Young designers we like: Johan Lindstén

Johan, Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Johan Lindstén, 28 years old. I live and work in Stockholm, Sweden. After my graduation I started an independent design company, Johan Lindstén Form were I work as a freelance designer. Being able to work as a designer is a dream come true, a dream consisting of a lot of creativity, entrepreneurship and hard work. When I am not working I like going to galleries, museums, taking photos. During the winter I love to ski, play squash and in the summer it is tennis and running that makes me able to clear my mind.

When did you start designing?

My interest for design started by the age of 13 when I designed my first product, a CD rack after I could not find a nice one in IKEA. I built it in school and I still remember the pride and satisfaction when the CD RACK was done. This feeling come to haunt me until I started studying design year 2002.

Now I have studied design for six years in two different colleges and two different Universities. It is almost two years ago since I graduated as a designer. I would say my products possess a special character and create interest through its well thought out design and its unexpected details. The shape and expression combined with function is essential to the final design. Right now I’m is looking for interesting company’s to cooperate with.

What inspires you?

I find my inspiration in everyday experiences, music, and especially technical gadgets. I also get inspiration from photography and the possibility to freeze a moment in history forever. The fact that design gives me the opportunity to influence people’s state of mind, by making our surrounding objects more beautiful and joyful makes me inspired.

Name some things that you like!

I like the life and all good things that comes from it: love, happiness, excitement, desire, friends and much more. I love to sit and hear the rain hit a window with my sketchbook. Walk against a winter storm in warm clothes has always fascinated me. Sit on a pier in the summer with an ocean breeze in your face together with good friends, music and some wine makes me happy.

Name some things you dislike!

I dislike people who do not show respect to other human beings in our society. I do not like people who coughing right in the air in front of other people.

Who are your favorite designers?

There are several designers that would fit that description. Danish designer Finn Juhl for an example, he was a designer with capacity to seize all the possibilities and qualities that wood posses and transfer them to beautiful design. I really like Harry Bertoia and his ability transform steel wires to chairs with a wonderful textile feeling. Yrjö Kukkapuro and his three dimensional interpretation of glass fibre with complex curvatures.

What does your apartment look like?

My apartment in Stockholm is my sanctuary and a place in constant change. Since I moved here four years ago it have not been the same interior for more than a couple of month in a row.  Right now I am in between two studios so the apartment experience as a home/showroom. The furniture’s in my apartment is a mix from IKEA, heritage, flea market bargain, design classics and to many prototypes from myself. But I love this mix and would not have it in another way.

On the walls you will find paintings and screen prints made by friends, paintings by myself, the Vinyl-series “Pop Music From.. 1960:ies” with Roy Lichtenstein inspired motive.

A selection of Johan’s work:

For more information, visit his website.