Portfolio for Ekte

In early February 2021, I submitted this online portfolio form to Kim Daniel Arthur, the founder of Ekte—an handcrafted furniture studio from the North of Norway (now Løv Finsnekkeri.) This digital approach was necessitated by the absence of an opportunity to personally deliver the printed cards I had prepared. These cards showcased a wooden table I had crafted, serving as a tangible testament to my skills as a furniture maker when I was applying for a job at Ekte studio.

Now, you might be curious about the fusion of roles—a graphic designer venturing into furniture crafting. The answer is simple: I find joy in engaging with diverse projects, learning new skills, or improving the ones I have gained. Also, I needed an interesting job I could enjoy. : )

Below, you’ll find the very page that captured Kim’s attention a few days after our phone call.

The portfolio for Ekte

Further down, you’ll find my recent furniture project: a coffee table that partially demonstrates my thinking and skills.

The design is inspired by Bjørn Viggo Ottem’s (a graphic designer at Tank, Tromsø) and his BV01 Lounge Chair, created by you, Ekte.

The color of the coffee table isn’t the same as that of the chair, nor is the exact material, as it otherwise wouldn’t fit in our apartment : ) I hope you can see past that. Furthermore, teak wood is quite expensive, and we are keeping our expenses at a minimum, as my partner and I are still not working after moving to Norway. Yet, you might see the design elements speaking the BV01’s language, I think.

After the visual proposal below, you will glimpse some of the work processes that accompanied me through the making of the table.

Lastly, there is my CV at the bottom that will provide you with additional information about me if you’d like to browse through it, along with my final words.

Anyway, that’s pretty much it for now.

Hope you’ll enjoy it.

Jozef

Hei, I am Jozef, who moved to Tromsø from the UK with my partner Méline, as we believe in the same values as Norwegian society does.

Equality, trust, and collaboration, to name but a few. We also believe in the nature we are surrounded by here in Tromsø. Furthermore, we would love to raise our family in such a society and environment.

To find out more about me, just browse the CV. Or even better, get in touch.

Experience

(mainly communication based)

Graphic Designer / Founder

working in a graphic design studio with sustainable businesses,
not-for-profit organisations and charities
https://communicationdesign.studio
2011- present

Project coordinator / Founder

working in a not-for-profit organisation helping people from different
countries to understand each other better
https://ourcultures.org
2016 – present

Interpreter

working with the British National Health Service and local government
in Sheffield as interpreter predominantly with Slovak Roma
https://www.nhs.uk
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk
2013 – 2020

Night shelter worker

working as a volunteer with charity called Assist and with asylum seekers in a
night shelter to stay with them over night and support them whenever needed
https://www.assistsheffield.org.uk
2017 – 2020