Erik Fläder is a creator whose passion for creativity has followed him through a variety of fields. He has explored various career paths after high school, including fashion science, teacher education, systems science, industrial design, and UX/UI design, graduating in the latter two. Despite the fact that he has worked in various fields, the curiosity about his own business has always been present. Driven by the spirit of exploration, Erik has now taken the step to start his own company, which is a natural consequence of a creativity that never seems to end.
Intervju med Erik Fläder
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background as a creator?
My background as a creator is based on a creativity that never seems to have an end. I have always been drawn to the creative in all sorts of different forms, but that it would land in creating posters was never actually a clear goal or plan. I would like to say that my creativity shows itself in exploring different fields, and that this is what made me finally get hooked on this. After high school, I have explored a number of different creative and less creative fields. For example, I have tried to study a lot. Fashion science, teacher, systems science, industrial design and UX/UI design, where I have a degree in the last two. After my degrees, I have managed to work a bit, but the curiosity about my own business was always in the back of my mind. So then, being the explorer that I am, I wanted to start my own. And now we are here!
What does a typical working day look like for you?
Reading about things that you should know as a self-employed person, creating material for social media, working on the current poster (since I always have a poster going), thinking, overthinking, thinking and overthinking things. Kind of like that.
Are there any particular techniques or tools you prefer when creating?
I think I'm quite unique in my choice of tools when creating my posters. In UX/UI design, the tool Figma is my best friend, and has become so in my creation of posters as well. In this way, I keep my knowledge of the Figma tool up and running, even if I'm not working with UX/UI at the moment.
If you had to choose one. What is your favorite dinnerware?
ONE!? Haha! Of course it has to be a Gefle tableware. My grandparents had some porcelain from Gefle that I can still remember even though these memories are from a very long time ago. But, if I have to choose a decor, it's actually not such a difficult choice. My first posts were still "Furuvik" for a reason.
Do you have a favorite among Swedish designers?
Of course I admire Gefle and all of Sweden's porcelain decor designers, every time I see a specific decor I always wonder how they arrived at the end result. Berit Ternell and Helmer Ringström are two favourites. Otherwise, I also admire the drink poster queen Elin PK! When these two worlds are combined, you end up in Erik Fläder's world.
What do you listen to when you create?
The traffic and trains just outside, the voice of the woman who occasionally announces departures, arrivals, delays and track changes. And a snoring dog too. Sounds that have just become white noise for another. I find that my mind is most open then, when my surroundings remind me. Isolating myself with music in my headphones is actually nothing for me.
Do you have a favorite among your creations, if so which one and why?
Tulip! Even if it was very difficult to make. I just love that cup and the green color, and the decor made such an incredible backdrop as well.
Which of your posters do you think work best together?
Maybe a little unexpected, and actually even for me before I tried it myself. But two cup posters together will be so incredibly homely and cosy. Here at home, we are currently running Bouquet Red and Blue Aster, two colors that we otherwise don't get into the interior very well otherwise. Tip!
You spend a lot of time creating a beautiful home. What is your best tip for a successful interior design?
Local flea markets, vintage shops and auctions! The other day I managed to unearth four incredible Gefle plates at a flea market hiding in a jungle of stacked plates. Also dare to see potential in furniture and things you find in these kinds of places, only your imagination sets your limits. For example, I never thought that I would ever own an old plate rack, but now I can't stop thinking about the idea of fronting my fine Gefle porcelain in one. Just that in itself becomes a work of art here at home.
What advice would you give to young creators who want to immerse themselves in their creation?
Combine your creation with your other interests, what would happen then? It will be both more fun, more challenging and at the same time more personal.
Erik's Favourite Print
Tulpan Gefle Kaffekopp Poster
