interview :: petra borner - confessions of a design geek

This article was published 14 years

Petra Borner is a London-based Swedish illustrator I first came across through graphic art gallery Outline Editions. Her work is bold and bright and with design*sponge‘s Grace Bonney as a fan, I suspect her star is rising…

How did you get into illustration?

I always wanted to – and I started as an assistant at an animation and illustration studio after A-levels, but then slipped into fashion for many years.

I’ve gone about half circle now and I wonder what will happen next.

What’s the most important thing to know about you?

I’m better at drawing than talking, but I like both!

What inspires you?

Words, although I read slowly with poor concentration, and succeeding at a challenge.

What do you do to get over creative block?

Plough on through it, because tomorrow I’ll see things differently anyway. Or write a letter.

Where did the idea for your ‘Play series come from?

It’s about the romance and gloom of unrequited love.

The artwork for ‘Play’ was commissioned as part of a series of classic books published by Swedish Albert Bonnier.

‘Den Allvarsamma leken’ (‘The Serious Game’) by Hjalmar Söderberg is set in Sweden in the early 1900s.

It’s a great novel most Swedes read in high school – well, at least they did when I was a teenager!

Talk me through the design and making process for something like Play? How do you get from initial idea to final product?

As this artwork was a commission, the starting point came from re-reading the novel and then starting to sketch out ideas, working on the composition and subject from the mood. I usually share sketches at an early stage with the client and the project runs from there. Opulent colours were central to the direction of the series, so I worked with a few images in parallel. The artwork was finally cut in paper and photographed for the cover.

What’s a good day in the life of Petra Börner? And a bad day?

Most days usually seem good to me.

What advice would you give to an aspiring artist and illustrator?

Always develop your own work even if you are getting commissions.

Get rid of work frequently to make mental space for new ideas.

What influence has growing up in a small town in Sweden had on your work?

I had a lot of time to draw and there wasn’t much else I was interested in!

Life in a big city came later and I think I appreciate it more than people who grew up in one.

I think it helps me feel at ease on my own.

You talk about being inspired by “natural elements” – can you elaborate on that?

I seem to find good ideas and inspiration from natural references. It’s a neutral starting point, but I like to draw most things though.

What influence has London had on your work?

I love London, living here makes me happy and I’m perfect for it – We really get along! A good state of mind is fruitful creatively – I don’t thrive of misery.

What or who has influenced your style?

Everybody!

Why is the world in love with Scandinavian design – what’s so special about the way you guys do things?

I’m part English now after living in London half of my life. I’m a Scandi wannabe when I wannabe…!

The real Scandinavians have a certain depth; there is sincerity and dedication to tasks and to better standards. Everything seems to be done with purpose and attention. But, present is also a darkness and a quiet, which I haven’t encountered elsewhere.

What’s your favorite thing about Sweden?

This is very hard. The obscurity of the language perhaps, that it’s melodic.

What are your top tips for places to get a Scandi fix in London?

The Nordic Bakery in Golden Square and Skandium, Marylebone High Street.

What’s next for you?

I’m excited about a few projects, including the launch of my own stationary range, COSMOS, a collaboration with StudioThomson and collaborations developing my illustrations into home-ware.