Annika Huett

Annika's illustrations are filled with references to her native Scandinavia, and her projects range from maps and cityscapes to portraits and wallpaper designs. The through line is a lush, colorful style and an approach that feels simultaneously thoughtful and bold. We visited her Stockholm studio for a catch up...

1. How did you fall in love with art and illustration? Did you have any major inspirations?

My mother read me storybooks, for example Astrid Lindgren and Moomin. I looked at these pictures a lot and started making my own little books early on, I drew and I wrote. "You can become a children's book illustrator,” my mum said. In highschool I was lucky to have a fantastic art teacher, an artist herself. I have her to thank for supporting my artistic vision.

2. How did you make the transition from artist/art lover, to professional illustrator?

I applied to art schools, and after school I started freelancing as an illustrator. I said I'd try it out for some months, and it turned into a whole career.

3. What advice do you give to new illustrators who are trying to navigate the industry?

I think it's good to have a clear, recognizable, personal style. Take every assignment you get, even for free, and always do your thing.

4. How does Sweden inspire you? Did you grow up there? You also seem to spend a good amount of time in Japan, what about Japan inspires you?

Yes, I grew up in the very north of Sweden. However, I have always spent my summers in southernmost of Sweden, on the island of Öland. These two extremes of Sweden have influenced me and my artistic vision. As a professional, I live in Stockholm.

Yes, Japan inspires me, but it´s mostly about Sweden when I´m there and when I work with them. They love the Scandinavian style. I hope to work more with Japanese motifs in the future. Maybe a mix.

5. What does a typical work day look like for you?

I cycle every morning to Lilla Lokalen at Södermalm, a studio which I share with a few other designers and illustrators. I work, mostly in front of the computer all day but I am never idle, I push myself quite hard, to do new work, even when I don’t have a particular assignment. On weekends I like to be at home and paint.

6. Are there specific types of spaces you love working in outside of your studio?

I paint in the attic floor of our house, listen to music and am in my own world. In the summer at our country home, I often paint outdoors. If I'm in the idea stage, I can sketch well when I'm traveling, for example on a train.

7. What are the most important things for you to have in your artistic space?

My paints, gouache or acrylic, papers and canvases. I can actually paint anywhere, in a hotel room or in a café. And I draw all the time.


8. Your maps are so bold and playful. How did you get into map illustrations? Is there something that attracts you to topography? What other subjects do you enjoy illustrating? 

It was a coincidence that I got a map assignment. I worked early on for the Swedish Systembolaget. They needed maps of their various wineries from all over the world. I can't say what I enjoy illustrating most, I get started on most things, usually get an idea quickly, and almost always find it fun.

9. What have been your favorite mediums to work with lately?

I am sketching a new children's book for the Japanese market, the 2nd book about little Annika, which I hope Fukuinkan Shoten JP will publish. I am developing new patterns for towels that I will have printed and sold at my summer gallery Landet Huett on Öland. And just today I have been working on a portrait of a famous playwright.

10. Are there any other artists, or any other visual, music, dance, theatre, or film art that have been inspiring you lately?

I look back, still inspired by Matisse, Braque, Picasso and other modernist artists. I can almost always find inspiration there. On the contrary I listen to new music, and my biggest inspiration comes from things I see every day: a beautiful tree, the light, a nice outfit…

11. What have been your favorite collaborations?

Recently, my Japanese children's book "Annika goes Mushroom picking" has been my most enjoyable assignment. It's been fun working with Operation Smile and with Valentino. I made collage-like portraits of different icons like Lagerfeld for Elle Magazine some years ago, really fun assignment. And all the maps I've made for Chase Bank and Traveler.  I love repeat customers!

12. What is your dream collaboration?

I've always wanted to illustrate stamps. Now there are hardly stamps anymore, but it’s still something I would love to do.


13. Is there anything about your work that you wish people knew, or understood better?

I do everything by hand, with a brush on paper, quite sloppy, then I fix my illustrations in Photoshop. I paint every day even when I don't have an assignment. That's just me, it never diminishes.


14. What have you been the most curious about lately?

Japan and my collaboration there. I'm going back again in May.  I'm also going to learn screen printing.


15. Thank you for your answers! Any final words you'd like to add?

Working as an artist is a lifestyle, at least for me it has become that way.