Hi, I am Nana Halonen, a curious and passionate designer with over 7 years of experience helping brands, NGOs, and universities bring clarity and beauty to complex ideas. Through my studio, Naksu Design, I craft visual stories that connect, inform, and inspire, whether it is a bold campaign, a research report, or a branded presentation. My background spans tech, academia, and impact-driven organisations. I thrive on collaboration, structure, and purpose. I believe good design is not just about how things look, but how they work, feel, and support real people. As a human being, I am warm, reliable, and endlessly curious. I find joy in learning, laughing, and helping others shine. Whether you are launching something new or elevating what exists, I am here to bring focus, creativity, and care to the table. Let us create something meaningful together.

Hi, I am Nana Halonen, a curious and passionate designer with over 7 years of experience helping brands, NGOs, and universities bring clarity and beauty to complex ideas. Through my studio, Naksu Design, I craft visual stories that connect, inform, and inspire, whether it is a bold campaign, a research report, or a branded presentation. My background spans tech, academia, and impact-driven organisations. I thrive on collaboration, structure, and purpose. I believe good design is not just about how things look, but how they work, feel, and support real people. As a human being, I am warm, reliable, and endlessly curious. I find joy in learning, laughing, and helping others shine. Whether you are launching something new or elevating what exists, I am here to bring focus, creativity, and care to the table. Let us create something meaningful together.

Available to hire

Hi, I am Nana Halonen, a curious and passionate designer with over 7 years of experience helping brands, NGOs, and universities bring clarity and beauty to complex ideas. Through my studio, Naksu Design, I craft visual stories that connect, inform, and inspire, whether it is a bold campaign, a research report, or a branded presentation.

My background spans tech, academia, and impact-driven organisations. I thrive on collaboration, structure, and purpose. I believe good design is not just about how things look, but how they work, feel, and support real people.

As a human being, I am warm, reliable, and endlessly curious. I find joy in learning, laughing, and helping others shine. Whether you are launching something new or elevating what exists, I am here to bring focus, creativity, and care to the table.

Let us create something meaningful together.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
Beginner
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Language

Finnish
Fluent
English
Fluent
Dutch
Beginner

Work Experience

Owner and Designer at NAKSU DESIGN
January 1, 2021 - June 12, 2024
Owner of a freelance studio working with various clients and projects for businesses and institutions such as Erasmus University (ISS and RSM), RNW Media, and ESOMAR.
Creative Designer at HLO Branding Agency
April 1, 2024 - April 24, 2025
Freelance Creative Designer for HLO working on various client campaigns and branding projects.
Digital Designer at Salonized
February 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
Ensured visual consistency across all digital assets while creating engaging designs for social media collateral, ad campaigns, and digital marketing materials. Designed responsive websites and landing pages, optimized ad campaigns, and collaborated with cross-functional teams with wireframes and asset creation to bring creative ideas to life. Additionally designed trade show materials, promotional content, and event branding, strengthening overall brand identity.
Senior Visual Designer at Lytho
February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2024
As the Brand guardian, ensured consistency across all digital assets while creating engaging designs for social media collateral, ad campaigns, and digital marketing materials. Developed creative designs for websites, editorial layouts for industry reports and white papers, and event branding, contributing to a cohesive and impactful visual identity for the brand.
Graphic Designer & Production Coordinator at ESOMAR
October 1, 2019 - February 1, 2021
Designed digital marketing collateral, editorial layouts for industry reports (print and digital), and event branding. Coordinated with printers and vendors to ensure quality and timely production.
Mobile Graphic Designer at IMPALA STUDIOS
February 1, 2018 - September 1, 2019
Created UI assets, workflows, and wireframes for utility apps using Sketch and Adobe programs ensuring smooth user experience and responsive designs. Designed marketing materials for mobile devices and the App Store following brand guidelines. Optimized assets for multiple screen sizes to ensure quality performance across devices.
Graphic Design Intern at Starbucks
June 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016
Assisted with interior design projects, helping develop creative concepts for store layouts and décor. Contributed to mural patterns and visual assets for store environments.
Graphic Design Intern at OONA Design Studio
February 1, 2016 - June 30, 2016
Assisted in creating infographics for various projects focusing on clear and engaging visual storytelling. Contributed to book publication projects, handling typography and layout design for cohesive final design.
Creative Designer at HLO Branding Agency
April 1, 2024 - April 24, 2025
Freelance Creative Designer for HLO to work on various client campaigns and other branding projects.
Digital Designer at Salonized
February 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
Ensured visual consistency across all digital assets while creating engaging designs for social media collateral, ad campaigns, and digital marketing materials. Designed responsive websites and landing pages, optimized ad campaigns, and collaborated with cross-functional teams with wireframes and asset creation to bring creative ideas to life. Additionally designed trade show materials, promotional content, and event branding to strengthen overall brand identity.
Senior Visual Designer at Lytho
February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2024
Acted as the Brand guardian, ensuring consistency across all digital assets while creating engaging designs for social media collateral, ad campaigns, and digital marketing materials. Developed creative designs for websites, editorial layouts for industry reports and white papers, and event branding, contributing to a cohesive and impactful visual identity for the brand.
Graphic Designer & Production Coordinator at ESOMAR
October 1, 2019 - February 1, 2021
Designed digital marketing collateral, editorial layouts for industry reports (print and digital), and event branding. Coordinated with printers and vendors to ensure quality and timely production.
Mobile Graphic Designer at Impala Studios
February 1, 2018 - September 1, 2019
Created various UI assets, workflows, and wireframes for utility apps using Sketch and Adobe programs, ensuring smooth user experiences and responsive designs. Also designed marketing materials for mobile devices and the App Store, following brand guidelines to increase engagement. Optimized assets for different screen sizes to ensure quality performance across devices.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Willem De Kooning Academy
September 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Bachelor of Arts at Willem De Kooning Academy
September 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Non-Profit Organization
    uniE621 ESOMAR diverse publications
    ESOMAR is the global voice of the market research and data analytics industry. As a long-standing authority, they publish a wide range of in-depth industry and annual reports targeted at professionals and decision-makers around the world. I developed a flexible design system that allowed each report to stand on its own, yet stay connected to the ESOMAR family. This included custom icons, layouts, and visual styles tailored to the report themes, all while keeping within the brand’s colour palette and type system. From concept development to final delivery, I led the entire process and worked closely with ESOMAR’s marketing team to ensure content and visuals worked hand in hand. More than five reports were launched on time, each with its own distinct look but clearly part of the same design language. The refreshed layouts improved readability and engagement, and stakeholders shared positive feedback on how much more accessible and polished the reports felt. This consistent visual identity helped reinforce ESOMAR’s brand across its reports and publications.