Spin Studio, Ustwo Games, Dogs and Their Dykes, and Sweet-thang Zine: Tickets now available for May’s Nicer Tuesdays!

We’re back for another Nicer Tuesdays! It’s our last installment of creative inspiration for spring – then we’re out for the summer – so grab tickets whilst you can!

So without further ado, here’s who will be taking to the stage at May’s Nicer Tuesdays. The London-based creative studio Spin will be talking us through its experiment-led approach to art and design, revealing the inner workings of a few recent identity projects for the likes of Mubi and more. Meanwhile, the game design studio Ustwo Games will be joining us to share some exclusive insights into the serene digital universe of Monument Valley 3 and how they turned its meditative gameplay into a work of art.

Also making an appearance at Nicer Tuesdays this May are the photographer and art director Nessie Appleton and Mair Howells, creators of the community photo project Dogs and Their Dykes – a series capturing the redefinition of family amongst the queer community in London and beyond. Last but certainly not least, Zoë Thompson, founder of independent press and creative community Sweet-thang Zine, will be talking us through the pros and perils of freelance and funding a self-published project, giving us a glimpse at everything that’s in store for Sweet-thang issue eight.

Our event sponsor for this month’s Nicer Tuesdays is Adobe. Founded 40 years ago on the simple idea of creating products that change the world, Adobe offers groundbreaking technology that empowers everyone, everywhere to imagine, create, and bring any digital experience to life.

The event will take place on 6 May at EartH, Hackney, with doors opening at 6pm. As this is an 18+ event, please bring ID with you to the venue. If you are in need of disability access, please make yourself known to a member of the EartH team on the night or email hello@nicertuesdays.com so we can arrange assistance. Read more about May’s speakers below.

Spin Studio has been ‘rotating between the poles of art and design’ since 1992, establishing itself as one of the major mainstays of London’s design scene. Its portfolio boasts an impressive wealth of cultural and commercial projects ranging from brand identities to motion graphics and it’s also carried out its fair share of exciting visual experiments under Spin Projects. At May’s Nicer Tuesdays, the studio’s creative director Tony Brook and senior designer Evie Brook will be outlining how the two parts of their practice come together to create innovative and responsive design work, giving us an insight into the creative process behind a few of their recent identity projects for clients including Mubi, the Design Museum and more.

Nessie Appleton and Mair Howells, the photographer and art director behind Dogs and their Dykes, will be taking to the stage at May’s Nicer Tuesdays to take the crowd through the development of a community photo project that’s been redefining queer family and companionship – their heartwarming “online love letter to dykes, and the love for their dogs”. Sharing a sneak peek behind the scenes of the photodocumentary series, with some stories of the people they have encountered along the way, the pair will be giving us an exciting insight into where the project has led them next.

This south London-based game design studio is best known for its award winning puzzle game series Monument Valley – a far more meditative and beautiful alternative to most mobile games, the series has started a whole new genre of artful and serene gaming. Having recently launched its highly anticipated threequel to the series at the end of last year, lead artist at Ustwo Games, Lili Ibrahim, will be joining us to take the Nicer Tuesdays crowd through the creative details hidden in the meticulously illustrated scenery of Monument Valley 3. Tracking the development of the game’s design from its first volume to today, Lili will give us an insight into what it takes to craft a digital world where “every screen is a piece of art.”

Founder of independent zine and community press Sweet-thang Zine, Zoë Thompson has been dedicating her self-publishing practice to amplifying the voices of Black creatives since 2017. Hosting workshops and events dedicated to celebrating Black DIY creativity, with a focus on sharing the work of women, and queer and trans individuals in print, the community project has published seven issues to date. Having recently made the daunting jump to freelance, with the backing of community crowdfunding for Sweet-thang’s eighth issue - un upcoming collaboration with designer Zoë Pulley, the editor will be sharing some of the powers and perils of going solo as well as giving us a view of what’s in store for the upcoming zine.