Stuff about me

I am a professional designer and creative thinker, who knows how to crystallize and visualize the messages in a distinctive, desirable and understandable way.

Hello! Nice to meet you!

Hi! Thanks for checking my portfolio. My name is Antti Toivanen and I am currently living in Lahti, Finland. I am a professional designer and creative thinker, who knows how to crystallize and visualize the messages in a distinctive, desirable and understandable way. I am always positively curious and looking new perspectives to find and create the unique and fresh ideas. I also want to help others to achieve more creative and better solutions in their work. In addition, I like to listen to and make electronic music by myself, walk in the nature and enjoy good whiskeys and beers.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antti-toivanen/

My strengths

So what are my strengths? I’ve done a wide variety of things in my 20-year career, but I’m definitely at my best in these things:

Art Direction
I can design visually appealing and distinctive brands or advertising and direct the work of a design team to achieve the desired results and goals.

Creative Thinking
Creativity and developing new ideas is one of my passions. I always try to find some new and surprising perspective on things.

Concept Design
Finding the right things from large entities and crystallizing them into workable concepts is definitely one of my greatest strengths.

Graphic Design
Graphic and visual design is a big part of my daily work. With that, it’s also a big part of me and my mindset.

UX/UI Design
I have also designed a lot of different digital interfaces and I understand the importance of a good user experience. I design UX and UI with both Figma and Adobe XD.

Photo Manipulation
I have been using Photoshop for over 25 years, so I am particularly good at image editing and image manipulation. I love high quality images and understand their importance to brands.

Illustration
Experimental illustration is one of my interests. Through it, it is possible to achieve truly spectacular and distinctive visual implementations.

In addition, I am a great team player with positive attitude and fair guy to everyone.

Brands and clients I have been working with

Skanska, Partioaitta, Svala, Nanoksi, Helsingin kaupunki, Hilton Hotels, Scandic Hotels, Järvikylä, Hanakat, Papyrus, Kekkilä, Kempower, Kemppi, Ewona, Jita, BestCamp, BestPark, CC-Case, RP-Case, Chiller, Keiku, Amarillo, Autotalo Laakkonen, Abiristeilyt, BLC, Elematic, Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, Goom, Go On, Isku, Jazztori, Korvenranta, KSS Energia, Kuninkuusravit, Lahti Energia, Lahti Precision, Lehtimäen Matkat, Makery, Makron, Markprint, Maxivision, Metsähallitus, Novart, Nuuksio Lakeland, Orton, PAM, Piano Paviljonki, Puhdas Vesijärvi, Savotta, Sinfonia Lahti, Stalatube, Summer Up, Suomen Fysioterapeutit, Suomen Hiiva, Sympa, Underpond, Uusyrityskeskus, Valtra, Woikoski

Work experience

2024 May – present
Ilme, Lahti › www.ilme.fi
Job description: Art Director

2024 January – May
Republic
Job description: Senior Art Director

2022 – 2024
Kaimana
Job description: Senior Art Director

2020 – 2022
Redland Lahti & Helsinki
Job description: Art Director

2016 – 2020
Advertising Agency Ilme, Lahti
Job description: Senior Art Director, Creative Lead

2007 – 2016
Advertising Agency Ilme, Lahti
Job description: Art Director

2016 – present
Founder of Superkirja.fi – website where you can compare book prices from multiple online bookstores: www.superkirja.fi & Superkirja.fi in the Facebook

2010 – present
Founder of Graafinen.com – website for graphic designers: www.graafinen.com & Graafinen.com in the Facebook

2005 – 2007
Advertising Agency MBE, Lahti
Job description: Art Director

Summers 2002 – 2004
Aluelehti Savonmaa, Savonlinna
Job description: Graphic Designer (advertisement production, weekly magazine layout)

Summer 2001
UPM Kymmene, Savonlinna
Job description: Plywood manufacturing production

1999 – 2000
TKY – The Student Union of Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo
Job description: Graphic Designer (Non-military service)

1996
Aluelehti Savonmaa, Savonlinna
Job description: Paperboy

In Addition
Multiple freelance works in the field of graphic design

Education

2004 Exchange studying 3 months in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Institute of Design
2000-2004 Lahti University of Applied Sciences: Institute of Design, Graphic Design, Lahti
1996-1999 Savonlinna Senior Secondary School of Art and Music, Savonlinna
1993-1996 Mertala middle school, Savonlinna
1987-1993 Nätki elementary school, Savonlinna

Awards

Kultajyvä Awards 2016 – Commercial Poster: Shortlist position
Work title: “Tuorein suomalainen”
Customer: Järvikylä
Design team: Joni Tarhonen, Antti Toivanen, Saara Harju, Johanna Palm, Miia Rantalainen, Jenni Lindstöm
Photograph: Aki Loponen

Rautajyvä Awards 2016 – Commercial Poster: 2nd position – Kärkimedia readers panelist choice
Work title: “Tuorein suomalainen”
Customer: Järvikylä
Design team: Joni Tarhonen, Antti Toivanen, Saara Harju, Johanna Palm, Miia Rantalainen, Jenni Lindstöm
Photograph: Aki Loponen

Kuukauden parhaat sekunnit marraskuu 2011 – Shortlist position: Pelicans “kyykky” -TV-Spot
Customer: Pelicans | Designers: Markus Heinonen, Jarno Järvi, Antti Toivanen, Oskari Kariste, Antti Haataja, Sami Aalto, Toni Eronen, Miia Rantalainen, Tuomas Kotialho, Tiina Viljanen, Joni Tarhonen | Camera & filming: Aki Loponen

Outdoor Champions 2010: Best outdoor ad campaign in Finland, November
Customer: Järvikylä | Designers: Markus Heinonen, Antti Toivanen, Oskari Kariste | Photograph: Aki Loponen

Galerie Art Design Print Awards 2009: Print product of the year, Ilme Magazine, the 3rd place
Customer: Mainostoimisto Ilme Oy | Designers: Oskari Kariste, Markus Heinonen, Timo Taulo, Jenni Hakanen, Antti Toivanen, Jarno Järvi, Jani Mahkonen, Aki Loponen | Printing press: Markprint Oy / Tuomas Talvitie