There’s often a dark side to the outwardly cute illustrations of Icelandic graduate Marta Eir Sigurðardóttir – a thoughtfulness and complexity she also carries into editorial and graphic design projects.
You’re an illustrator and a graphic designer, does your approach to these two practices differ?
I approach both fields somewhat similarly and I think my work in these two fields often influences each other. Every project starts with a pen and a piece of paper. Then I turn on some music, do some research, write down all my ideas and thoughts (even if they suck, I think it’s nice to just get them out there) and then I start some rough sketching. I always approach my work with humour, creativity and try not limit myself or my ideas. It’s important for me to enjoy my work.
What are you favourite kind of briefs to work on?
I enjoy working on challenging projects that allow me to be creative, and where I can bring my own interpretation to the task.
Tell us a little bit about Mæna magazine.
Mæna
is an annual magazine about graphic design in Iceland, published by the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Each year has its own theme and for the 2014 issue Mæna was all about technology. Designers, academics and students wrote articles on subjects ranging from electronics of the past to dreams of the far future. Graphic design is dependent on technology and is often about making it more accessible. Our intention was to express this in a clear, creative and innovative manner.
The team consisted of seventeen graphic design students, editor Dóra Ísleifsdóttir and creative directors Birna Geirfinnsdóttir and Lóa Auðunsdóttir. We wanted the magazine itself to be a comment on the designer’s toolkit, using methods such as laser cutting and folding techniques while abstaining from glue and traditional binding methods.
What have you been working on recently?
I recently did some graphic design work for Neptún magazine, which is a great magazine about design, architecture and visual arts. I have also been working on developing my work, exploring and trying out new things.
Tell us about a project that you’ve found particularly challenging?
The most challenging project was my graduation project. It was really hard because I could do whatever I wanted and you don’t really have a lot of time to do it. My brain was full of ideas but it was really tricky to pull one out and work with it. Most of my time went into research, thinking and sketching.
My end result was a book called The World Beyond the Senses, a illustrated story based on the origin of the Icelandic word 'martröð' which means 'nightmare'. The word 'martröð' is a combination of the words 'mara' and 'tröð' (which translates as ‘trample’). According to folklore, Mara is an entity that preys on people in their sleep. The folklore was widely believed in Northern Europe. The story is twenty-one pages, but not in a traditional book form. Every picture can stand alone but together they form a story-come-nightmare. I think it gives people a chance to experience the book and narrative in a different way: the illustrations are not stuck in the book, you can take your favourites and hang them on the wall or just arrange them your own way and completely change the story arch. Even though it was really challenging, it was really rewarding and I learned a lot about myself and what I like to do.
martak00l.com
