Virtuelli Design was founded in 1999 by the creative duo Ulla Gustavsson and Ilkka Timonen. Ulla is a trained textile designer from Konstfack, while Ilkka has a background in the graphic arts industry and has worked at Edsvik Art Gallery. He is educated in art history and media design.

Ilkka’s designs often begin with photographic elements that are simplified and transformed into more graphic expressions, while Ulla’s designs are hand-drawn sketches often inspired by Swedish folk traditions. Together, they create unique patterns for Ekelund’s textiles.

Their inspiration comes from walks in nature, exploring both grand landscapes and small details, which inform the patterns they design.