Erik Nielsen
Erik Nielsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1926 (age 98) |
| Education | Lockeys Reklamebureau |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1948– |
Erik Hellum Nielsen (born March 1926) is a Danish graphic designer and painter.
In 1959 Nielsen was offered a permanent position at the LEGO Group, as the growing company needed a full-time artist. Though Nielsen enjoyed working as a freelance artist, he accepted the offer and moved with his family from Århus to Billund. Living in Billund did not work for his family, however, and in 1962 he resigned and moved back to Århus. Nielsen later recalled that Godtfred Kirk Christiansen told him "either you're a Lego man, or you're not a Lego man" in response to his resignation.[1][2]
In 2016 Århus Stiftstidende published an article celebrating his 90th birthday. The article claims that Nielsen had helped create the LEGO logo; Nielsen said that he worked "in squares".[1] The article showed an image of him pointing to the 1973 LEGO logo design; however, that version of the logo is usually credited to Rolf Lagersson (and sometimes Niels Hartmann as well). (It may be referring to the square version of the logo used with the five-coloured flag during the 60s, which Lagersson's version was based on.)[speculation]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lilmoes, Søren Ploug (17 April 2016). "90 år: Erik foretrak friheden frem for Lego" [90 years old: Erik preferred freedom rather than Lego]. Århus Stiftstidende (in dansk). Århus: JFM. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ↑ Gyllan, Peter (2018). "Erik Nielsen Design Studio". Danish Logo Preservation Society. Archived from the original on 2018-02-21.
- ↑ Bernsen, Jens; Capetillo, Birgitta, eds. (1988). Profession: Designer. Copenhagen: Dansk Design Center. pp. 126–127. ISBN 87-87385-40-6.
