Interview with a designer: Ingibjorg Hanna

Ingibjorg Hanna is a graphic designer from Iceland Academy of the Arts. Raven and Not Rudolf are among her objects she has designed recently and are available in Birkiland. She loves to reawake the child inside us all. Her work is playful and functional. We asked her few questions to get to know a little bit more about her.

What is your favorite moment of the day?

In the morning when I read the newspaper in the living room sofa, drinking my cappuccino and eating my toast.

Favorite bus route in Reykjavik and why?

I rarely take the bus …but occasionally I go with my sons for the fun of it and then the route itself doesn’t really matter only the company.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

A doctor.

Describe your own style?

Simple but with a twist.

What kind of clothes do you avoid wearing?

Track suit.

Describe your work?

Playful and functional, I like to try to reawake the child inside us.

How is your work influenced by where you live?

When it comes to themes, I’m influenced by our cultural/national heritage. I try to take these themes into a direction not used before.

Where do you go in Iceland when you want to feel inspired?

I don´t really have a place for that. I just get inspired by the little everyday things that happen or appear. I use the previous experience, from today or my childhood and find a way to make it into a useful design object.

Where do you work on your design?

All over my house but hopefully my studio will become ready soon.

When you are designing, do you discuss what you are designing with other designers?

Yes I do and also what they are working on.

In which way do you think design is important for Iceland?

I think all people, from Iceland or not, have the need for their senses to be stimulated.

How would you describe Iceland in few sentences?

I find many similarities between the Icelandic nature and the people. They are extreme, have great energy, can seem cold on the outside but are actually really warm on the inside.

What do you think is most beautiful place in Iceland?

Snaefellsnes

What frightens you most regarding the future?

That humans will not learn from their mistakes.