Things: The best of the stuff we've been sent this month

This month we’ve got tridents of zines and third issues exploring their new-found maturity: it seems the third month of the year has heralded an influx of three-themed projects. From celebrations of the bizarre and beautiful to fetishisation of the banal, we’ve got a plethora of peculiar publications and projects for you in this month’s Things.

Ordinary, Max Siedentopf

Kessels Kramer art director Max Siedentopf has collaborated with Tialda Lublink and Yuki Kappes to bring magnificence to the mundane with new photo magazine Ordinary. The quarterly publication combines minimalist art direction with full-bleed photography spreads that see everyday objects take centre stage in unexpected contexts and surreal sculptural compositions. The Amsterdam-based publication’s maiden issue launched this month and harnesses the seemingly absurd versatility of the plastic fork.

Selected Sketches, Thomas & Jurgen

Dutch design studio Thomas & Jurgen has produced a threesome of zines for their third instalment, all exploring varying iterations of “three”. Providing engaging insight into the development process of creative projects, Thomas & Jurgen’s trident of Selected Sketches zines takes symbols read as “three” and demonstrates how sketching is integral to the creation of a unique design by articulating and answering provocative questions in a visual format.

Some Sheep, Judith Erwes

London-based photographer Judith Erwes’ pop art-inspired book Some Sheep might be the smallest coffee table book we’ve ever seen. Unapologetically content with staging the peculiar and shooting it as oddly alluring portraiture, Judith’s latest offering serves up a collection of nonchalant sheep boasting a variety of hair and fur styles.

Cosmic Surgery, Alma Haser

First featured on It’s Nice That way back in August 2013, photographer Alma Haser’s Cosmic Surgery project explores the concept of adding hidden narratives to traditional portrait photography. Sandwiched somewhere between hypnotic and grotesque, Alma has recently revisited the project in collaboration with Emily Macaulay of Stanley James Press to produce a pop-up photography book allowing the reader to disguise the identity of a subject with origami shapes. You can even undergo your own Cosmic Surgery facelift on the project’s new website.

Moon, Verity Pemberton

The third issue of stylist and art director Verity Pemberton’s bi-annual Moon Magazine traverses the growing pains associated with subjective maturity and the challenge of growing up as a professional creative. The art direction of Moon sees stereotypically feminine visual themes exploited to subtly poke fun at an archaic perception of female youth, while copy-heavy pages emphasise the relevance of storytelling and discussion in the tricky journey to becoming an adult.

Kite, Jess Wilson

Renowned for her energetic and engaging illustrations and prints, London-based creative Jess Wilson was recently commissioned by Kite Eyewear to produce eight images that have been reproduced as cleaning cloths and protective pouches. Emblazoned with her typically playful messages of encouragement and enthusiasm, Jess’ designs feature vibrant colour and intricate, geometric patterns.

Print Isn’t Dead, People of Print

Self-published by People of Print, Print Isn’t Dead is a celebration of all things print, championing modern iterations of traditional printing processes and providing historical content in the form of interviews and long-form editorial features. With art direction by James Lunn, Element #004 features a sickly-sweet cover of purple, pink and orange smileys and interviews with Anthony Burrill, Alan Kitching and Marion Deuchars.

Mid-Century Modern, Thames & Hudson

Drawing on the innovation and clean lines of mid-20th Century design, Thames & Hudson’s Mid-Century Modern release sees Here Design’s graphic renderings of classic furniture, product, lighting and industrial design pieces constructed as four concertina books, contained by a minimalist slipcase. With copy by Frances Ambler exploring the history and context of each design, this new range of books has been released in conjunction with a complementary set of 100 illustrated postcards.

Boys, Brendan Freeman

Published by art director and photographer Brendan Freeman, Boys (alongside sister magazine Girls) is an oversized bi-annual print publication celebrating new modelling talent in the fashion industry. Highlighted by his clean, monochrome graphic design, Brendan’s photography offers a subtly playful insight into the diverse pool of new male faces.

Three, Martin Fengel

Martin Fengel has just launched the first edition of Three. Recognised for his extensive work across areas including art and photography, the Munich-based creative has produced the publication, which interestingly resembles a children’s colouring book, to showcase the best of his brilliantly eccentric illustrations.