Pictograms, Honest Logos and Design by Viktor Hertz

Viktor Hertz

Today we had an interview with Viktor Hertz, who is a famous for his project “Honest logos”. Viktor Hertz is a 28-year old guy from Uppsala, Sweden. He’s currently doing bits of this and that, but mostly freelance stuff in graphic design, although most of his projects are purely personal. He enjoys making posters and digital illustrations, listening to music and watching films. And have a beer or two, with friends. It’s been a great pleasure for us to take an interview with Viktor Hertz and learn some interesting facts of his biography. Enjoy reading amazing success story of a talented logo designer.

Table of Contents

The First Attempts in Design

AP: Hey Viktor, thank you so much for finding the time to give us an interview. So let’s get started. Your first attempts in design? What did they look like?

Viktor: Actually, my first attempts in graphic design, were remaking well-known logos, very much like my project “Honest logos”, but less sharp and well planned. This was just about three years ago or so, and I wanted to do something stupid and funny, and learn the software at the same time. I have always been a fan of adbusting and remixes of different stuff.

AP: What genre are your art-works?

Viktor: I guess my genres would be minimalist and adbusting, if I were to choose two. I don’t really think about what genre I work in, it’s just a result of not being very talented at drawing and being fond of simple and clean graphic design. Though, I never limit myself to a certain style or genre, I’m open to try new things, of course. At the moment, it just happens to be lots of pictograms, I guess they suit my ideas about being as simple as possible. I like the fact that they are meant to be universal, as well. That should be a good thing, when it comes to visual communication, right?

AP: How would you describe your works? What is the idea you are trying to share with people?

Viktor: I just want to make stuff that people find amusing and/or thought provoking, I don’t want to be far-fetched and hard to get. I want to do images that last for a second, or even a third, look, without getting boring. I try to be as clever and witty as possible, with a strong idea behind it. Colors, fonts and a cool look are secondary to me, but I want the image to tickle both the heart and the brain of the spectator. If my works make people smile, my goal is reached.

AP: Why did you decide to make your logos sarcastic?

Viktor: Humor is something I always try to include in my work, and satire is something I’ve always been a fan of, too. My “Honest logos” take an aim at big and well-known companies, with a tongue-in-cheek approach. They are meant to be taken lightly, although they do contain some serious criticism behind the funny surface. But it’s not an attack at them; I use many of these companies’ products and services, so I guess I’m somewhat of a hypocrite…

Equipment and Techniques

AP: What kind of equipment and techniques do you use to create your pictures?

Viktor: I almost do everything in Adobe Illustrator, even my early sketches. I suck at drawing, so there’s really no use in doing hand written drafts. I save time doing them directly in the computer. I steal most of my objects too, pictograms and free vectors, and then I remix them and make something new from it.

AP: Would you consider yourself as an expert in design?

Viktor: Hell, no! I’m still learning this. I would consider myself a newbie on graphic design. It depends on what it means exactly, to become a ‘professional’. Maybe I’m already a professional at making pictogram posters? When does one become a pro at something? I’m very interested in being able to live on my designs, though, but that’s a different question.

Success Formula in Graphic Design

AP: What is the formula for success in your activity?

Viktor: Thanks for the compliment! If I have any advice for a formula, it would be to just make stuff for yourself. If you like it and find it amusing or attractive, there should be someone else out there that do, too. I participate in contests every now and then, and I have won a few, which is a great feeling. That’s one of the best receipts you can get, of having done something right, although comments and e-mails from strangers are just as good, if not better. I have an exhibition this Friday in Gothenburg, actually. It will be my second opening; I had one in Stockholm a couple of weeks ago. I’m very excited about it. It will be great seeing my posters on physical walls again. Although, it’s a bit scary, too… I have a few other personal projects going on, as well, that I hope to be able to publish soon.

AP: Is there someone who supports you in your creativity?

Viktor: I come from a very generous and encouraging family, which I think has given me a good start and a good self-confidence, in just about anything I do. Having said that, I still have times of doubt, of course, like everybody else. The essential part of my creativity, hmm. I look at lots of images and shapes, and think a lot about what I could do with them. Usually, I sit up at night (way too long for my own best), listening to music in my headphones and play around in Illustrator. That’s what I enjoy most, really. I will never get a regular 9-to-5 job…

AP: Would you like to wish something to AstrumPeople?:)

Viktor: Thanks for reading this long! I hope I didn’t bore anyone to death.