Helén Skågeby

Curriculum Vitae

Freelance Senior Art Director – IKEA Marketing & Communication (Älmhult)

• Feb 2022 – Present (Freelance)

• Dec 2010 – Feb 2013 (Employed)

I create communication for IKEA on a global scale. I’m involved from the early strategic and creative stages — from ideation and planning to final execution — across 3D production, studio shoots, and location work. I hold overall planning responsibility for what is to be produced and lead cross-functional teams including interior designers, 3D artists, photographers, and retouchers. In parallel, I manage ongoing updates to the IKEA website, with a focus on the Living Room and Business areas. I thrive in a structured and fast-paced environment, driving multiple projects forward simultaneously while ensuring high quality and brand alignment.

Owner/Freelance Senior Art Director - NOOK Design

• Jan 2022 – Present 

Between other roles, I take on assignments through my own company. Working with a range of clients on branding, graphic design, and visual communication projects.

Freelance Senior Art Director – Stadium Exclusive Brands (Everest & SOC) (Norrköping)

• Aug 2025 – Sep 2025 (Freelance)

• Mars 2023 – May 2023 (Freelance)

As Senior Art Director for Stadium’s exclusive brands Everest and SOC, I developed creative concepts and mood boards for upcoming photo shoots, ensuring alignment with brand identity and design direction. I planned and defined visual concepts for each project, executing both still and moving content in close collaboration with photographers, models, make-up artists, and the Social Media team — from initial brief to final delivery. I also contributed to the evolution of Stadium’s own brand platforms, updated websites, and produced a wide range of campaign materials.

Event planner/Marketing Manager/Art Director - Lejonfastigheter (Linköping)

• Jan 2017 – Jan 2022 (Employed)

Lejonfastigheter is a municipal property company that owns and manages buildings for the municipality’s public services. At Lejonfastigheter, I worked as the Design Manager and Event Planner for all marketing and communication efforts. The projects varied from concept development, campaigns, and films to extensive photography, as well as content delivery for the website and social media.

I also worked on planning and organizing events and ordered advertising materials from external advertising agencies. As Project Lead for Vallastaden, a major exhibition, I developed the overall concept and managed the entire project from start to finish, overseeing all phases from planning and design to execution and final delivery.

Art Director - Ekermann Advertising agency (Linköping)

• May 2013 – Jan 2017 (Employed)

Lejonfastigheter is a municipal property company that owns and manages buildings for the municipality’s public services. At Lejonfastigheter, I worked as the Design Manager and Event Planner for all marketing and communication efforts. The projects varied from concept development, campaigns, and films to extensive photography, as well as content delivery for the website and social media.

I also worked on planning and organizing events and ordered advertising materials from external advertising agencies. As Project Lead for Vallastaden, a major exhibition, I developed the overall concept and managed the entire project from start to finish, overseeing all phases from planning and design to execution and final delivery.

Freelance Senior Art Director – IKEA Marketing & Communication (Älmhult)

• Dec 2010 – Feb 2013 (Employed)

Art Director - Lantmännen Lantbruk (Malmö)

• Oct 2008 – Dec 2010 (Employed)

Lantmännen Lantbruk is one of the largest groups in the Nordic region within food, energy, and agriculture. Lantmännen owns brands such as Axa, Kungsörnen, Start, Hattings, and Kronfågel. At Lantmännen Lantbruk, I mainly worked on new product launches, from ideation to production for both print and web. This included designing advertisements, trade fair materials, and product packaging. I was also responsible for procurement and design direction for external photographers. Additionally, I played a key role in further developing the design of Gårdsmagasinet, Lantmännen Lantbruk’s monthly magazine. I contributed to creating a new tone of voice and image campaigns for the brand.

Art Director - Egmont (Malmö)

• Aug 2008 – Oct 2008 (Freelance)

I worked as a freelance designer, focusing on layout design for Julia, a magazine aimed at teenage girls, as well as Goal, a football magazine.

Art Director - Fleur de Santé (Malmö)

• Jan 2008 – Jul 2008 (Freelance)

Fleur de Santé is a Scandinavian beauty company that sells cosmetics, skincare, health products, and exclusive lingerie directly to consumers via mail order and direct sales. My work primarily focused on new product launches and concept solutions, with budget responsibility and sales targets. I also worked on direct mail, catalog production, mail order, and advertisement creation for Sweden, including inserts for women’s magazines such as Laura, Må Bra, etc.

Art Director - Oriflame (Malmö & Stockholm)

• July 2008 – Aug 2010 (Employed)

• Jan 2006 – Dec 2007 (Employed)

Oriflame is a global beauty company selling natural, high-quality skincare and cosmetics in 59 countries. I was responsible for the layout and design of international product catalogs, leading a team of designers, copywriters, and editors. My work included budgeting, coordinating photo shoots, and aligning creative output with sales targets.

Each catalog started with a brief that I developed into concept sketches, which I presented to 7 markets. Adapting designs to diverse market needs was a key challenge and honed my ability to pitch and defend creative solutions. I also created layouts for new product launches.

Education:
Masters of Media - E-Learningdesign (Malmö)

• Jan 2004 – Dec 2006 (Freelance)

A print and web-based, e-learning program with strong ties to the media industry, focused on real-world client projects. The fast-paced curriculum encouraged ambition, allowing me to take on more demanding clients from concept to final production. Projects included print, web, and some video work.

The education covered industry-standard tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, iMovie, and Director. The program also included two 3-month internships, one at an advertising agency and the other at Oriflame, where I was later offered a full-time position, providing valuable hands-on experience and professional development.