Nordgen T-shirt Print – Genetic diversity

Illustration commission

NordGen, the Nordic Genetic Resource Center, commissioned me to create two illustrations for screen-printed T-shirts and tote bags. Each design was made in both black and white and in color.

This assignment presented an intriguing challenge. NordGen wanted the illustrations to represent all aspects of their work: Animals, Forests, Plants, and the Genebank, all within a cohesive image.
They provided a detailed list of species to include, meaning it was not simply a generic “sheep” or “tree,” but rather the specific Nordic breeds and plant species connected to their conservation efforts.

The challenge was to combine many detailed elements like livestock, insects, flowers, grains, trees, and the text “Genetic Diversity Forever”. While still creating a design that felt harmonious, balanced, and was a design someone would genuinely want to wear.

The colored versions added another layer of complexity since I could use only four print colors. I didn’t want the colors to look compromised, but instead like a deliberate design choice.
The black and white versions also needed to work both in regular print and with inverted colors for printing on black fabric.

Finding the right composition, color balance, and level of detail became a true exercise in visual problem solving. My goal was to make the illustrations tell NordGen’s story of biodiversity and preservation in a way that felt vibrant, modern, and easy to love.

NordGen, the Nordic Genetic Resource Center, is a shared Nordic organization that works to preserve and promote the sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture and forestry.
Their mission includes protecting the genetic diversity of plants, animals, and forests across the Nordic region, ensuring these resources remain resilient for future generations.

NordGen also manages the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often called the world’s backup for plant diversity.

Nordgen.org