Illustration

Jonna Fransson

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BIOGRAPHY

Jonna Franssons grew up in the Swedish countryside near Falköping, immersed in a creative environment shaped by the 1970s green wave—a counterurbanization movement where families left the city for rural life. Her family moved away from the urban setting even before she and her two older brothers were born. As a child, Jonna frequently visited her grandparents’ home, a place filled with endless discoveries. Her grandfather encouraged her to study the masters of art, and she returned from each visit with a thick art book, igniting her lifelong passion for creativity. After high school, Jonna enrolled in an art course in Paris before continuing her studies at HDK—the School of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg. She further refined her artistic voice by earning a master's degree in storytelling at Konstfack—the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. Her talent has garnered numerous accolades, including a first prize from Swedish Young Design and both silver and gold awards in the "Kolla!" contest hosted by The Association of Swedish Illustrators and Graphic Designers. Jonna also created the graphic look for Way Out West in Gothenburg, one of Sweden’s largest and most prestigious music festivals, marking a significant milestone in her career. Describing her style as 70s-flavoured and realistic, she draws inspiration from classic illustrators like Jane Bark, known for her fashion drawings and short story illustrations in the 60s and 70s. Her creative process is fueled by nature and glamorous influences, such as the film Paris is Burning. Although she prefers working with coloured pencils and pens, Jonna continually strives to inject even more vibrant colors into her work. "For some reason, they still end up looking quite subdued colourwise. A good friend visiting my parents once said that as we drove up the small gravel track to our house, he saw a part of me in all the colours of nature—in the earth, the woods, and the fields. I guess I've been influenced a lot by my childhood," she reflects. Jonna Franssons’ journey—from the serene Swedish countryside to international art and design education—shapes a unique, evocative style that continues to captivate and inspire.