INSIDE NICER TUESDAYS
INSPIRATION BEYOND THE DRINKS CATEGORY
Exploring creativity across disciplines, and how it can broaden the future of drinks.
As a creative drinks agency, Wonderworks is always on the lookout beyond category for inspiration, as innovation can come from anywhere. As a drinks branding agency working across creative strategy and brand activation, that perspective is essential.
With this in mind, we headed over to EartH Hackney for an evening of creative talks, as part of the latest edition of Nicer Tuesdays.
Hosted by It’s Nice That, these monthly evenings are held in various venues where a range of creatives are brought together to share their insights and stories from their craft or a specific project close to their hearts.
DIGITAL MEETS STOP MOTION
This month, the event was sponsored by Love Corn and El Rayo Tequila (who are currently delving into the arts by collaborating with Margate collage artist Alice Isaac for their ‘Tequila Made Art’ campaign).
First up were Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson, a witty duo of BAFTA-winning digital and stop motion animators. They discussed the work they’re doing for the BBC show Small Prophets and how they were able to bring the mythical characters of the homunculi (pictured above) to life by combining their skill sets for a hybrid approach. Giving a true peek behind the curtain at how they started with stop motion and built on this digitally for more fluid, expressive detail. This clip shows their artistry in play.
The behind-the-scenes insight into their collaborative process offered a deeper look at how traditional and digital techniques can inform broader creative strategies, creating something compelling.
BEHIND THE LENS
Next, the evening shifted into the stunning world of Delali Ayivi’s photography, heavily inspired by her Togolese-German background. From her series, Heimat (In Quarantine) to shooting the likes of Tyla and Damson Idris for British Vogue, her work displays a blend of personal narrative with striking visual identity.
She described how her preteen Tumblr phase leant itself to her finding her creative voice, allowing her to be unfiltered. Her story serves as a reminder that even outside the drinks industry, inspiration often comes from unexpected places.
OUR TYPE: ON PAPER AND DIGITAL
Next up, the world of type from Amber Weaver, a graphic designer who founded Type01, a font marketplace and type design magazine.
Surprisingly, it was her reluctance to follow the graphic designer route that led her to crafting her platform, which has become a globally recognised resource. Additionally, it led to the creation of Femme Type, a book that celebrates type designers who identify as women, championing underrepresented voices in the creative industry.
IMMERSED IN ILLUSTRATIONS
The final talk came from British-Sri Lankan artist, illustrator and designer Murugiah whose vibrant work encapsulates immersive worlds that bridge the gap between his British and Sri Lankan background, as well as blending his love for film posters and adapting them into visuals that offer personal and visual storytelling.
From designing eccentric watch faces to preparing for his first solo exhibition opening at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, he’s still experimenting with finding his voice through his very kaleidoscopic lens.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
The breadth of voices at Nicer Tuesdays is what makes the format particularly inviting. By prioritising inspiration over career retrospectives, the talks open up space for ideas to resonate across disciplines.
For a drinks marketing agency like us, these kinds of cross-industry moments are invaluable, offering fresh ways of creative thinking that can inform everything from drinks branding to campaign execution for modern drinks brands. Regardless of specialism, there is always something to take away, whether it’s a new perspective, a creative catalyst, or simply a reminder of the value of experimentation, and we can’t wait to see where inspiration strikes next.
Want to find out more? Check out our latest work below