Nonsense

Wonderland

Print, 2006

When the British fashion and design magazine Wonderland published an interview and profile on Edvard Scott, they request some exclusive graphics. Nonsense was created as an opening spread for the profile.

Stuff & Nonsense
Published: Wonderland, May 2006

Fantastical and surrealist in style, the graphic design and illustration work of Edvard Scott explores a colorful and bold subconscious. Fluid and free of structure or constraint, it seems that with each illustration Scott has picked up a pen and re-created a bizarre dream he had the night before. “Whether it’s the sound of an angry car driver or a huge crane, it can and will inspire me,” he says. “I would like to define my source of inspiration as nonsense. Nonsense is the best.” Clearly nonsense is in no short supply in Sweden, where this 20-year-old is based. His illustrative style relies on this nonsensical surrealism to uncover a strange realm of color, character and emotion. Kandinsky would, no doubt, be proud.

But there is a discernible method in Scott’s madness. He often begins his designs with the goal of letting the illustrations lead him and his thoughts someplace else – a kind of self-created maze through which he emerges with greater clarity. For other projects he has a more specific plan, considering colors, elements, size and feeling before the design process even begins. Each piece of work is unique and, it seems, not determined until the very end.

For one so young and with no formal training, Edvard Scott’s CV is impressive. Currently employed by the Stockholm Design Lab, he’s done commercial work for L’Oréal and Mini, created covers for the Design is Kinky website and created a DVD cover for the Swedish film Fyra Nyanser av Brunt – winning, as part of the Lab, the coveted Swedish design community’s Golden Egg in the process. “I’ve work hard to be where I am today,” says Scott. “Luck probably plays a greater part that I’ll ever know, but I’m still proud of what I’ve accomplished.” He has every right to be so. Scott’s enthusiasm is driving him towards greater things. “I have a list of clients that I would give anything to work with and they have one thing in common: they do genius stuff,” he says. “Paul Smith, Comme des Garcon, Apple and Yohji Yamamoto are some of my dream clients. And I’d love to do some nice record covers soon. I’m still waiting for someone to call me about that…” If any of you are reading, we have his number.

Written by Barbara Stainer