If there is one designer in this industry with which delicacy of style and quality of craft meet, that must be freelance graphic designer and surface pattern illustrator Camilla Blom.
As one of our certified studiopro, Camilla is one of our Top 50 Graphic Designers on Creativepool and is the living proof of how wonderful it can be to love your own job. Constantly thinking outside of the box, Camilla has been in love for design since she was just 10 years old, and has been falling in love with her craft daily ever since.
For this Member Spotlight, we are learning more about Camilla's story and what brought her into the industry in the first place.
How did you get into the industry?
When I was ten I read an article about Beckmans School of Design, Stockholm. It sounded too good to be true… From that moment on it was my dream and my goal. And yes, after school and two years as an Art Directors assistant at an Advertising Agency in Gothenburg, I was accepted at Beckmans. I was then 20 years old. I have not worked in any other field, since the age of 18.
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I have been a freelance Designer/Illustrator/Art Director/Surface Pattern Designer ever since I graduated from design school. Right now I live in, and work from a beautiful area in the south of Sweden called Österlen. An area full of artists and creative people. Only 1,5 hours from Copenhagen. I am fortunate enough to have assignments and clients all over Europe.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I would be a midwife.
How would you describe your style?
In my process I need to get ’hands on’ immediately, I start sketching and get new ideas while I am working. Sometimes by accident. I try not to limit myself, I try to be as ’free’ as possible. And then start to scale back, extract and simplify.
Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
I absolutely love my work and almost everything in my daily life provides some kind of inspiration: patterns, colours and shapes for example. There are so many people I admire… From Karl Gerstner, Dieter Rahms, Paul Rand and Tom Eckersley to Stefan Sagmeister. Other sources of inspiration are the Bauhaus movement, the long tradition of Scandinavian Design, Japanese youth culture, the old Swiss graphics, art and much more. I constantly draw and paint, and in my free time I read about art and design.
If you had to pick one ideal client/employer, who would that be and why?
In a dream world I wouldn’t have to worry about money. I would be an artist, creating my own art.
How has technology affected the way you work?
A lot, of course. It is a fantastic tool and the possibilities are endless. But it is a tool like any other, just like my pens and brushes.
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
I try to see EVERY assignment and client as a fantastic and fun challenge and opportunity.
I also always get inspired when I teach and meet young students at design schools.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
That my work (for example as a surface pattern designer) has actually helped a few companies to great success. And also teaching at various design schools.
How do you recharge away from the office?
I do things with my hands, like for example painting and knitting.
What is one tip for other aspiring creatives looking for work?
Get to know all the rules of the trade – and then break them! Step outside of the box, go the extra mile…
What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?
The age discrimination.
Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
Always keep up with upcoming trends and contemporary stuff – but don’t forget to learn from and find inspiration in the history!
