Nicer Tuesdays: fresh ideas from the creative frontline
Last week, four members of our Creative team headed to Nicer Tuesdays by It’s Nice That: a monthly event that never fails to leave them buzzing with inspiration. With a line-up that included Robin Howie from Fieldwork Facility, illustrator An Chen, and the legendary Anthony Burrill, the evening was a deep dive into creative thinking, purpose-driven work, and staying true to your vision.
Here’s a review from Rosie Burns, Creative Designer.
Designing for the uncharted
Robin Howie kicked things off with an overview of Fieldwork Facility’s recent work on the V&A East Storehouse. As a studio that thrives on designing for ‘uncharted territories’, their thoughtful approach to wayfinding and communication design was masterfully executed.
Fieldwork Facility treated the V&A East Storehouse like the museum’s own software, something that needed to be intuitive and easy to use. They brought it to life through colour and a custom typeface inspired by coding, which helps visitors navigate the space naturally. It’s a clever way to make the collections feel more accessible, especially for younger and first-time visitors, without overwhelming them visually. It made me think about how we use layout and composition in our own work with clients. Just like Fieldwork Facility used colour and type to guide people through the Storehouse, we rely on visual cues to lead the eye and shape how someone experiences a brand. Whether it’s a campaign, a website, or a brochure, those design decisions play a significant role in making things feel clear, inclusive, and easy to engage with.
But what really stood out was their commitment to sustainability. In a time when trends move fast, brands are constantly evolving, and new design tools seem to appear every week, it was refreshing to see a project so rooted in long-term thinking. Fieldwork Facility approached the V&A East Storehouse with a circular design in mind, ensuring that everything they created could be reused, repurposed, or dismantled. From signage made of recycled materials to a custom typeface and colour-coding system that makes the space feel intuitive, their work was a reminder that good design isn’t just about what looks great today; it’s about creating something that lasts and has purpose.
> https://fieldworkfacility.com/projects/storehouse
Staying true to your vision
Next up was An Chen, a Taiwanese illustrator whose work is a vibrant blend of geometric shapes, gradients, and textures. Her style is clean, angular, and mechanical, inspired by the industrial area where she grew up. But what makes her work so exciting is the contrast: geometric forms paired with organic subjects, influenced by constructivism and British lino cuts.
Her talk was a heartfelt reflection on the freelance journey, including the doubts, bravery, and sheer persistence it takes to be seen by big clients. It was a quiet but powerful reminder to all of us in the creative world that putting your work out there is an act of courage. It made me think about how vital it is to champion freelancers and create entry points that are genuinely accessible, the kinds that help emerging creatives be seen. Talks like An Chen’s remind us why we push for bold, personal storytelling in our client work, especially when it’s rooted in lived experience and cultural identity. That kind of authenticity is what makes creative work resonate.
> https://anchenillustration.com/
Words that matter
To close the evening, Anthony Burrill took the stage for a Q&A with Olivia Hingley. If you’ve ever seen W’ORK HARD & BE NICE TO PEOPLE’ on a poster or in his book, you know the kind of impact his bold typographic work can have.
His talk was a conversational blend of design beliefs and personal reflection. He spoke about the power of words, how they can be treated like found objects or abstract forms, and how their meaning shifts depending on how they’re used. His use of colour is deliberately restrictive, shaped by the analogue era in which he grew up. Burrill’s reflections on type and meaning really resonated with how we help clients shape their messaging, making sure it’s not just visually exciting, but also intentional and authentic.
One quote that really stayed with me was, “When you reduce a design down to the most simple version is when it becomes most powerful.” It made me think about how, in today’s fast-paced design world, we’re constantly refining, adjusting, and stripping things back to get to the core of an idea. This was a reminder that sometimes the most impactful work comes from stepping back, simplifying, and designing with clarity and purpose.
He also touched on the future of letterpress, its physicality, its permanence, and its authenticity. In a world where so much exists on screens, Burrill reminded us of the value of making work that lives in the real world.
Nicer Tuesdays serves as a stimulus for why we do what we do. Whether you're a designer, illustrator, marketer or creative thinker, these talks reignite that spark. From sustainable wayfinding to bold typography and the courage to share your vision, it was a night that celebrated creativity in all its forms. We left feeling inspired - and already planning our team outing to the V&A East Storehouse.
If you ever get the chance to attend Nicer Tuesdays, do it. And if you’re working on something that feels a bit scary to share, put it out there.
Rosie Burns
Rosie brings ideas to life through bold visuals and thoughtful design. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, they craft compelling brand experiences across digital and print platforms.
