Ruby)

Topboy is returning to our screens and will be produced by …Drake? Give the man a British passport already. (Jenny)

The Guardian showcased the winners of the British Wildlife Photography 2017 award. This year Daniel Trim’s airport-roosting pied wagtail (below) won the competition. (Beccy)

Botw-wildlife-photography-itsnicethat — Daniel Trim: Heathrow roostings, British Wildlife Photography Awards 2017

New Dimensions in Testimony is a moving short film about a Holocaust survivor immortalising her story for future generations by becoming a hologram. (Ruby)

AdAge asked a group of brand experts and a group of consumers about their favourite logos, and the results are pretty different. (Jenny)

How the BBC news website has changed over the past 20 years. (Beccy)

Who to follow

A post shared by Uncle Ginger (@uncle_ginger_studio) on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:46pm PDT

A post shared by Max Litvinov (@kclogg) on Oct 24, 2017 at 10:13am PDT

A post shared by PYLOT Magazine (@pylotmagazine) on Nov 10, 2017 at 12:06am PST

A post shared by Simpsons Library (@simpsonslibrary) on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:44pm PST

A post shared by hannah buckman (@texchures) on Aug 23, 2017 at 5:51am PDT

Most Recent

More like this:

Regulars / Best of the Web All we want for Christmas is... Best of the Web!

Ah Best of the Web, it’s a bit like Christmas pudding – you don’t think you fancy a wedge of it dripping with cream, but when it’s plonked in front of you, you always manage to find the strength to plunge that spoon into the bowl and devour it. “Why don’t we eat this everyday?!” You cry with clumps of dried fruit clinging to your chin – well it’s very fattening, and the best things in life happen in weekly installments. As such, this week’s Best of the Web, and the last of the year, is a (Christmas) cracker.

It's Nice That — 15 December 2017
Regulars / Best of the Web Brr it’s cold in here, it must be Best of the Web in the atmosphere!

This week’s Best of the Web is coming to you from a very chilly place indeed, but it’s ok – we’ve got jumpers, thick socks and warm crumpets on the go, so we’re at optimum hygge level or whatever the 2017 equivalent for cosiness is. For this week’s addition, we’ve got a response to Trump for using Comic Sans in a statement (smh), a look at 100 years of public health marketing and a video interview with Jay Z from The New York Times.

It's Nice That — 08 December 2017
Regulars / Best of the Web Behind the first door of the advent calendar... It's Best of the Web!

Happy 1st of December! It is now officially acceptable to listen to Christmas jingles in public, write your dream wish list and indulge on your advent calendar or countless mince pies. But we’ve still got 24 days to go until we can truly celebrate, so here is the best bits of the web this week.

It's Nice That — 01 December 2017
Regulars / Best of the Web Say what you see, it’s Best of the Web!

An absolute goldmine of shimmering internet nuggets this week as we relieve you of the duty of panning for web-based gold. This time around we have an article about what makes us love or hate a logo, a clip of a Japanese gameshow involving slippery stairs and an interview with David LaChapelle that includes some serious name-dropping. Enjoy!

It's Nice That — 24 November 2017
Regulars / Best of the Web From New York to Springfield, it's Best of the Web

Welcome back to your trusty, funny, slightly random friend, Best of the Web!

It's Nice That — 17 November 2017
Regulars / Best of the Web Let the Best, see the Web – it’s Best of the Web!

Halloween brought us so many horrors on Tuesday that we’ve gone and scared ourselves into next month. Yes, November is here, and with it brings colder weather, Christmas countdowns and the relentless planning of festive catch-ups, drinks, shindigs and soirees.

It's Nice That — 03 November 2017

Work / Photography Chris Brooks has spent a decade rediscovering his family's 100-year-old printing press

Over the past ten years, photographer Chris Brooks has been returning to his childhood home in Derbyshire to uncover his family’s business of generations gone by. In 1898 Chris’ great grandfather founded The Brooks Press, a publishing house printing publications such as travel guides, poetry and books on self-improvement. The business ran until 1970, passed down through the Brooks family from father to son and so on. But for Chris, the history of The Brooks Press was quite unknown to him, following the death of his own father when he was a teenager. 40 years since its closing, and some 100 years since its actual formation, Chris tells the story of his family, the business and this area of the east Midlands through his own creative medium of photography, and now, aptly, it’s published as a book: The Brooks Press of Wirksworth.

Lucy Bourton — 22 February 2019
Work / Art Spanish artist Ignasi Monreal firmly places classical painting in the now

A painter working in both traditional and digital media, Ignasi Monreal’s work piqued our attention because of its fascinating mix of contemporary and classical elements. With a nod to masters of the past through his impeccable technical skills, Ignasi’s work sits firmly in the now through the subjects he paints and the clients he works with.

Ruby Boddington — 22 February 2019
Work / Graphic Design Kai Tang on how book design is timeless and therefore “more valuable”

Though books are a staple part of our everyday lives, here at It’s Nice That, they still have the ability to insight awe whenever a beautifully-designed one comes our way. For Hong Kong-based designer Kai Tang, who has made a name for himself with his distinctly artistic approach to book design, the practice represents a “timeless” piece of design that also bears the responsibility of lasting for aeons.

Jyni Ong — 22 February 2019
Work / Photography Tim Schutsky turns snow globes and scuffed-up trainers into scenes worth a second glance

Turning absolute normalcy into a scene full of intrigue is a definite skill in photography and it’s one that New York City-based photographer Tim Schutsky has in buckets. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, we’ve long admired the astute and nuanced style prevalent throughout his portfolio, and the way he turns a snow globe, a lawnmower, or a pair of scuffed-up trainers into something worth a second glance.

Ruby Boddington — 22 February 2019
Work / Illustration Champagne Nicko's illustrations feature characters in perpetual party mode

Inspired by “daily personal experiences and things that I want to be doing”, Melbourne-based illustrator, Nicko Phillps, says his drawings are like a “’Wish You Were Here’ card to myself, but filled with curvy weirdos and saturated colours.” Which is completely understandable once you realise that all the characters in his work are in perpetual party mode.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 22 February 2019
Work / Illustration Pablo Amargo on his simple and humorous illustrations for The New York Times

Pablo Amargo’s illustrations are immediately recognisable for their simplicity, refined linework and humour. From posters and prints to book covers and editorials, he’s built an enviable portfolio full of wonderful drawings that have earned him 35 awards for illustration.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 22 February 2019

Work / Publication Daniel V. Keller explores the relationship between humans and ecologies in his first book

Artist Daniel V. Keller has released his first book in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of Canton Thurgau, published by Jungle Books. The London-based artist, originally from Switzerland, “treats the book as an individual work in itself”, he tells It’s Nice That. It documents a research project, specifically “the geology of today” and how small factors impact the urban meshwork that we deal with on a daily basis. The special edition is printed in a run of 50 copies including an orange PVC-mesh sleeve that hints to this conceptual undertone.

Jyni Ong — 21 February 2019
Features / Illustration In memory of Tomi Ungerer, eight illustrators share their thoughts on his endlessly inspiring legacy

In the past week since the heartbreaking passing of illustrator Tomi Ungerer, numerous creatives have taken to the internet to praise an artist so formative to an endless list of illustration practices.

Lucy Bourton — 21 February 2019
Work / Digital Tomorrow Bureau's visuals for Kenzo SS19 are inspired by ritual and communion

With a starting point of “celebration, community and optimism”, Tomorrow Bureau has created a series of beautifully slick in-store visuals for Kenzo’s SS19 collection. Featuring three distinct “spaces” conceptualised from these themes, the result is a “surreal, exploratory journey” through various worlds which place ritual and communion at the heart.

Ruby Boddington — 21 February 2019
Work / Publication Through archival imagery, Revers sheds a light on 50 years of diverse communities in France

Revers is one of a kind in its depiction of French culture through documentary photography. Its founder, Elsa Seignol, is also a photographer and started the publication when she couldn’t find a suitable photographic reference on France. “I actually lived in London for a few years and was very influenced by the visual and printing culture, as well as the independent publications,” the founder tells It’s Nice That.

Jyni Ong — 21 February 2019
Sponsored / Graphic Design A quartet of creatives show us what they’d do if they had a bit more free time

It was the ancient Greeks, or so we’re told, who decided that time meant money. Ever since, most of us have tried to chase both. We need time to make money and we’d like to think that money buys us time.

It's Nice That — 21 February 2019
Work / Photography Giovanni Corabi and Roberto Ortu document the new rebellious youth of Sardinia

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is a large Italian island and, for photographer Giovanni Corabi, a place he spent many summers as a child. “Last spring I wanted a change of scenery and to be immersed in nature, so I thought of travelling to Sardinia, an island close to my heart,” he tells It’s Nice That. Decision to travel made, he got in touch with his friend, Milan-based creative director Roberto Ortu who’s originally from Sardinia, and the pair set about documenting the island they both hold so dear.

Ruby Boddington — 21 February 2019

Work / Art Drea Cofield's paintings explore her past through mythological and allegorical contexts

“My mother would tell you I was drawing recognisable forms by the time I was two. I don’t know how true that is, but it’s nice to hear your artist origin myth from your mother’s mouth,” begins New York City-based painter Drea Cofield. Clearly an artist from a young age, Drea knew she “wanted to pursue art in some way when I was looking to go to school,” but it wasn’t until the end of her junior year at DePauw University – after “taking art classes and coasting through everything” – that Drea finally began to take painting seriously. Spurred on by a professor who, during an exhibition, told her parents simply: “Your daughter is a painter,” she soon accepted her career as an artist.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 21 February 2019
Work / Graphic Design Joy Li's design practice is inspired by race, gender and cultural studies

After studying visual communication at the University of Technology in Sydney, where she “developed a voice in design through visually representing the unrepresented”, Joy Li joined brand consultants Accompany in 2018, where she currently works.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 21 February 2019
Work / Photography Bobby Doherty shows how zooming in can reveal the “fun, gross, beautiful or cute”

For as long as we can remember, the work of Brooklyn-based photographer Bobby Doherty has made us smile. Impactful and joyful, Bobby’s work, which largely comprises of still life work of everything from wobbling jelly to burgers encasing jewels, has meant he’s carved out a unique name for himself. On seeing an image by the photographer, or even sometimes another who attempts to emulate him, we often find ourselves saying “that’s such a Bobby Doherty photograph”.

Lucy Bourton — 20 February 2019
Work / Publication Melville Brand Design on a new book detailing the history of Samsonite

Munich-based design studio and brand strategists Melville Brand Design are known for delivering a strong sense of communication. The studio has garnered this reputation by working closely with clients to build on an individual story, paying particular attention to accessibility and sustainability. Most recently, the studio has designed a book detailing the history of the trusty Samsonite suitcase. The book is not just your regular timeline of history, it questions where a brand actually comes from and how branding forms the identity of future success, or otherwise.

Jyni Ong — 20 February 2019
Work / Graphic Design Steve Gavan's illustrative work pays homage to often overlooked design gems

“I was lucky enough to know I wanted to be a designer from a pretty young age,” says graphic designer and illustrator Steve Gavan. Having freelanced in these fields since 2011, Steve later began work at Alter, a Melbourne-based design studio, in 2015. “Alter was my favourite studio when I was studying, so it was a bit of dream come true to work for them.”

Daniel Milroy Maher — 20 February 2019
Work / Photography Photographer Ioana Cirlig's Post-Industrial Stories looks at Romanian life after work

In 2012 Ioana Cirlig and her boyfriend, Marin Raica, decided to move from Bucharest to Brad, a small town in central Romania that clings to its gold-mining recent-past. After a year in Brad, the pair upped sticks again. This time the couple ended up in the Jiu Valley, another area seemingly caught between the success of the industrial past, and the fears and anxieties of the barren present. “In 1990 15 coal mines were operating in the area,” Ioana says of the Jiu Valley. “Now there are only three working, and those are working at a reduced capacity.”

Josh Baines — 20 February 2019

Work / Graphic Design Mateo Broillet likes to reflect elements of type history in his contemporary designs

Though we regularly write about the Amsterdam-based design studio The Rodina, we have never written about its regular type collaborator Mateo Broillet. Originally from French Switzerland, the type designer also works with the type foundry Bold Decisions, as well as being a freelance graphic designer and typographer in Amsterdam.

Jyni Ong — 20 February 2019
Work / Art Rebecca Harper's paintings are a “reflection of the time we are living in”

“I believe that art and life are synchronised, that we learn about life and its events by discovering ourselves, and that equally we learn about ourselves after having endured life,” says London born and based painter Rebecca Harper. “My works are reactions to their life sources – a reflection of the time we are living in, and a strong desire to have an argument with it, for example.”

Daniel Milroy Maher — 20 February 2019
Partnership / Dropbox: Call for Collaboration Call for Collaboration: your chance to collaborate with Kelly Anna on a limited edition zine

We’re excited to announce Call for Collaboration – a new It’s Nice That x Dropbox Paper project connecting creatives from across the world to collaborate on fun, fully commissioned creative projects. Each month we’ll spotlight the projects on It’s Nice That and show how Dropbox Paper helps these great ideas come to life.

Lucy Bourton — 19 February 2019
Work / Publication OK-RM and Daniel Shea collaborate on a new work of fiction exploring natural resources

In a compelling new collaboration, esteemed design studio OK-RM teams up with artist Daniel Shea to create Ex Nihilo; a documentation of material products. Commissioned by fashion brand 1017-Alyx-9SM, Ex Nihilo is a series of printed objects including a book, a set of six posters and a stash of plates, contained within a high-gloss folder and fastened by the simple but trustworthy rubber band.

Jyni Ong — 19 February 2019
Work / Illustration Cépé's illustrations capture the colours of southern France

Inspired by the French and Belgian comics his father collected growing up in Marseille, Cédric Pierre-Bez – known by his artist moniker Cépé – had great admiration for his country’s biggest cartoonists, such as Giraud, Druillet and Loisel. After early childhood fantasies of being a thief, of all things, he realised that he could instead have whatever he wanted by drawing it rather than stealing it: “At that age, I had the impression that by drawing an object, it belonged to me,” he tells It’s Nice That. “But I came to understand that an illustrator is never satisfied, because the object of their drawings never belongs to them – that’s what maintains their desire and creativity.”

Daniel Milroy Maher — 19 February 2019
Sponsored / Found in Adobe Stock Joe Melhuish turns fidget spinners, avocados and anvils into animated outfits for any millennial

For Found in Adobe Stock, It’s Nice That has commissioned creatives to explore the world of Adobe Stock’s 3D collection to make a series of works using their individual discoveries. Starting from the same jumping off point, the project follows the journey each creative took as their paths diverged into the strange and wondrous depths of the huge collection, and how they used what they found to make beautiful and hypnotic final pieces.

It's Nice That — 19 February 2019

Work / Photography Gourau and Phong stretches reality by combining photography with new technologies

“We define ourselves as photographers even when we’re working with 3D materials,” say Paris-based duo Benjamin Roulet and François Bellabas. "Everything comes from photography.”

Ruby Boddington — 19 February 2019
Work / Graphic Design Graphic designer Benoît Brun’s comics-inspired typography leaps off the page

For graphic designer Benoît Brun, there is “another dimension” to typography, which goes beyond readability: “[It] can also stimulate, give emotion and excitement," the designer tells It’s Nice That. “Lettering on a poster can give someone walking on the street the opportunity to get an eyeful. I like that we can contemplate a set of letters, give them a certain amount of time and ask ourselves what they mean”, he continues. “In my work, I like to handle drawing, create new formal repertoires and develop my own tools while keeping a strict and rigorous approach,” Benoît says. “That’s why in typography I’m interested in display fonts for their formal and expressive character. Through their abstraction, I see drawings, surface games, full and empty, in the letters.”

Billie Muraben — 19 February 2019
Work / Photography Antonis Theodoridis chases the sunlight of Athens in his series Ways of Escape

Ways of Escape, the latest and ongoing series by Greek photographer Antonis Theodoridis, looks at Athens in a different light to the gloomy one cast on the city by the country’s recent economic crisis – namely, the sunlight that continues to bathe its streets with a dazzling glow.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 19 February 2019
Work / Animation “All I could see was puppets”: Johnny Kelly on his series of sweet shorts for Cheerios

Johnny Kelly has created a series of short films for Cheerios. With the overarching title of Right on Tracks, the films encourage children to be kinder to each other through a silly, funny and touching cast of puppets which play out the stories being told in four original songs. Detailing everything from learning about the different types of family structures that exist to simply sitting with someone new at lunchtime, Jonny’s work is both engaging and informative. We caught up with the Nexus Studios director to find out more about the project, below.

Ruby Boddington — 18 February 2019
Work / Illustration Melek Zertal's illustrations all feature different versions of herself

“I have no idea what I’m doing,” begins illustrator Melek Zertal on the topic of how she discovered her practice. “I like drawing, but when I do it I get bored and wonder if I wouldn’t be better off making clothes or music videos.” The Algerian-born, Parisian-raised artist has a nonchalant attitude towards her practice that belies the work itself, which is at once soft and striking.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 18 February 2019
Work / Graphic Design Wyatt Knowles on his DIY approach to poster design

Three months after starting his BFA in Drawing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Wyatt Knowles discovered collage and spent most of his time doing that instead. During this time he also started making posters and flyers for the bands he and his friends were in: “I think I enjoyed the freedom and contrast of just making this sort of throw-away thing, in comparison to the big conceptual ideas I had to have for my university work,” he tells It’s Nice That.

Daniel Milroy Maher — 18 February 2019