It's Nice That

The first book about the groundbreaking editorial platform championing creativity through art, graphic design, illustration, photography, branding, digital art, and more – published to mark its 20th anniversary

In 2006, on the cusp of a digital revolution, graphic design students Alex Bec and Will Hudson received a university brief that would change their lives: create a piece of work to be left in a public place that encourages people to feel good about themselves.

The result was ‘It’s Nice That’ – a blog celebrating work made by the young creatives surrounding them. Bec and Hudson’s blog fed an unseen appetite for creative inspiration online, growing exponentially and soon taking on a life of its own. Today, it’s one of the creative industry’s most influential editorial platforms, championing creativity around the world.

It’s Nice That is both the definitive story of this pioneering site and an essential resource for creative inspiration. Combining a rich visual archive, in-depth artist interviews, and oral-history-style storytelling, the book is structured around It’s Nice That’s five core values – consistency, meritocracy, curiosity, collaboration, and innovation – with each concept explored through the advice, insight, and reflections of the people who have shaped it.

Readers will discover extraordinary visuals ranging from graphic identities, typography, branding, and poster design, to painting, illustration, digital art, and animation, alongside more than 120 contributions from leading creatives, such as Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, and Miranda July, and plenty of advice, tips and tricks to guide their own creative practice.

Designed with a striking die-cut cover, an exposed spine, bespoke typographic treatments, and 250 stunning images, the book is a stunning object in its own right. Inspiring, exciting, and a pleasure to page through, It’s Nice That is an essential resource for art and design students looking to break into the industry, working professionals in need of fresh inspiration, and anyone seeking a creative mood boost.

• Format: Hardback
• Dimensions: 270mm x 205mm
• Pages: 280
• Brand: Phaidon
• ISBN: 9781837292806