In pursuit
of the graphically simple.
After sparking an interest in product design when studying graphics, print, and typography, Jonas Wagell developed a visual language that’s at once simplistic and vividly expressive. The Stockholm native’s greatest hits—such as the curvy Julep sofa for Tacchini, best-selling JWDA lamps for Audo Copenhagen, and the newly launched Panorama modular sofa for Wendelbo—all feature soft, friendly shapes that appeal to modern sensibilities while eschewing fads and trends.
By Ryan Waddoups
Surface Magazine, Oct 2020
Jonas Wagell is a Swedish architect and designer and graduate from Konstfack in Stockholm in 2007. Shortly after graduation Wagell was recognized by Wallpaper* Magazine and named “one of the world’s hottest young architects” in 2008.
Despite an undivided passion for architecture and interiors, the studio’s work today is focused on product and furniture design with a number of best-sellers primarily within soft seating and lighting.
Jonas Wagell has a background in graphic design and communication, which has informed a visual language with simple, but recognisable shapes and forms. The studio JWDA is based in central Stockholm and currently located in a converted car repair shop, while collaborations span from Scandinavia to Italy, United Kingdom, Asia and North America.
The Swedish native’s design has been described as minimal with soft and friendly shapes. At an early age Jonas was introduced to design through an interest in graphics, print and typography and perhaps this has influenced today’s work with simplistic and clear, but expressive design language.
Today the studio’s design collaborations include Danish companies such as Audo Copenhagen, Normann Copenhagen, Paper Collective and most recently Wendelbo, but also Tacchini in Italy, Ercol and Allermuir in United Kingdom, Design Within Reach in North America and Ago Lighting in South Korea, to name a few.
Jonas Wagell is trained in graphics, marketing and communication, furniture design and interior architecture at schools including Konstfack University College of Arts and Crafts and Berghs School of Communication in Stockholm, as well as Parsons School of Design in New York City. Wagell has a former career in strategic project management and communication.
Although the studio’s focus today is primarily on design rather than architecture, the passion remains multi-disciplinary and the approach diverse – from furniture and lighting to tableware and consumer accessories – as well as the occasional artwork.
Words by Rachel Morgan for Audo Copenhagen
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