I’m a seasoned graphic designer with 13+ years of experience, having worked with notable clients like YLE (Finland’s national broadcaster), Otava Publishing (a leading Finnish publishing house), and Cloubi (a Finnish EdTech company specializing in cloud-based learning solutions). From logos to full brand identities, I’ve designed it all, specializing in web design, branding, and visual communication across various industries. My expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and my ability to adapt designs for different markets make me confident I can help modernize your visual assets, especially for English-speaking audiences. I’m a creative problem solver who loves collaborating with others. Whether it’s crafting marketing materials, building design systems, or brainstorming ideas, I thrive in a team environment. I bring a friendly, approachable attitude and an eye for detail to every project. Outside of design, I’m also passionate about sharing ideas and creating seamless visual experiences.

Niina Väänänen

I’m a seasoned graphic designer with 13+ years of experience, having worked with notable clients like YLE (Finland’s national broadcaster), Otava Publishing (a leading Finnish publishing house), and Cloubi (a Finnish EdTech company specializing in cloud-based learning solutions). From logos to full brand identities, I’ve designed it all, specializing in web design, branding, and visual communication across various industries. My expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and my ability to adapt designs for different markets make me confident I can help modernize your visual assets, especially for English-speaking audiences. I’m a creative problem solver who loves collaborating with others. Whether it’s crafting marketing materials, building design systems, or brainstorming ideas, I thrive in a team environment. I bring a friendly, approachable attitude and an eye for detail to every project. Outside of design, I’m also passionate about sharing ideas and creating seamless visual experiences.

Available to hire

I’m a seasoned graphic designer with 13+ years of experience, having worked with notable clients like YLE (Finland’s national broadcaster), Otava Publishing (a leading Finnish publishing house), and Cloubi (a Finnish EdTech company specializing in cloud-based learning solutions). From logos to full brand identities, I’ve designed it all, specializing in web design, branding, and visual communication across various industries. My expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and my ability to adapt designs for different markets make me confident I can help modernize your visual assets, especially for English-speaking audiences.
I’m a creative problem solver who loves collaborating with others. Whether it’s crafting marketing materials, building design systems, or brainstorming ideas, I thrive in a team environment. I bring a friendly, approachable attitude and an eye for detail to every project. Outside of design, I’m also passionate about sharing ideas and creating seamless visual experiences.

See more

Language

Finnish
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at Independent Entrepreneur / Freelancer
January 1, 2019 - November 10, 2025
Independent designer providing logo design, website design, and digital illustrations for a diverse client base. Highlights include 2D character and world design for the children's TV show Nappulat for YLE, logo and title graphics, asset creation for social media, and prop design for studio use. I also created digital illustrations for audio stories across educational levels and produced social graphics in multiple sizes for various platforms.
Designer (Full-time) at CLOUBI LTD
October 1, 2018 - October 1, 2018
Worked across product design and marketing materials in a Finnish edtech company. Responsibilities included art direction, UI kits, illustrations, UX/UI design for new features, and brand templates/guidelines. Managed marketing templates for Google Docs/Slides, Mailchimp, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere/Pro templates. Notable projects included a gamified Finnish language learning web app for OPH and the complete design of the Aikuisten perusopetus e-learning series.
Graphic Designer at YLE Finnish National Broadcasting Company
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Designed gamified visuals with animations for YLE’s Christmas Special editions (3 years: 2013-2015), including landing pages and multiple pages with animated vector illustrations for children. Created props and visuals for classroom-style segments and supported branding across related materials.
Graphic Designer Entrepreneur at Independent Freelancer
January 1, 2019 - November 20, 2025
As an independent designer I have worked for several clients, delivering logo and website design, illustrations, and social media graphics. Notable projects include YLE's Nappulat (2D character worlds, logo and title graphics, and prop design), illustrations for audio stories, and social media assets. I also developed branding and web materials for Autostudio Oy (Hifi.fi), Koiraväen Grooming Salon, and Otava Publishing House, including brand identity, web UI, and marketing materials.
Designer at Cloubi Ltd
October 1, 2018 - October 1, 2018
In this full-time role I contributed to product design, UI kits, illustrations, and branding materials for the company's LMS platform. I led UX/UI design for new features in close collaboration with developers and prepared marketing templates and guidelines. Highlights include the gamified Finnish language learning web app for OPH and the complete design of the Aikuisten perusopetus e-learning series.

Education

Bachelor of Graphic Design at Metropolia AMK
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2013
Upper Secondary School Diploma / Visual Arts at YLIOPPILAS HELSINGIN KUVATAIDELUKIO
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2003
Clothing Design at EVTEK Muotoiluinstituutti
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Graphic Designer at Metropolia AMK
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2013
Clothing Designer at EVTEK Muotoiluinstituutti
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Toistuva koulutus / Kuvataidekoulutus at Helsingin Ylioppilaskoulu / Kuvataidelukio
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2003

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Retail
    paper Brand Identity for “The Gentledogs’ Grooming & Bathing”

    I designed the logo, color scheme, fonts, patterns, and illustration elements for a Helsinki-based dog grooming salon. The salon uses ecological and natural products, which they wanted to reflect in their visual identity.