It's Nice That's inspiration thread
It's Nice That's board of 1,000+ pins tracing graphic design history, type and visual culture, from Bi Sheng's movable type to Jan van Toorn.
What it is
A board from It's Nice That, the UK publication about creativity. Its description explains that Thread of Inspiration was a series made in partnership with Pinterest, exploring how inspiration can come from unexpected places, with guest creatives invited to contribute. It had 1,013 pins when we checked. The latest pins date from 2020, so treat it as a finished collection.
Why we picked it
Most design boards show finished work. This one is more interesting because it shows where ideas come from. In our scroll we found pages from a history of graphic design book, a 1978 piece by Dutch designer Jan van Toorn, a note on Bi Sheng, who developed the first known movable-type system in China around 1040 using ceramic pieces, a map of graphic design history in Switzerland, an essay on pseudo-Kufic ornament, an interview with designer Gail Anderson, the artist Nontsikelelo Mutiti, and a roundup of visual artists to commission for gig posters and album art.
It's less a trend feed and more a path through history and the people who shaped it.
Where to start
- Find the Bi Sheng pin, a good reset if you think type history starts with Gutenberg.
- Open the Jan van Toorn piece and compare it with posters made today.
- Read about pseudo-Kufic ornament, a surprising story of writing turning into pattern.
- Save pins about people you haven't heard of and look them up later.
Who it's for
Graphic designers and students who want depth, not just pictures. Anyone curious about the history of writing and printing. People who enjoy following one idea to the next.
Quick answers
Who made it? It's Nice That, in a series created with Pinterest.
Is it still updated? No. The latest pins are from 2020.
Is it all graphic design? Mostly design and type, with some art along the way.
