Finnish photographer Hanna Koikkalainen asked me to do the design for her book, presenting her photo project Raja (The Border). The pictures were taken at both sides of the border between Southern Finland and Russia and they are accompanied by her personal diary notes. I wanted to respect the dreamy peaceful atmosphere of Hanna’s photos by giving them space to breathe. Book was published by art specialised publishing house Musta Taide.

*** The book won the main price of Finnish Book Committee’s The Most Beautiful Book of the Year 2016. ***

Client: Musta Taide / Maahenki 
Year: 2016
Credits: Text and photographs / Hanna Koikkalainen

Tiina Vainio, the author of the book, developed a licensed sauna fitness system Sauna Yoga which has now became popular all over the world. The book titled Sauna Yoga - Finding Calm and Relaxation  demonstrates three, 30-minute long sequences of poses suitable for for anyone regardless of age and level of fitness.

With the design I wanted to reflect the serenity of yoga and the peace and beauty of Finnish sauna culture. Finnish nature plays an important role in choice of photos. Photographer Charlotta Boucht took amazing pictures for the book. The dim light and roughness of the old sauna buildings or the calm beauty of the summery sceneries have almost a meditative effect on a reader.

Client: WSOY
Year: 2012
Credits: Authors Tiina Vainio (text) / Charlotta Boucht (Photos)

Kotikulmilla – Kuvia Vantaalta ennen ja nyt /In the neighbourhood – Photos of Vantaa before and now

This book is an exhibition catalogue for #ThrowbackVantaa exhibition that I designed as well for the Vantaa City Museum. It illustrates the chances Vantaa City has gone through during the last seven decades.  I chose colors, fonts, paper and the binding to fit the Photographs that are mostly from 1950’s to 1970’s. 

*** The book was awarded with an honorable mention and was chosen to the Finnish Book Committee’s The Most Beautiful Books of 2018 collection. ***

Client: Vantaan City Museum 
Year: 2018
Credits: Editor: Karoliina Junno-Huikari / Photos: Antti Yrjönen and Lauri Leppänen / Digital image adjustment: Antti Sepponen / Printed by: Aldus Oy

Tiina Vainio, the author of the book, developed Sauna Pilates after successful launching of Sauna Yoga. Both sauna fitness systems have now became popular all over the world.  The book titled Sauna Pilates – Wellbeing for the Back demonstrates three 30-minute long sequences of poses with the emphasis on servicing the back and on strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles. 

Like in previous book Sauna Yoga the aim of visuality was to reflect the peace and beauty of Finnish sauna culture, but this time with an urban twist. We went to take photos in urban saunas of Helsinki and searched for beautiful nature spots in the city as well as rough wastelands and old industrial buildings for urban nostalgia.

Client: WSOY
Year: 2012
Credits: Authors Tiina Vainio (text) / Charlotta Boucht (Photos)

Mediakirja (The Media Book) is a yearbook of Medialiitto (Finnmedia), an advocacy organisation for the Finnish media industry and printing companies. I was asked to be the art director of the book of 2017, the second time the book was published.

My idea was to mix different media consepts. It has two covers, inside the hard book covers there is a magazine like soft cover publication. Also the layout is a combination of book and magazine styles. The third element is the AR content, where the photo collages wake up to life trough the mobile phone screen.

I art directed the book, designed it and did the layout. I also designed the AR animations for the book, directed the video material for it and created the photo collage illustrations for the AR content. The AR script writing we did in co-laboration with the editor in chief Ville Blåfield.

Client: Medialiitto (Finnmedia)
Year: 2017
Credits: Editor in Chief: Ville Blåfield / Infographics: Outi Kainiemi / Photographs: Eeva Anundi, Suvi Elo, Teemu Kuusimurto, Vilma Pimeneoff, Heli Sorjonen, Juuso Westerlund

An illustrated poetry book of Finnish poet Arvo Turtianen’s lifework. He was know as a spokesman of the working class people and describer of the rough side of Helsinki. I did the book design and photo edition. The aim in the design and choice of pictures is to honor the old Helsinki and it’s working class neighborhoods.

Tammi Publishing, 2004

The book Landsscapes with Soul – Fine Art Photography From the North shows award-winning photographer Mikko Lagerstedt’s breathtaking landscape photographs captured over thirteen years. It takes the reader to the arctic mountains, ice covered waters, silent lake sides and misty forests.

The aim was to make an alluring coffee table book, a beautiful object to hold and see. I wanted to give Mikkos’s photos peace and space, mostly they reign the spread alone, sometimes they appear in carefully selected pairs. Uncoated thick paper gives the book elegant luxury feeling. Deep blue endpapers and edges resonate with the darkness of night photographs and the silver folio on the cover shines like the stars on the skyes.

Client: Other
Year: 2021
Credits: Photos: Mikko Lagerstedt, Producer: Teemu Savolainen, Reprographics: Petri Kuokka, Printed by: Markprint

The book Retroaarteet (Retro Treasures) presents Finnish design from the years 1940–1970. The design of the book respects the functional minimalism of the Finnish design. The objects are often collected in groups that take over an entire spread. Photographs of interiors, furnitures, and other design objects are in the main role.

Client: WSOY
Year: 2011
Credits: Authors Anne-Kaisa Huusko (text) / Juho Huttunen (Photos)

Talvimaa / Winterland is an exhibition catalogue for the Fifth Finnish Photography Triennial. It shows the curated selection of the most talented Finnish photo artist of the year 2006.

Client: Valokuvataiteilijoiden liitto ry /The Union of Finnish Artist Photographers
Publishing house: Musta Taide
Year: 2006

I did the design for the book about the history of the Håkansböle mansion in Vantaa. Publisher Vantaa City Museum, 2019.

Risto Vilhunen – Ulos raameista / Out of the Frame is a catalog for the retrospective exhibition of visual artist Risto Vilhunen.

Client / Publisher: Vantaan taidemuseo Artsi / Vantaa Art Museum Artsi
Year: 2020