Fredrik Paulsen

Fredrik Paulsen 1980

Fredrik Paulsen was born in 1980 in Vejbystrand on the west coast of Skåne. He lives and works in Stockholm, where he has been running his studio in Örnsberg for over a decade. His path into design began with furniture carpentry studies at a folk high school in Grebbestad. He later earned a bachelor’s degree from Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm and a master’s degree in design from the Royal College of Art in London. Since then, he has worked with furniture, objects, interiors, and exhibitions—often independently and with a clear connection to craftsmanship. His work moves between unique one-off pieces and systematic series, and he builds many of his objects by hand in his studio.

Designer with roots in craft and subculture

Fredrik Paulsen’s work is characterized by a clear construction logic and thoughtful material choices. His objects are often made of visible components: screws, joints, structural profiles, and simple shapes. Color is used to create structure, not for decoration. The colorful aesthetic has become a signature, but always with function in focus. He frequently works with materials such as anodized aluminum, plexiglass, colored MDF, and plastic components. By using industrial materials consciously, he creates furniture that challenges the traditional Scandinavian design language. Many objects are made in small series, others as one-of-a-kind pieces. In both cases, the production process is central and visible in the final result. Paulsen often references music and club culture, which influences both his visual language and presentation.

Joy Objects, projects, and exhibitions

In 2022, Fredrik Paulsen founded the furniture brand Joy Objects together with colleagues. The collection is based on a profile system in extruded aluminum, manufactured in Småland from recycled materials. The furniture is flat-packed, easy to assemble, and built to last. Joy Objects combines industrial methods with a strong visual identity and is designed for everyday use. Joy Objects also serves as a platform connecting design with culture. The project brings together individuals interested in both design and subcultural expressions. It is a context in which furniture functions as a shared language, not merely functional objects.

During Stockholm Design Week 2024, Paulsen presented the project Foundation of Joy at Bukowskis. He produced 33 unique objects in 33 days, all based on Joy Objects profiles. The pieces were combined with materials such as LED lights, glass, tree branches, plastic bands, and painted surfaces. The project demonstrates how the same system can be adapted to different expressions and contexts.

Alongside his work with Joy Objects, Paulsen has completed several public and commercial commissions. He has designed interiors for bars and restaurants in Sweden and internationally. During Nobel Week 2020, he created an open pavilion for the Nobel Prize Museum at Sergels torg. He also contributed to the transformation of a former church into a brewery in Sundbyberg. His work has been exhibited at institutions including the Röhsska Museum, Etage Projects in Copenhagen, and Bukowskis in Stockholm. He has also participated in international exhibitions such as The Plinth Project and Progetto Palazzo.

Awards and recognition

In 2024, Fredrik Paulsen was awarded the Bruno Mathsson Prize, the largest design award in the Nordics. The prize is given to designers who develop contemporary design in an independent way. In Paulsen’s case, his artisanal foundation, choice of materials, and the way he incorporates cultural references into furniture production were especially highlighted.