Born and raised in northern Europe, designer Patrik Petersson has a minimalistic aesthetic, a respect for the environment, and a hunger for innovation that we can all rally behind.

Petersson's talent for good design was clear from a young age. As a student at UMEA Institute of Design in Sweden, he produced innovative new products such as the Barista, a standalone espresso machine that can make coffee anywhere in your home (to avoid anyone being stuck in the kitchen); a pair of headphones for U.K. designer Paul Smith; and the “Autonomous Tram," an eco-friendly double-decker train that may make its way onto the streets of Stockholm, Sweden in the next decade. Clean, simple, and spacious, the tram can carry 170 passengers, is better for the environment, and has less seats on the street level floor to make it easily accessible for wheelchairs and those with luggage or strollers.

After moving to San Francisco four years ago, Petersson became the lead Industrial Designer at DayLight Design, a San Francisco-based product design firm whose clients include Instagram, Farm Hub, UNICEF, Hyundai, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Bosch to name a few. And while he couldn't disclose the top-secret projects he's currently working on at DayLight, Petersson did tell us that a futuristic new form of travel is in the works.

Fond of the idea that good communication and time off are the basis of a creative process, Petersson is also a talented photographer. 

We sat down with Patrik to talk design, dream projects, and life in San Francisco. 

My signature style is... simple. Growing up in Scandinavia has had a strong influence on my design aesthetic. I strive to keep things minimal. 

I am inspired by...my daughter, travel, and everything that has to do with design.

My dream client is... a company that takes risks and values innovation.

The first project I ever had at Daylight was... designing the packaging for a wearable. It was a really fun project. We made countless prototypes in cardboard before we settled on the final design.

A recent San Francisco find was... a shop on Columbus street called Iron and Resin. It’s a cool little store where biker meets surfer. I’m a fan of motorcycles and it reminds me of one of my favorite store in Venice Beach, called Deus Ex Machina.

My last amazing meal was... at Ippuku in Berkeley. Really good Izakaya food in an industrial space. Inside they have cozy tatami booths. 

Favorite weekend getaway… Sonoma. I love nature, good food, and good wine.

An indulgence I would never give up is... coffee. I always have coffee in the morning, it gets me through the day. It’s a ritual, a way for me to relax and refocus. I keep a list of new coffee shops to visit on my iPhone. One of the first things I do when traveling is to find the best coffee shop in town. 

On my studio play list is… Went to War by Amason and Teenager by Black Honey.

The key to building a good product is... to have a good understanding of the users and what their needs are.

The best way to get new ideas is to... break away from the routine. Change where you sit, break patterns, and take lots of breaks. Many of my ideas come when I least expect it.

If I could choose only one material to work with... I would use wood. Wood is a beautiful material which can take many forms. It will last a lifetime and best of all, it’s eco-friendly.

Design is... a way of life.