Anthony Burrill
Designer · Artist · Graphic Designer · Graphic Artist
18 articles · Oct 2015 — Dec 2025
Quotes
“As soon as I saw the letters, I knew we had to use them to make a print.”
“We need to be reminded of the positive power of hope as the world goes through difficult times, and this print aims to capture that enduring spirit.”
“work hard and be nice to people”
“I think it’s all about trust.”
“When you’re too prescriptive with a brief, then the creative feels constrained and there’s not enough room for exploration or expression.”
“A testament to a printed, physical thing.”
“I love the approach of Two Girls Co, with their positive messages and bold, colourful designs.”
“Connection and ideas, those are the foundations of my work. They're reflected in this collaboration with Two Girls Co, and I think that's why it feels so natural.”
“I experimented with over-printing and embraced the chance aspect of the process. I didn’t know how the finished sleeve would look until I’d finished printing and experimenting. I printed on the reverse of the sleeve and pushed the overlaid type even further to create an abstracted version of the front cover design. It’s important to me that the process is part of the outcome and the physicality of the medium re-enforces the message of the work.”
“The horror genre has given us a memorable visual language.”
Articles & interviews
- Review of the Year 2025: Top 15 Nicer Tuesdays Talks
It's Nice That · Dec 15, 2025
The article recaps the top 15 Nicer Tuesdays talks of 2025, highlighting creative duos, multidisciplinary artists, and emotionally resonant presentations. It celebrates a year of events held in London, New York, and newly in Los Angeles, featuring designers, illustrators, and artists sharing insights into their practice and process.
- Anthony Burrill brings HOPE to Dublin with the National Print Museum
Creative Boom · Nov 18, 2025
Anthony Burrill collaborated with Dublin’s National Print Museum to create 'HOPE', a limited-edition letterpress print launched during Irish Design Week 2025. The project celebrates optimism and the enduring craft of printmaking, using historic wooden type and the museum’s Wharfedale Stop Cylinder Press. The collaboration underscores the museum’s mission to keep print culture alive through creative partnerships.
National Print MuseumNational Print Museumeditorial - Wilson's Republic Founders Reveal Building Creative Community Secrets
Creative Boom · Oct 8, 2025 · Interview
Creative Boom’s interview with the founders of Wilson’s Republic explores how three Yorkshire designers built a thriving grassroots creative community over ten years. The piece highlights their philosophy of inclusivity, authenticity, and adaptability, culminating in their tenth-anniversary event, WRXL. The founders reflect on lessons learned, the importance of optimism, and the enduring power of creative connection.
Wilson's RepublicA.N.D StudioBoldismbranding|community|event - Anthony Burrill Links Music, Protest, and Kindness to Design Success
It's Nice That · Sep 24, 2025 · Interview
The article covers a Nicer Tuesdays talk in London where typographic artist Anthony Burrill discussed how music, protest, and kindness influence his design philosophy. Interviewed by Olivia Hingley, Burrill reflected on his optimistic outlook and the origins of his well-known motto 'work hard and be nice to people.'
event - "Exhibition Showcases Activist Design from 1960s Protest Movements"
It's Nice That · Sep 24, 2025
The article covers 'The Right to Protest', an exhibition at the Museum of UnRest in London showcasing decades of activist poster design. Co-curated by Dave Bell, Clive Russell, and John Phillips, the show explores the visual language of protest from the 1960s to today, featuring works from feminist, environmental, and political movements. The exhibition highlights the enduring power of design as a tool for social change.
Museum of UnRestPaddington PrintshopLondon Print Studioexhibition - Paradiso Festival Revolutionizes Creative Conferences in Mexico
Creative Boom · Aug 26, 2025
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May explores Paradiso Festival, a new five-day creative retreat founded by Héctor Ayuso in Mérida, Mexico. The event reimagines the traditional design conference format by removing stages and hierarchies, fostering authentic conversations among creatives like Paula Scher, Oliver Jeffers, and Jessica Hische. With cultural immersion, local experiences, and a focus on community, Paradiso aims to redefine what a creative gathering can be.
event|culture - "Stanley Plowman's Graphics Blend Electronic Music with Flawed Perfection"
It's Nice That · Aug 14, 2025
The article profiles London-based graphic designer and animator Stanley Plowman, whose work merges sound and image through experimental, generative animation. Drawing inspiration from electronic music and analogue imperfections, Plowman’s projects like 'Typewriter Horse' and 'Bubble Sort' explore the interplay between randomness, rhythm, and visual texture. His process blends digital tools with tactile methods to create emotionally resonant motion pieces.
Stanley PlowmanUTILE StudioHermesmotion - "September's Nicer Tuesdays: Tickets for Design Talks Now Available"
It's Nice That · Jul 30, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the September 2025 edition of its Nicer Tuesdays event in London, featuring talks by Anthony Burrill, An Chen, and Robin Howie of Fieldwork Facility. The evening will explore topics from timeless typography to place-based design and creative balance, with music and refreshments provided by sponsors. The event will take place at EartH Hackney on 2 September 2025.
Fieldwork FacilityA Vibe Called TechBrent Cross Townevent - Unlocking Creativity with Open Briefs
It's Nice That · Jun 12, 2025
The article explores the concept of open briefs and how they can inspire creativity and self-expression among emerging designers. Featuring insights from Anthony Burrill, Ramin Nazer, and Jutharat ‘Poupay’ Pinyodoonyachet, it highlights how flexibility, trust, and self-belief are key to making the most of open-ended creative opportunities. The piece is part of It’s Nice That’s Ones to Watch 2025 series, celebrating new creative talent.
InstagramMetropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)editorial - "Anthony Burrill's Iconic Poster Celebrates 21 Years"
It's Nice That · May 1, 2025
The article celebrates the 21st anniversary of Anthony Burrill’s iconic letterpress poster 'Work Hard and Be Nice to People' and explores his long-standing collaboration with Adams of Rye. It coincides with a new exhibition, 'Archive and Rarities 2004–2019', at They Made This in London, showcasing 25 of Burrill’s typographic prints. The piece reflects on Burrill’s creative journey, his love for analogue printmaking, and the enduring cultural impact of his positive manifesto.
Adams of RyeThey Made Thisprint - Anthony Burrill and Two Girls Co. Launch Joyful Giftware Line
Creative Boom · Apr 15, 2025
Graphic artist Anthony Burrill has collaborated with Bristol-based indie brand Two Girls Co. on a joyful new giftware collection. The partnership produced two limited-edition items—a twin enamel pin set and a sticker—celebrating creativity, connection, and positivity. The collaboration merges Burrill’s typographic optimism with Two Girls Co.’s playful, inclusive design ethos.
Two Girls Co.product_design - "New Documentary Reveals Creativity Behind Leeds' Street Art"
Creative Boom · Mar 12, 2025
Creative Boom features 'Art Around Every Corner', a new documentary by James and Vicky Wall that explores the artists and murals shaping Leeds’ creative identity. The film highlights both established and emerging muralists, offering an intimate look at their processes and the cultural value of public art. Produced by the Walls’ studio Creative Stories, the project celebrates community creativity and aims to inspire broader appreciation for the city’s artistic scene.
Creative Storiesfilm - Secret 7" 2025 Unveils Top Artists for Charity Record Sleeves
It's Nice That · Mar 4, 2025
The 2025 edition of Secret 7” returns under War Child, featuring record sleeve artworks by renowned artists and designers including Antony Gormley, Yinka Ilori, Paul Smith, and Anthony Burrill. The charity project invites creatives to design anonymous sleeves for seven tracks, which will be exhibited at Now Gallery in London before being auctioned to raise funds for children affected by conflict. Burrill discusses his experimental printmaking approach for his contribution.
War Childart|graphic_design|print - Designers Foundry: From Side Project to Global Typeface Leader
Creative Boom · Nov 21, 2024
Creative Boom profiles The Designers Foundry, a New Zealand-based type foundry founded by Daniel McQueen in 2012. The article traces its evolution from a Tumblr-linked side project to a global type provider working with brands like Apple, Nike, and Disney. It highlights recent variable font releases, collaborations, and reflections on the changing typography market.
- Adobe MAX 2024 Launches Text-to-Video AI in Creative Cloud
It's Nice That · Nov 14, 2024
Adobe MAX 2024 took place in Miami Beach, showcasing Adobe’s latest creative technology updates, including new text-to-video capabilities in Firefly and generative tools across Creative Cloud. The event emphasized ethical AI practices and featured talks from notable creatives like Awkwafina and Anthony Burrill. It concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating innovation across creative disciplines.
Adobedigital - Anthony Burrill's Top Five Creepy Halloween Movie Posters
The Brand Identity · Oct 31, 2024
The Brand Identity’s Halloween edition of 'The High Five' features designer Anthony Burrill selecting five iconic horror movie posters that continue to inspire and unsettle him. Burrill reflects on the visual language of horror and how typography and imagery evoke fear and fascination. His picks include JAWS, Alien, The Wicker Man, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining, each analyzed for its design impact and emotional resonance.
editorial - Anthony Burrill’s archive site shares his collection of raw, fascinating and unexpected ephemera
The Brand Identity · Aug 23, 2022 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews graphic artist Anthony Burrill about his new online archive, a digital collection of 500 pieces of visual ephemera. Designed by Richard Nicholls and developed by Cliff Studio, the site showcases Burrill’s fascination with raw, everyday design artifacts through a bold black, white, and yellow aesthetic. Burrill discusses the reflective process behind the project, its accessibility, and his plans to expand it further.
Cliff Studiodigital - Fivefootsix
The Brand Identity · Oct 2, 2015 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Algy Batten, co-founder of London-based design studio Fivefootsix, about the importance of collaboration and partnership in design. Batten discusses the studio’s culture, approach to trends, and its charitable project The Art of Ping Pong, which supports BBC Children in Need through exhibitions and artist collaborations. The conversation highlights Fivefootsix’s emphasis on teamwork, creativity, and community engagement.
FivefootsixRollKK OutletBBC Children in Needbranding