Podcast Summary:

New Books Network
Episode: Sven Völker, "The Museum of Shapes" (Cicada Books, 2025)
Host: Mel Rosenberg
Guest: Professor Sven Völker
Date: October 8, 2025

Overview

This episode features a conversation between host Mel Rosenberg and German author, illustrator, designer, and university professor Sven Völker, focusing on his new book, The Museum of Shapes (Cicada Books, 2025). They delve into the inspirations behind the book, the intersection of concrete art and children's literature, Sven’s unconventional journey to picture books, his philosophy as a creator and teacher, and his students' successes. The tone is engaging, warm, and candid, offering insights for aspiring authors, illustrators, and anyone interested in how ideas and creativity can be fostered in the world of children's books.

Main Themes

• The Creation and Concept of "The Museum of Shapes"
• Concrete Art and Visual Storytelling
• Sven’s Artistic Journey: From Graphic Design to Picture Books
• Teaching Picture Book Creation at University
• The Nature of Creative Ideas
• Gender & Diversity in Picture Book Publishing
• the Process of Publishing and Collaboration

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Sven Völker and the New Book

[04:23–06:48]

• Sven Völker is introduced as an author, illustrator, designer, and professor.
• The new book The Museum of Shapes is born from a request by the Museum of Concrete Art in Ingolstadt, Germany.
• The book mimics a museum visit, guiding young readers through the evolution of shapes, using characters Max (a dog) and Alma (a curator inspired by Bauhaus toy designer Alma Siedhoff-Buscher).
• Sven emphasizes the intent to avoid "art" as a defined term:

  "I wanted the word art to be nowhere in it... It’s really about the beauty of forms." (13:16, Sven Völker)

2. The Book’s Structure and Artistic Philosophy

[08:08–13:49]

• The book's design, from the endpapers (Forzatz/Forzatz) to the journey from dots to three-dimensional and "wiggly" shapes, is described in detail.
• Importance is placed on personal engagement—readers are invited to pick favorite shapes and notice the imperfections from real life:

  "You never have simple shapes in reality. Some shapes are in our heads ... a circle can be half a circle, and half a circle can turn into something like a sunset." (09:41, Sven Völker)

• The project’s dual life: it inhabits museum spaces as well as bookstores, accessible beyond its physical origin.

3. Publishing Journey and Recognition

[12:20–16:31]

• Sven discusses how the museum’s proposal evolved to broader publication by reaching out to publishers, notably Cicada Books.
• He appreciates Cicada’s understanding of both art and commerce:

  "I've not met many people that have this foot in both worlds and kind of work with it and not just try to sell books or just try to be arty-farty." (14:01, Sven Völker)

• Previous successes are mentioned, including The Million Dots, recognized by the New York Times as one of the 10 best picture books of 2019.

4. Sven’s (Non-)Traditional Artistic Background

[16:59–23:36]

• Sven did not grow up drawing or immersed in "classical" illustration but was drawn to music, playing drums in numerous bands.
• He only later shifted towards graphic design and eventually picture books, making his journey non-linear.
• The influence of international picture books during childhood:

  "You grow up with Maurice Sendak and Richard Scarry... and Tomi Ungerer, of course." (22:03, Sven Völker)

5. Entering and Exiting Illustration; Facing Creative Struggles

[23:36–24:47]

• Sven left illustration in art school due to self-doubt about his drawing skills compared to peers. Photography and design became alternate creative outlets.
• Emphasizes now not caring about tools or technical perfection:

  "I don’t care about tools—use a stick and a little mud, that's okay to do illustration." (24:11, Sven Völker)

6. First Book, Collaboration, and Learning

[24:47–27:44]

• The launch of his first picture book, A Little Black Spot on the Sun Today (based on Sting’s song), marked his entry into published children’s books.
• The creative (and legal) process of adapting Sting’s work into a book is detailed.
• Early works reflect Sven’s minimalist visual vocabulary:

  "At the beginning of my picture book career, I couldn’t even draw more than a triangle." (25:28, Sven Völker)

• The importance of inviting readers on a journey, rather than seeking to solely impress:

  "You can make everybody be stunned... but you can also invite the audience to join you on that journey." (26:38, Sven Völker)

7. Overcoming Barriers and the Role of Agents

[27:44–29:49]

• Sven’s struggles after first publication:

  "I've been really struggling for three or four years to get my second book published with a good publisher... Maybe making picture books is not what you want to do." (15:51, Sven Völker)

• He now works with multiple publishers and has a non-traditional agent.
• Expresses a proactive, open approach to finding publishing opportunities, especially internationally.

8. Teaching: The Picture Book Lab

[29:49–38:50]

• Sven teaches at the university level, leading a "Picture Book Lab," where students create full book concepts each semester.
• His teaching method:
  • Weekly sessions: start by reading picture books aloud.
  • Encourage students to tackle both writing and illustration.
  • Focus on developing one’s own ideas, regardless of illustration skill level:

    "I force them to write their books and illustrate their books... it has to be your idea, your concept." (37:01, Sven Völker)

• The approach is structured but creative, with the goal of students producing publishable dummies for events like the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

9. On Ideas and the Creative Process

[40:05–41:44]

• Sven discusses cultivating ideas as a skill, not a mystery:

  "There’s an idea every 20 seconds or every day or every half day or every hour, every conversation, every visit to the museum..." (41:22, Sven Völker)

• Importance of risk, process, and documentation (e.g., carrying a notebook).

10. The Realities of Publication & Gender Dynamics

[45:43–48:33]

• Gender question: Most students are women, but successful published illustrators at book fairs are predominantly men.
• Sven believes pay inequality is a more pressing problem than publication opportunities:

  "Women are paid worse, have worse contracts than men in this business... But I believe it's a very open world in which anybody can contribute." (46:55, Sven Völker)

11. Admissions, Student Support, and Course Access

[49:09–50:39]

• Entry into the Picture Book Lab is selective, based on portfolios and initial ideas.
• Graduates are welcome to return and contribute, helping foster a multi-generational learning environment.

12. Authors vs. Author-Illustrators

[51:31–53:47]

• Sven respects authors who choose the concise format of picture books:

  "It’s like writing poetry ... only 10 words, and that should be it." (52:07, Sven Völker)

• Finds it essential, personally, to combine words and images.
• Admits he is open to adaptation/remixing existing texts, as with his upcoming project based on Pinocchio.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity and Artistic Growth:

  "As an author or artist, you can make everybody stunned and impressed ... but you can also invite the audience to join your journey." (26:38, Sven Völker)

• On the Role of Ideas:

  "There’s an idea every 20 seconds or every day ... Every visit to the museum, every film you look at, there’s ideas. And you just have to see them, document them." (41:22, Sven Völker)

• On Picture Book Possibility:

  "What I really do is I work on books pretty fast ... For me, it’s more important to stay relaxed and easy even if the deadline approaches." (42:06, Sven Völker)

• On Teaching Approach:

  "I let them do the work and then I try to steal as many ideas that are floating around that place as I can." (36:16, Sven Völker)

• On Diversity and Fairness:

  "There’s definitely an unfair way of paying ... women are paid worse, have worse contracts than men in this business. That’s not okay. That needs to change." (46:55, Sven Völker)

• Memorable Host Banter:

  "You are the personification of [the book] The Dot." (26:31, Mel Rosenberg)

Important Timestamps

• Intro & Book Presentation: [04:23–08:08]
• Book Concept & Process: [08:08–13:49]
• Publishing & Cicada Books: [14:01–16:31]
• Artistic Beginnings & Childhood: [16:59–23:36]
• First Books & Collaboration: [24:47–27:44]
• On Ideas & Creativity: [40:05–41:44]
• Course Description (Picture Book Lab): [36:30–38:50]
• Gender in Picture Books: [45:43–48:33]
• Authors v. Author-Illustrators: [51:31–53:47]
• Upcoming Projects: [52:59–53:47]

Conclusion

Sven Völker’s episode offers a vibrant look at the intersection of minimal, concrete art and emotive children’s storytelling. By combining practical advice, honesty about creative blocks, and reflections on community (both in publishing and education), Sven personifies the open-mindedness and evolving spirit of contemporary picture books. Aspiring creators will find inspiration in his journey from "not an illustrator" to an acclaimed voice in the field—and in the grace with which he welcomes continual learning from peers and students alike.

Find out more about Sven Völker and the Picture Book Lab at his website or visit in person/online if you’re interested in illustration or children’s literature!