A "tribute to a friend" is how designer Johan Andersson affectionately refers to his latest project, a documentary film featuring the work and life of Swedish design icon Olle Eksell. Andersson was 22 years old when he moved to Stockholm to study advertising at the Berghs School of Communication. Young, fearless, and clearly impressionable, Andersson looked up his "great hero" Olle Eksell and phoned the acclaimed designer the same day. To his surprise, Eksell graciously invited him over for coffee and the two exchanged thoughts on advertising, design, and life—an exchange that, until Eksell’s death in 2007, would become a routine occurrence.

In collaboration with the Eksell family, Andersson built a website in Olle’s honor, featuring photos, illustrations, and movies, as well as an online shop, where he sells a collection of products that he designed and produced in Eksell’s name. But it’s his documentary film work (see the trailer, above) that Andersson hopes will generate an international buzz around the designer’s extraordinary life and work. The film, currently in its fundraising phase, plans to highlight Eksell’s contributions to Swedish design, while examining his compelling life with wife Ruthel Eksell. “The focus is to continue to spread the mission of Olle Eksell and his beliefs,” explains Andersson. “For me, meeting with Olle was a life-changing experience and I want people to share his ideas about good design and economy.”

To learn more about the film, or back this project, please visit Andersson’s Olle Eksell fundraising page.