Andreas Wikström is a versatile graphic designer from Sweden. Our paths crossed on the magnificent world wide web where we instantly fell in love with his work. The love was mutual - as it turned out Andreas loves our products! He came with an idea of creating a lion in his own style. When he sent us the files, we didn't see it first. But when we did… Well the papers are here, aren't they? Andreas described his design as a paradox. "It's a camouflage pattern that's designed to be something that you dare to show off in public; A real eye catcher." With that he added a deeper view of his artwork "Maybe the best camouflage in a self-centered world is to be proud of who you are and your actions." There you go. Great looking papers with a message to think about. Check them here.

YOUR SKILL SET IS PRETTY AMAZING, WHICH OF THE SKILLS WOULD BE YOUR FAVORITE?

If I had to chose one, it would probably be illustration just because of it's versatility and range. One day you might be drawing small doodles for packages, and the other you're drawing covers for some magazine. And illustration work spans over many different sections of my design (such as icon design for example); Still illustration, just a different format.

HOW DID YOU START, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PIECE OF ART THAT YOU CREATED?

That's a really hard question, because it's so hard to pin-point the exact moment. I started out as almost everyone else, doodling, which later turned in to drawing, which led to the “quest” for more knowledge, and so forth. One of my first commissioned job I did was some decals for a model toy maker. In “today’s standard” it was overly underpaid work, and what I delivered was not of a high quality at all. But the client was happy, and I was ecstatic by the fact that you could actually make money of something that you love to do, so I count it as a success anyways.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

In risk of sounding like a broken record; Versatility. You never know what the next project is going to be about or involve. As a freelancer this could be stressful sometimes, but it's also a great inspiration to always strive for something new.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MIND FLOW OF IDEAS YOU HAD BEFORE YOU STARTED WORKING ON THE GRAPHIC FOR ZIGGI PAPERS?

I had a pretty great initial idea, or at least which elements that I wanted to include in the design, but I just didn't know how. When working with different elements the first thing to do is to find what they have in common or their differences, and work from there.

DO YOU EVER HAVE THE NEED TO CAMOUFLAGE YOURSELF, TO JUST GO AND HIDE. DO YOU HAVE LIKE YOUR OWN SWEET SPOT, A ZEN-ZONE?

I've always lived close to nature and the ocean, so whenever I want to hide I just go out in nature a while and all the problems in the World seems to evaporate. One of the great things living in Sweden is that wherever you might live in this country, you're always surrounded by nature. Even in the larger cities as well; Just head on 10-15min in any direction to escape the city.

DO POLAR BEARS REALLY ROAM THE STREETS OF SWEDEN?

Yes, and I'm a certified polar bear trainer.