Uttryck Magazine

Nils-Petter Ekwall was commissioned to create editorial illustrations for UTTRYCK, the member magazine of The Swedish Teacher’s Union (Lärarförbundet). The assignment included a cover illustration and several inlays for an article focusing on collaboration and cooperation in schools.
Through his characteristic illustrative style—combining structure, warmth, and visual storytelling—Nils-Petter helped communicate the theme in an accessible and engaging way for educators and readers. The illustrations were developed in close collaboration with art director and graphic designer John Losciale.
This project demonstrates how tailored illustration can support communication in member-driven publications, educational contexts, and professional organizations.
Illustration: Nils-Petter Ekwall
Graphic Design: John Losciale 
Client: The Swedish Teacher’s Union (Lärarförbundet)

cover illustration Teachers rolling a school building forward on wooden logs – conceptual editorial illustration symbolizing collaboration in education. by Swedish illustrator Nils-Petter Ekwall
Cover illustration in its full glory. Depicting  teachers physically moving a school building together – a warm, metaphorical take on teamwork and progress in education. A conceptual image for editorial use in magazines and communication within the public sector.
Surreal illustration with classroom scenes with teachers of different sizes collaborating in various imaginative ways. by Nils-Petter Ekwall

1st double-page spread.  Filled with imaginative, narrative scenes of school staff working together. Editorial illustration created to add emotional depth, storytelling, and personality to a feature article about cooperation in schools.

illustration of School building surrounded by small scenes illustrating creativity, teamwork, and community in school environments
Editorial illustration showing a central school surrounded by vignettes of creative teamwork. Commissioned to express warmth, energy, and visual storytelling for educational publishing. Illustration by Nils-Petter Ekwall. 
Editorial illustration of Two teachers moving separately – one rolling a boat and the other a piano – symbolizing lack of collaboration in schools.

A metaphorical image of two teachers working in isolation instead of together – created to visually contrast the benefits of teamwork. Conceptual illustration with a touch of humor and warmth. Illustrated by Nils-Petter Ekwall.

Printed magazine cover featuring illustrated teachers rolling a school on logs, combined with graphic layout.
The final printed cover combining custom illustration and John Losciales lovely graphic design. A strong example of how illustration can elevate storytelling and identity in editorial design. Illustration by Nils-Petter Ekwall. 
Zoomed-in photo of printed magazine spread showing imaginative classroom collaboration.
Printed editorial spread, close-up. The hand-drawn warmth and storytelling details bring personality and visual structure to the layout.
Final print layout with colorful, story-driven illustration supporting an article about creativity and cooperation in education. A showcase of editorial art bringing abstract concepts to life.

The colorful printed spread showing the school and its buzzing world of teamwork — a great example of illustration adding energy to editorial stories.


These are examples of early sketches from the project, showing the initial ideas and composition explorations before the final illustration took shape. They highlight the creative process behind bringing the story to life.
Sketch draft of editorial cover illustration by illustrator Nils-Petter Ekwall
Nils-Petter Ekwalls Early sketch exploring narrative layout and character placement for editorial feature illustration.
Nils-Petters Pencil sketch of 2nd spread illustration school building surrounded by imaginative collaboration scenes.
Nils-Petters Conceptual sketch of a contrasting scene on failed collaboration – a narrative approach often used in editorial assignments.

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