Name: Trine Andersen, creative manager and owner Ferm Living
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Product: Calendar WallSticker

Danish graphic designer Trine Andersen decided to branch out into home products in 2005, when she was re-decorating her house and couldn’t find an affordable wallpaper that she liked. She launched her first Ferm Living wallpaper collection the following year, and has since continued to design and manufacture interior products with a strong graphic identity. The product range consists of wallpaper, WallStickers, textiles, kitchen items, a collection of children’s toys and products. The company is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

What inspired you to create the Calendar WallSticker?
We wanted to make a WallSticker that was more than ‘just’ a decoration. At the studio in Copenhagen we were missing a large calendar to put on the wall where we could put in important meetings, event etc. So we came up with the idea of making a wall sticker calendar that you should be able to use month after month without having to do more than wiping off the chalk from the previous month…. We decided to also include Post-Its, because that would add an extra dimension along with the chalk.

How was the Calendar WallSticker made? 
After having made the design, we sent it to our WallSticker supplier who made a sample for us. Once we got that and approved the quality, the look and the chalk he sent, we put it into production. 

Where is the Calendar WallSticker manufactured?
It is made in Poland

What was the big aha! you had while creating this product?
It was great to find out that the idea actually worked out design wise – often you get an idea but you can’t always make it work when you are doing the actual design.

Can you describe your creative process?
I start  with lots and lots of inspiration – of all kinds (travel, web, magazines, old books, vintage objects etc). Then I try to see some directions and make a mood board with colors, materials and shapes that should be characteristic for the new collection. After that we (me, the buyer and sales) decide what products we want to develop – and when I know what style and what type of product we want to present for the next collection, the actual design process begins. I often start up with hand drawn illustrations that I later will put onto my computer. When the design is finished, all descriptions, colors and artwork is passed on to our buyer, who then communicates with the manufacturer. After a while and a lot of communication with the manufacturer we receive prototypes, and we comment on them together before the actual production starts.

What do you love about what you do?
I especially love to be able to turn ideas into products. I love the process of brainstorming and designing products, and I love when you get nice prototypes of new products!

How would you sum up your aesthetic/design philosophy?
The style is “retro meets modern“ and all the products has a Scandinavian touch and a graphic nerve. 

What are you working on next?
Our next collection – the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection

What would you like to do (dream job), other than your current occupation?
I already have my dream job – I really do. But I would like to do less of the more administrative stuff that comes along with owning your own business…