Umber

Umber Umber is a cultural media studio centered around art, design and music. We Are Living Culture.™

"Culture is what makes us different but it is also what connects us. It is the glue that holds us together and holds the story of our past, present and future." Founded by creative director, designer and visual artist Mike Nicholls, we officially launched in 2017 with UMBER, our themed-graphic journal highlighting the Black and Brown perspective. Through the power of print, we took our readers on a visual exploration of typography, space, composition, and illustration. With a visionary commitment to thought and artistry, our publications stimulate the curious, strengthen the imaginative and nurture the passionate. Umber paints Black people, Indigenous people, Latin Americans and marginalized people of color around the world, with the full palette of their experiences, allowing their brilliance to expand and redefine what it means to be Black and Brown.

06/20/2026

Inspired by .

Recently, Umber spent time in LA gathering stories for The Surreal Edition. New conversations were had, new worlds were discovered, and we're excited to share more when the time is right.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed us into their spaces and shared their perspectives. You know who you are, and we can't wait for readers to experience your stories.

Back home in Oakland, and we are outside. Hella Juneteenth was filled with so much love and joy — celebrating the beauty of Black folks gathering, creating, and taking up space in the community.

Weekends like this are a reminder that culture isn't something we chase. It's something we live.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful weekend.

More soon.

12/25/2025

Thank you to the 150 supporters who preordered the Winter Gallery.

Your early support made this possible.

The Collage Issue is now available to order.
→ Link in bio.

11/22/2025

From Issue 01 to now — every Umber cover has been a timestamp in living culture. Today, we add a new cover to the archive.

Introducing The Collage Issue —
Our winter, 240-page gallery of multidimensional talents and the creative intersections that shape their perspectives.

This 9 × 12 inch archive is built to live on coffee tables, in studios, and in the hands of people who love print. Inside this issue: intimate interviews, and unseen artwork.

Join Umber in this archival movement in art, design, and music.

Presales end December 22nd.
Get yours before it hits the stands.
Link in bio.

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Oakland, CA
94610

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