Charlotte Swiden

Most Swedes are known for their love of simplicity, order and structure. And Charlotte Swiden is no exception. This charming Swedish artist creates designs that perfectly balance a pop of color with white space. For example, Charlotte’s Ice Cream handbag features an orange triangle cone topped with yellow, blue, and pink circle scoops balanced perfectly by her skillful use of negative space. Charlotte sells products like this from her online store, which includes greeting cards, trays, coasters and more. Get inspired by this simply delightful designer with her 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Swedish, happy and hand-drawn.

2. Who is your creative role model?
I don’t know if I have a role model anymore, but when I was a kid pondering over who I was going to be when I grew up, I think my cousin inspired me a lot. She was different to everyone else I knew. She didn’t live “the safe life”. She was an artist, she travelled the globe when she was very young, she went to Italy and painted portraits on the streets for a living. I knew if she dared to follow her dreams, maybe I could too. I could draw, be creative and go out in the big world to find out where I belonged, just like she did.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Be in nature, swim in the ocean, play more with my friends.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
My home country Sweden inspires all my designs. It’s what I grew up with and is what fills my mind.

And nature anywhere in the world: trees, oceans, leaves, mountains, and beaches. I collect memories of beautiful scenery from all around.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I’d like to sit inside the back of an amazing artists head, like Picasso or Frida Kahlo, and just be a tourist in their mind for a day. Just quietly listening to their way of thinking.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
Cinnamon scrolls from my aunty Kerstin’s recipe is my most popular homemade gift.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My journals. I kept all my writing and drawings since I was little, it’s my greatest treasure.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My best friend once said to me: “Don’t worry, things always work out for the best, and if they don’t work out for the best, they will still work out.” I don’t know if she understood herself what she meant because we were just kids, but it stuck with me and I always think about it when I start to stress out.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Fine little day is a favourite of mine. I get very nostalgic and a small stitch in my tummy looking at it, I miss Sweden so much seeing the beautiful photography.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When my gut feeling tells me so. I never go back and re-draw or paint anything that I’ve finished. There’s no end to the different ways I can use my illustrations when applying them to products, but the artwork doesn’t change.