Apr 23
Robert Lindström
2007 at 10.30 am posted by Veerle
This time we visit Sweden, up north to a place called Skellefteå for an artist that had a great influence on many Illustrators a few years ago. He is best known under his alias DesignChapel.
My name is Robert Lindström and I am 34 years old. I've studied Graphic Design at Boca Raton, Florida and worked at Paregos Mediadesign in Skellefteå, Sweden until 1998. In the Spring of that year I've started to freelance. In 2003 I've started a company with my childhood friend Roger Stighäl called North Kingdom.
Looking at his work, I always wonder about the story behind the ideas and I can only guess. Robert's style has an urban and very contemporary flair. The color palette is just simply stunning. I know how hard it is to choose from this particular palette and get to a beautiful result. His multi-talent is reflected throughout his fascinating work.
How long have you been drawing and did it take long to find your personal style?
I am not a traditional illustrator at all, more a graphic designer. Drawing and painting is something I do after work for fun. My style? Hm I have not tried so many styles so I can not say it took a long time... It was during summer that I had some weeks left for illustrating... But I think I am always looking for a new style but yes, maybe I end up with a feeling of my old work.
How is your work environment and does it has an effect on your inspiration?
I am living in a small town up in north part of Sweden called Skellefteå, where you can not find so much inspiration but you can find a lot of peacefulness :) We have tried to make our offices as good as we can though. I think it is very important to work in an office you really want to be in. You will be there all day so be careful that you are sitting in an inspiration area, and I am trying to have the same idea about my apartment. Magazines, movies and internet is our rescue!
Any special places you go to get inspired like for fonts or general inspiration?
Mmm, I think that would be my design library at home (I am a designbook-holic ) or the net. I love typography!
Do you first sketch your illustrations on paper? Can you reveal a bit of your usual technical process? Which applications do you mainly use?
Yes I am always working on paper first, but then I take photos of the motives if I go for that technique. Then I draw all the curves etc by hand (takes lot of time though...) in Photoshop and coloring it in Illustrator/Photoshop. The job I am working on now I also designed the dresses, so it will be something totally new! I am trying to find a new way to illustrate right now so I am not sure how it will end up... Hopefully good ;)
Is there still something on your wish-list that you would like to accomplish as an illustrator?
LOTS! Wow, I still have a lot to accomplish! Specially for my self! I want to be happy when I am drawing so I need to find a technique and a style I really want to go on with!
More examples at Robert's site DesignChapel. Robert also blogs at DCHPL/BLOG.
1
Oh this brings back memories. I remember when his site and identity were the “talk of the town.” I actually was thinking of his work lately but forgot the site’s name, so I have you to thank for that. :)
Really great to see his work again and great interview. :D
2
I second your thoughts, Veerle: Robert’s portfolio is simply stunning and his attention for typography and color makes his work unique.
No wonder he is the man behind Get The Glass, one of the best looking (not to mention funniest and well realized) Flash–based games I’ve seen lately.
3
He’s a god. I’ve always liked his work and I think he’s one of a kind.
4
Ahh yes, i remember this from back in the day, and like Bryan said..thanks for the link.
5
Hey Veerle!
It’s really nice that you’ve featured him on this site. It brought back a lot of memories for me. This guy actually gave me the push I needed to go for a career in design. I was 3.75 years through college/university studying engineering, and I wasn’t happy with a future of investment banking or business analysis/consulting (although I hear the money is nice :) ). I wrote him an email (as he was my most inspiring and influential designer that I had read about), and he actually responded with a very solid letter that meant a lot to me.
At the time, he was becoming bigger and bigger by the second like Brian V. mentioned, and as a young adult needing some guidance, it was amazing that he mailed me back with anything at all.
Shortly after that email and some careful thought, I canceled my plans for big city, corporate consulting and analyst positions, and made arrangements to stay an extra half year in college to gain a solid foundation in design. After a non-stop, six month cramming of design fundamentals with my professor, I left university and started my career. I still graduated with an engineering degree, but I’m afraid it’s gathered a bit of dust over the years.
I now have piles of design magazines and books surrounding that framed piece of paper, and with a new art desk and my little old powerbook, I’m pushing forward with a design career, and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m always impressed by how tight the design community is, and how if you have questions, you can just ask. Even most of the design titans (like yourself Ms.Pieters), among the many speaking engagements, workload, and day to day woes of life, still make the effort and take the time to respond… it’s great.
Back to Rob though, he’s a really talented artist for the style he has, and he puts out some amazing work (though I do have some beef with all flash, and questionable usability/accessibility). I owe this guy a lot, and I’m just happy he popped up again on the radar.
Thanks for putting up the link so that other people can visit and check it out! I still have it bookmarked of course, and I still check it every so often to see what’s new :)
6
Anyway, thank you for sharing Veerle, as usual.
By the way… do you have the phone number of the black woman above? :)
Have a nice evening all.
7
I remember looking at the site over a year ago. Its nice to see his recent work.
8
Hi, my name is Camilo, and I think that your work is BEAUTIFUL!! congratulations! really, you have impressed me!! you’re great!!!
Greetings from Colombia!
9
I am a new visitor to this site thanks to a gentle push from a fellow by the name of Sam aka Story Pixel. The story on Robert and his work is astounding. I am incredibly impressed by the detail and am so glad I found his work.
10
hi verle,
nice article.
do you have any tutorial or a site that explains how to do these types of illustrations.
i see a lot of these types of pictures in “chic” lit covers and i am always wondering how they do it.
please email me the url if you have the time.
thanks
11
Thank you for sharing the info. I’ve been trying to put together some nice looking duotone style graphics for a website banner. Some of the examples above really are perfect. Not much but simple lines and nice colour schemes. Thanks again.
12
designchapel is one of the gratests websites i’ve ever seen.
I’ve noticed it 2 years ago its an inspiration sanctuary!
not only the vector nuns or other illustrations but his graphic design creatures as well, are top quality works and inspiration for all designers.
keep walking… :)