Swedish illustrator / illustratör Nils-Petter Ekwall was commissioned by Stockholm-based creative agency Torino to create editorial illustrations for Polistidningen — the official magazine of the Swedish Police — for an article highlighting the everyday struggles of patrol officers dealing with new (and according to some police officers often faulty) equipment.
Through a mix of humor, intricate detail, and narrative clarity, the illustrations explore themes such as equipment limitations, tech frustration, and everyday problem-solving in law enforcement.
Knowing that police officers can be keen observers of detail, Nils-Petter wanted to focus on creating a sense of recognition for the readers – capturing subtle visual cues and small signs that resonate with those familiar with the profession. To ensure authenticity and recognition, Nils-Petter was granted access to the Police Force’s internal photos to study equipment, uniforms, and vehicles.
Client: Swedish Police / Polisförbundet
Graphic design: Ali Moosavian, Torino
The opening illustration featuring a Volvo XC60. This police car has drawn criticism from many officers for its limited interior space, making it difficult to pack essential police gear such as riot helmets, bags, seized items, and even the police trainee (depicted as a scaled-down police figure). In the illustration, confiscated evidence like a moonshine still, marijuana plants, and a detained robbery suspect are all somehow meant to fit inside the cramped vehicle.
In addition, the in-car computer system, Titan, has become a frequent source of frustration. Officers report that it overheats easily, suffers from glitches and lag (“ant wars”), and often misguides patrols down narrow bike lanes or dead-end streets blocked by barriers and concrete bollards — as also depicted in the image.
Police officers have also expressed concerns over the underwhelming sound of the sirens on the new police cars, describing them as too soft or 'wimpy' for emergency situations.
Initial concept sketches exploring different conceptual ideas for the secondary illustrations. These rough, hand-drawn sketches capture the creative brainstorming phase, where multiple possibilities are tested to find the strongest storytelling approach.
Note first sketch depicts a police dog – a German Shepherd in the mirror instead of the police officer as seen in the finished piece.
Alongside the conceptual sketches is a digital sketch created directly in Adobe Illustrator, demonstrating idea, composition and colours for the main illustration. Here, the client felt the villain was a bit too stereotypical with the tattoos, so Nils-Petter went for a more neutral and generic figure.
With a warm-hearted, approachable style and a keen eye for detail, Nils-Petter delivers authentic illustrations that engage readers and bring editorial content to life — making his work ideal for publications, magazines, and clients seeking to communicate complex social or institutional topics through illustration.
The finished magazine spread showing the opening illustration together with the clean typography by Ali Moosavian at Torino.
The finished magazine spread showing the secondary illustration together with typography by Ali Moosavian at Torino.
The finished magazine spread featuring the third illustration with Ali Moosavian's splendid typography.
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Den svenska illustratören Nils-Petter Ekwall har på uppdrag av den Stockholmsbaserade reklambyrån Torino skapat redaktionella illustrationer för Polistidningen — den officiella tidningen för Svenska Polisförbundet. Illustrationen lyfter fram vardagsutmaningarna för patrullerande poliser som arbetar med ny, ofta felaktig utrustning.
Med en blandning av humor, detaljerad precision och berättarklarhet fångar illustrationerna teman som begränsningar i utrustning, tekniska frustrationer och problemlösning i polisens vardag. Med vetskap om polisers skarpa iakttagelseförmåga har Nils-Petter fokuserat på igenkänning genom subtila visuella detaljer som tilltalar yrkesverksamma inom polisen. För att säkerställa autenticitet har han fått tillgång till polisens interna bilder på utrustning, uniformer och fordon.
Huvudillustrationen visar en Volvo XC60 — en polisbil som kritiserats för sitt trånga utrymme där viktig utrustning, beslagtagna föremål och till och med en aspirant (avbildad som en mindre figur) ska få plats. Illustrationerna inkluderar även detaljer som en beslagtagen hembränningsapparat, marijuana och en gripen rånare, som alla ska få plats i det begränsade utrymmet.
Nils-Petters varmhjärtade och detaljrika stil skapar autentiska bilder som engagerar läsaren och lyfter redaktionellt innehåll — perfekt för publikationer, tidningar och uppdragsgivare som vill kommunicera komplexa sociala eller institutionella ämnen med illustration.
