Cleared for Takeoff: The Launch of Studio11

Welcome aboard, and thank you for visiting Studio11 from the very beginning of what I hope will be an amazing journey through our shared passion for aviation.

Studio11 was born from a lifelong fascination with aircraft and a deep love for graphic design and illustration. But the roots go back even further to December 24th, 2015 the day I launched my first aviation-focused project: the Instagram account MD11Aviation.

Driven by an obsession with the legendary McDonnell Douglas MD-11, I set out with a clear mission: to create the ultimate MD-11 community on Instagram, filled with engaging content, rare footage, and a place where fellow enthusiasts could come together.

For years, I gradually built the Instagram page, one post at a time. With a consistent schedule of sharing content three times a week, the community grew steadily, attracting fellow MD-11 lovers from around the world.

After four years of dedication, I decided it was time for something bigger: a project that would combine my love for aviation and illustration in a new way. That idea became The Production Line Project

Every single day, I dedicated time to creating a post covering one specific MD-11 airframe starting with the very first, N111MD, all the way to the final aircraft ever built, D-ALCN. Each post was a deep dive into that aircraft’s story, featuring everything I could find: serial number, line number, engine types, operator history, notable incidents, accidents, and freighter conversions.

It became a true archival project, a visual and historical tribute to the entire MD-11 production line.

This series, known as The Production Line Project, quickly caught the attention of the aviation community. The page gained momentum, and before I knew it, the account had grown to over 25,000 followers, all united by a shared passion for this iconic tri-jet

After finally completing all 200 MD-11 airframes, I found myself asking: What’s next?
Following many requests from the community, I decided to take on an even bigger challenge. In 2021, I began documenting the entire production history of the DC-10, over 350 aircraft in total.

But this project proved even more demanding. Researching, designing, and writing detailed posts every single day, all while managing a full-time job eventually took its toll. Despite the excitement and engagement, I made the difficult decision to pause the project halfway through.

After nearly six years of consistent posting and content creation, I decided to step back and take a break from the page.

After starting out a career within the aviation industry as a Marketing Executive, something always felt off. I had been looking for a way to express my creativity, and I had been searching for years. After doing some research and reflecting on the things that truly inspired me, it finally hit me:
I want to combine my passion for aviation with my passion for design and illustration.

This idea would set the foundation for what would eventually become Studio11.

But why “Studio eleven”?
Well, the name already hints at my old online aviation project: MD11Aviation, a page I had put so much work into, but which had been inactive for years. So I decided to re-launch it and once again start sharing my passion.

Studio11 became both an ode to the plane that got me into aviation, and a way to share my artwork and ideas.

And all with the same mission:
Creating a community where people can share thoughts, memories, and even contribute ideas that inspire new artwork ,keeping the spirit of retro planes like the MD-11, DC-10, and 747 alive through creativity.

Whether you’ve been following since the MD11Aviation days or just discovered Studio11, I’m truly glad you’re here.
I’m always open to feedback, suggestions, or a good old aviation chat, because this community is built on shared passion.

Feel free to send me a message on my socials, leave a comment, or send me an email. If you’ve gotten curious about my work, check out the Shop where every new artwork will be launched by clicking the button below.

Here’s to what’s ahead.
This is just the beginning.

— Njord
Founder & Designer, Studio11