Welcome to ‘10 QUESTIONS for…’ a series of 10 interviews with 10 designers from around the globe, where I get to share with you their answers to 10 important and interesting questions related to their artistic career in the Surface Pattern Design industry. I hope you find these interviews informative, fun, creative and inspiring.
This week’s ‘10 Questions for…’ interview is with Monika Forsberg
It’s time to grab your favourite cuppa, sit back and enjoy the read. This is the eighth interview in this series of ‘10 Questions for…’ Surface Pattern Designer interviews.
Monika Forsberg grew up on the coast of Swedish Lapland and now resides in London with her family.
Monika has a truly bold, colourful and completely identifiable style. Her illustrations and patterns include bright pops of colour, sometimes unexpected colour combinations, and yet they work when you look at the whole design. Her work is unique and often include charming, fantastical characters. Monika’s work is magical and authentic. It’s refreshing to see an artist be 100% aware of their design style.
Aussies will remember her fabulous collaboration with Gorman. I particularly loved the Best Buds floral design with thick, woven stems and colourful bud-like flowers. Other Clients Monika has worked with include: Anthropologie, Lagom Design, Kate Spade, Quarto Publishing, eeBoo, Free Spirit Fabrics and even the United Nations!
I met Monika briefly when she visited BluePrint, the independent Surface design and illustration trade show in New York in 2019. I was exhibiting at the time, and I remember her being kind and polite, calm, and quietly spoken. It was a refreshing moment amongst the crazy and busy time of the show. Plus there was a crowd of designers I admire walking the show that day and standing and talking near my booth. Funny story though and a little embarrassing for me….I remember speaking with Monika about her Gorman collaboration and saying how I loved it, then I had a complete brain lapse and suggested in the next conversation that she should collaborate with Gorman! I don’t know if she’ll remember that. :) I think I was a little star struck, after all, and I got my thoughts muddled. I was meeting a few of my design heroes, Monika amongst them after all you see, and I was exhausted from day three of the show. ;)
Anyway… I hope you’ll love reading this interview with Monika. Her advice to new designers, or any designer for that matter is perfect. Read Monika’s answers to question 3 and 6 particularly. They resonated with me, and I hope they inspire you.
Forever Summer. Image and artwork copyright Monika Forsberg.
Q1. How long have you been working in art/design/art licensing?
Monika: I got my very first illustration/licensing jobs in July 2014.
Q2. What are your favourite tools to create with?
Monika: Pen and paper and paints. Then when needing to colour separate for patterns or compose a picture, I use Adobe photoshop
Blue Lillies. Image and artwork copyright Monika Forsberg.
Q3. What are some time saving tips you use in your workflow when designing?
Monika: Hmmm. It’s a difficult one. Sometimes I make a pattern in an hour, sometimes it takes weeks. Getting The colours right is often the hardest. I’ve learnt that less is often more. Aka it’s good to use less colours. Limited colour palette. I’m not sure I’ve learnt any time saving tips. I always prided myself on being fast. And the less you think and the faster you go, the better the result is. Often. But lately I have been trying to work slower ...and to achieve that ‘not thinking’ things for a longer stretch. It takes a lot of concentration. Haha. If that makes sense. Someone said ‘You can think before and you can think after, but whilst you’re making; don’t’ ( think). It’s an approach that works well for me.
Cat Illustration for Building blocks. Image and artwork copyright Monika Forsberg.
Q4. Who are you inspired by in the Surface Design Industry/creative industry right now?
Monika: I have just had a longer period of not consuming pictures or patterns. Not looked at art. I have been a little over worked and there have been very little space to look at any visuals. I do love Kilim rugs. I could have a whole house of rugs. I’m also inspired by nature itself. When out walking; I stop and look at leaves or birds. That is the best designer, Nature. Sometimes you look at people’s work and it blows your socks off. I’m always in awe of Carson Ellis. How to be able to be so powerful in such a minimalistic way. That’s how I see it. She doesn’t need to fill up a whole page to pack a punch, whereas I feel my work isn’t strong in itself to have space around it, so I go for the maximalist approach. Often.
Q5. Who are your dream clients that you’d absolutely love to work with and why?
Monika: I have been so lucky in my short career to work with the best of the best people. I wouldn’t mind designing the rugs, carpet, upholstery for a hotel. Imagine that. ‘Hotel Walkyland’. On a serious note. I love working with a range of clients; from really big companies to small businesses. It’s the people and the ideas I love.
Q6. What advice would you give to a new designer to help them get their first licensing deal?
Monika: Be yourself. It’s easy to do bad copies of artist you admire work. But it’s really hard to be yourself. Be you, no one else is you. You will stand out. Be so much you it couldn’t be anyone else. Be you. Also listen to feedback. Don’t be offended by criticism. Take it onboard. If you just draw for yourself it’s your castle. But if you’re working to communicate to people, listen and observe.
Image and artwork copyright Monika Forsberg
Q7. What’s your proudest design achievement in your career to-date?
Monika: I’m always going to love my first job for Eeboo. It was my very first job as an illustrator. It was a bird and a squirrel on a tin pencil case. And when I did my first fabric collection for Free spirit Fabrics/ conservatory craft I was proud of myself. But each thing I work on is great. I learn new things every day.
Q8. How important is knowing your design style and aesthetic and also believing in yourself, your skills, and ability when you approach clients to work with?
Monika: I think it’s best to be honest (about your abilities) and have a dialogue with your client. If there is technical stuff I’m unsure about there’s always YouTube. And as for pricing there are a lovely community of illustrators to ask. Be generous. Listen.
Hang on. I just read the question you asked again and .. to be honest I don’t approach clients. I don’t know how. I’m too shy. People tend to approach me and we chat and if things work out well we will collaborate.
Image and artwork copyright Monika Forsberg.
Q9. Do you ever have creative blocks and if so, how do you deal with them?
Monika: I don’t think I ever feel creative. I just make stuff. Drawing is my way of switching off my brain and relax. Find that inner peace. It’s like an anchor. Keeps me grounded. I have had patches of working too much and things don’t feel fun anymore; that’s when I stop and take it easy. Go hiking and swimming. And just lie on the sofa and stare at the ceiling.
Q10. Have you made any mistakes in your career that helped you or your business later on? What did you learn?
Monika: I think I make mistakes every single day. It spurs me on. To make that perfect picture that perfect pattern. I feel like the result is always a little off. So gotta try again. If I made the perfect picture I could quit drawing and start doing something else.
You can find out more about Monika and follow her here:
https://www.Walkyland.com
https://www.Instagram.com/monika_forsberg
Thanks for your time answering the ‘10 Questions’ Monika. I absolutely love your advice to be ‘…so much you it couldn’t be anyone else’. I found that really inspiring and motivating.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this interview with Monika. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.