Swedish designer Clara von Zweigbergk’s work is characterised by simplicity, balance and an exceptionally good grasp of colour. Von Zweigbergk has reinterpreted the classic games of Chess, Backgammon & Yatzy in fresh colours and appealing graphics, giving a fun new look to the traditional designs.
We visited Clara in her Stockholm studio to learn about her fascination with games.
What is your history with classic games?
Clara von Zweigbergk: I collect them! When I go into a secondhand shop, I usually look for board games.
What is interesting, from a design standpoint, about these games?
Clara von Zweigbergk: Games are interesting because they consist of classic graphic design, packaging design, and additionally have these small items inside. There is a lot to work with. So I was very excited when I was briefed by Mette Hay to reimagine something with yahtzy, backgammon, and chess.
How do you hope people will use HAY Play?
Clara von Zweigbergk: My hope is that these games will stay in people’s living rooms, inspiring people to pick them up and play with them. I hope they will not be stored away in some cupboard.
I also hope that games in general will have a comeback! I think they are about to have one.
Clara von Zweigbergk is a graphic designer and art director from Stockholm, Sweden. She studied at the Beckmans School of Design, Stockholm, and at Art Centre College of Design, Pasadena, USA. She has a breadth of experience in working within both advertising agencies and multidisciplinary design studios. After a period working in Milan, she returned to Sweden to set up her own design studio.
Her work has received international recognition, and she has won a number of design awards. Zweigbergk’s work is characterised by simplicity, balance and an exceptionally good grasp of colour. For HAY, she has created Kaleido, Playing Cards, Ellipse Tray, Pocket Mirror, Paper Paper Bin, Measure, Iris Collection and HAY Play.
