Are Kleivan is an independent graphic designer and advisor with over 25 years of experience in brand development, communication design, and identity design across various industries and disciplines. His expertise is particularly focused on design for social venues, cultural destinations and events – including museums, exhibitions, galleries, festivals, and the hospitality sector.

Some of the showcased work was completed during tenures at other agencies, either independently or as part of a team.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or inquiries.

  • CONTACT:
    E-mail

    VISIT
    Møllergata 39,
    0179 Oslo

    PHONE:
    +47 416 02 811

    PREVIOUS POSITIONS:
    2022–23: Head of Design, Levende By AS
    2010-21: Founding partner and designer, Metric Design
    2001–2010: Self employed designer with various positions.

    EXPERTISE:
    Graphic design, visual identity design, design strategy, concept development, wayfinding and signage, exhibition design, naming, environmental design, packaging design, motion graphics

    PAST AND PRESENT CLIENTS INCLUDE:
    Fotohuset Deich, Fotografiska, Nasjonalmuseet, Fotofestivalen Oslo Negativ, Preus Museum, Norges Bank, Møllergruppen, Aars, Ferd, Hurtigruten, NRK, Øyafestivalen, Oro Eiendom, Oslo Business Region, Der Peppern Gror, Lava, Oslo Innovation Week, Trøbbelskyter, Levende By, Fursetgruppen, Aschehoug Forlag, Forlaget Press, Cappelen Damm, Forlaget Oktober, Statoil, Hydro, Cultura Bank, Coca Cola, Universal Music, Sony Music, Monster, Feelgood Film og Scene, Playroom, TV 2, Discovery Channel ++

    AWARDS INCLUDE:
    European Design Awards, Pentawards, Merket for God Design, Dogamerket, Visuelt, Retailprisen, Årets vakreste bøker.

    EDUCATION:
    Master of Design from The National Academy of Art and Design, Oslo (KHIO) – 1996–2001

    TEACHING AND LECTURES:
    KHIO, KHIB, AHO, Grafill, Westerdals ACT, Høyskolen Kristiania, Oslo Met, Norges Kreative Fagskole, Edvard Munch VGS, Elvebakken VGS, Grafill, Norsk Designråd, DOGA, Design Athens ++

2024
Client: Møller Eiendom

Name, visual identity, signage and digital design for Deich House of Photography. Ongoing project.

The former main library in Oslo, Deichmanske Bibliotek, is currently undergoing a transformation into a center for photography. Deich House of Photography will open i 2027. Stay tuned.

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2017 – 2021

Visual identity for the National Museum of Art Design and Architecture in Oslo.

Norway's premier public archive of historical and contemporary art, design, crafts, and architecture, the museum boasts an extensive collection. Spanning over 13,000 square meters, its permanent exhibition showcases more than 5,000 objects encompassing art, architecture, and design.

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2024

Wayfinding, signage and visual identity for Carls

Carls is a historic metal workshop hall from 1918 which was transformed into a 3,000 square meters  community hub featuring bars, a restaurant, performance and event spaces. 

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2014 – 2020

The visual concept and design for the Norwegian banknote series released between 2017 and 2020 . The series garnered widespread international coverage and acclaim.

Team: Christian Schnitler, Are Kleivan and Terje Tønnesen
Reverse sides designed by Snøhetta.

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2024

Visual identity and exhibition graphics for Oslo Negativ.

Oslo Negativ is an international photography festival held every autumn in Oslo, hosting a diverse range of exhibitors and galleries.

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2023

Visual identity for Khanateria – Hindoostani Dining and Bar

Khanateria is a small restaurant and bar located in Oslo, specializing in cuisine from the entire Indian subcontinent. From the northern regions of Afghanistan to the southern tip of Sri Lanka along the Bay of Bengal, their menu offers a diverse array of dishes representing the rich culinary heritage of the region.

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2023

Visual identity for cultural venue in Oslo.

The ground floor of brutalist architect Erling Viksjø’s iconic building for the Oslo Health Council from 1968 was transformed into a multipurpose cultural venue in 2022.

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2015

Visual identity for restaurant chain.

Since 2017, I have collaborated with owner Samir Sharma on crafting the visual identity for this esteemed Indian restaurant chain. These restaurants pay homage to the pioneering migrant workers who arrived in Norway during the 1960s and 70s. Far from being ordinary curry houses, they offer a unique culinary experience that reflects the rich cultural heritage and diverse flavors of India.

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2023

Visual identity and naming for music venue and dive bar in Oslo.

Dunk presents an eclectic mix of musical genres. From underground techno to punk, metal, jazz, and avant-garde.

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2020

Visual identity and graphics for exhibition.

Concrete in Transition examines the architect Erling Viksjø’s extensive collaboration with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Hannah Ryggen, Odd Tandberg and more. By the National museum for Art, Architecture ans Design, Norway.

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2001 – present

A small collection of screenprints, offset and inkjet posters and handbills for exhibitions, concerts and events from the past 20+ years

Some of these items are still available for purchase, others are offered for free. Please don't hesitate to contact if you're interested in acquiring any of these items.

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Amerikansk Karmageddon

2023
Forlaget Oktober

The cover of Thomas Seltzer's bestselling book Amerikansk Karmageddon – Tanker om mitt fordømte fedreland is a recontextualization of the classic 1971 Per Kleiva lithograph American Butterflies — an image that never loses its political and cultural relevance.

The book is a personal account of America by Norwegian-American Thomas Seltzer. A unique story about his life and roots, along with a personal and subjective analysis of contemporary USA.

Øyafestivalen

2006 – 2016

Identity for Norway’s premier music festival

Brand identity for music festival, Øya, from 2006–2016. During this period, the festival grew to be of the Europe’s most influential festivals across multiple domains. The design has recieved numerous Norwegian and international awards.

Kaels Studio exhibition

2019
RAM galleri

Exhibition graphics and catalog for the ten-year anniversary exhibition of the renowned interior architecture studio, Kaels Studio. The exhibition provided a retrospective look at a decade of production, showcasing furniture and interior objects used in everything from exhibition design in galleries and museums to advertising agencies and schools.

Phots by Fin Serck-Hansen