Carl Kleiner

Carl Kleiner is a designer, photographer and illustrator. He is most known for Hembakat är Bäst, the cookbook he created for IKEA, conceived for Sweden but then popular all over the world.
Today he is considered one of the most versatile creative minds in the world. His photography is graphic and experimental and his neat passion for perfection is unmistakable. Let’s meet Carl Kleiner and his pure visionary talent.

Hi Carl. Please, tell us something about you and your background.
My name is Carl Kleiner. I’m the father of 2 children. I was born, raised and based in Sweden. Hello.

Where does your passion for geometrical figures come from?
I’m not really sure to be honest. It is just a theme so satisfying to work with and think about. The more I work with geometry the more interesting it gets. It is an unlimited source of inspiration.

So, geometry is one of your main sources of inspiration. What are the others?
Actually, everything is a source of inspiration for me.

Is there a fil rouge that links all your works?
It is not something I have thought about. Maybe geometry?

Why did you decide to develop a project about sex?
When my wife´s younger sister was doing a school project about sex, Evelina – my wife and work partner – and I helped her with the image material to her book.

Why did you decide to create the project with fruits and vegetables and what do you want to communicate?
It’s hard to make educational images that have to do with sex without making them feel sexist, decent, rude or just awkward. We thought that making the images the way we did would make them… nice and friendly somehow.

How do you think it’s possible to work for well-known brands without giving up to creativity?
I’m often lucky to collaborate with great clients and creative minds who want to make interesting things. I think most clients prefer to make good images to bad. As long as their message comes out right and the products – if there are any – looks good.

What are your future projects?
There are a few very interesting commissions in the pipeline but unfortunately I cannot mention any name because of these “you-are-not-allowed-to-talk-about-this” documents you have to sign.

One thing I can tell you about is a book project I’m working on. It will be my first book – or books actually – and it is utterly exciting. It will be 6 books in a cassette that summarizes 6 years of my photographic diary. The book will be ready at the end of this year or in the beginning of 2015.

If you could choose a client/brand to work with, which would you pick?
Hermès.