Kristian Nygård was born in Mo i Rana in 1977, but currently lives in Drammen. His daily work is at a debt-collection agency, at the same time as he is also the creator of the online hit series Optipess. The name of the cartoon comes from blending the words optimism and pessimism, referencing the way one often finds one foot on either side of these familiar sensations in day-to-day life. Kristian has been drawing Optipess for over 10 years, and this is his first book release.