Based in Malmo, Sweden, the self-proclaimed “Protectors of fun” bring their Scandinavian sense of style to fun modern day totems inspired by their travels.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to Tropical Scandinavia began?

Since our first date some eight years ago, we've been drawing and sketching together. I (Johanna) studied art and graphic design and worked as a freelancer for some years. Emil is a movie producer, director, and artist with several exhibitions and feature films for cinematic releases in his baggage. Since we met, we've also travelled together every winter, escaping the dark Swedish winter months, going somewhere tropical to surf, draw and recharge. While drawing together and at the same time finding amazing handicrafts during one of those trips - it suddenly hit me - why don't we start a company combining those things? So Tropical Scandinavia was born under the shadow of a palm tree in a moment of clarity. The combination of words reflects our designs (colourful yet with a Scandinavian twist). It also describes our way of life - like migratory birds escaping the cold every winter to go somewhere warm to thrive.

Your positive outlook on life shines through everything you do - how important is it to make design joyful, and what do you think your customers are looking for when they come to your work?

Very important, we think! Joyful but also thoughtful - we want our designs to encourage our customers to reflect on the incredible ability we all have to choose what we focus on every day. I think our customers initially are drawn to our colourful and quirky style - and I think they stay because we also offer something more - a story behind every product that sparks

something within, like the Palm eye design, for example. In that design, the eyes function as a reminder to look inwards and nourish ourselves to stay strong, so we have the power to give to the world around us.

You refer to your pieces as "modern-day totems". Can you tell us a little more about that?

In all times, people have been surrounding themselves with symbols and artefacts to enhance or attract different qualities; luck, fertility, strength, and so on. From early cave paintings to the Greek Mati eye seen above door-posts, every culture seems to have its own set of protective symbols. Traveling around the world, we've seen quite a few - and so the idea grew to make our versions of the phenomena. We wanted our designs to not only repel evil spirits but also to enhance the good that is already within us—protecting the fun, as we like to say! And rather than just being passive artefacts, we like to think of our modern totems as more of an encouragement to grow and be the best versions of ourselves. What we focus on grows - so if we bring objects into our home that make us think of strength, love, and joy - these qualities will increase.

We love that you are partners in life as well as work! As a partnership, how do you work together to bring your personal perspectives into such a cohesive collection?

Good question - to be honest, I've never really thought of it that way; for starters, I think we are very much in sync since we spend a great deal of time together and deeply respect each other. Of course, we have our own drawing ways, but I think they go really well together. Emil is a bit more messy and edgy (in a very positive sense), and I'm a bit more neat andsoft in my style, and I think combining the two makes it a lot more fun.

This year has been a huge challenge for us all! Have you seen this reflected in your work or your design process?

It has indeed, but I think it has also challenged us to think in new ways, and for us, it has made the purpose of our work even more apparent. As we spend more time in our homes, what we surround ourselves with, and how it affects us has become much more critical. Also, in what one may perceive as "dark times," we think it's increasingly important to bring out our inner light and be aware of what energy we are giving to ourselves and the world around us. If we can inspire someone to do so, I think we succeeded.

This year has also made us practically rearrange a couple of events we had planned. For example, when an exhibition we were working on got cancelled, we decided to redo our apartment and hang the whole exhibition in our home and host a live vernissage on Instagram where we talked the viewers through the work. It turned out to be a huge success, and we sold almost all of the paintings - something we might not have done if we had the real exhibition - who knows?

What's next for Tropical Scandinavia in 2021?

We are super excited for next year, especially since our work is beginning to spread around the world - which allows us to connect with people from all over the place, something we miss dearly from our travels.

In March, we are moving into our dream house in the countryside here in the south of Sweden (close to lovely cold water surf!), a super big crazy house from the 30s where we will build a big studio/showroom for Tropical Scandinavia (and maybe a Tropical Scandinavia BnB for the future, who knows!?). We have plans for an exhibition with more big-scale work now that we will have the space to work on that, and we also have some new products (linen cushion covers and hopefully some ceramics!) coming. We're always working on new designs for prints - our idea for 2021 is to even more incorporate our thoughts on subjects as personal growth and meditation, possibly working a bit more with text in the prints. And adding even more bright colours 2021 will be bright and colourful, indeed!

We also have some fun collaborations in the making, but those are secret, so we can't tell you quite yet. And in between that we will save some space for surprises and more fun!

You can find more of Johanna and Emil’s work at tropicalscandinavia.com