I am Leena Kisonen, a Finnish illustrator based in London in the UK.
I work in the mix of illustration, design and art.
I work in the mix of illustration, design and art.
I create work for print and digital, textiles, packaging and products. Sometimes my creations also take over spaces and climb on walls and windows.
My style can be described as a blend of delicious candy colors,
playful shapes and big smiles. I've developed my craft over the years, drawing inspiration especially from Nordic simplicity, Japanese aesthetics and folk arts.
I create my artwork by combining paper cut with digital processing,
which gives my style its unique and warm handmade feel.
playful shapes and big smiles. I've developed my craft over the years, drawing inspiration especially from Nordic simplicity, Japanese aesthetics and folk arts.
I create my artwork by combining paper cut with digital processing,
which gives my style its unique and warm handmade feel.
My clientele includes Google, Snapchat and Helsinki Design Week among others.
My work has also won many clients in Japan, where I've collaborated with
Isetan Mitsukoshi, Epos Card and many more.
My work has also won many clients in Japan, where I've collaborated with
Isetan Mitsukoshi, Epos Card and many more.
If you want to work with me, have a question or just want to say hello,
please do not hesitate to get in touch!
please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Photo: Jennifer Ahlamaa
Selected Clients
Google, Snapchat, Facebook, Atlassian, Refinery 29, The Finnish Post, Hakola, Anyways Creative, Papyrus, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Helsinki Design Week, Minna Parikka, Hain BluePrint, Bruce Mau Design, Unilever, Putinki, Y-säätiö, Le Monde Diplomatique
Talks and Classes
Aalto University
Lecture on quoting, pricing and invoicing design projects.
Espoo, Finland, 30 October 2018
Lecture on quoting, pricing and invoicing design projects.
Espoo, Finland, 30 October 2018
Chinese Picture Book Conference
Two talks at a conference in Shanghai focused on picture book illustration.
The conference is accompanied with a group exhibition at Huichuang Space.
Talk 1: Introduction to my work
Talk 2: Creating your own illustration style
Shanghai, China, 13-14 October 2018
Two talks at a conference in Shanghai focused on picture book illustration.
The conference is accompanied with a group exhibition at Huichuang Space.
Talk 1: Introduction to my work
Talk 2: Creating your own illustration style
Shanghai, China, 13-14 October 2018
St. Petersburg International School of Design
Masterclass for a private design school:
Pricing for illustrators
St. Petersburg, Russia, September 2018
Masterclass for a private design school:
Pricing for illustrators
St. Petersburg, Russia, September 2018
Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Talk in a one-day conference on funding illustration:
How to Make Money With Illustration?
View the talk online (in Finnish only)
Helsinki, Finland, May 2018
Talk in a one-day conference on funding illustration:
How to Make Money With Illustration?
View the talk online (in Finnish only)
Helsinki, Finland, May 2018
Aalto University
Talk and Q&A session: Working as a freelancer
Espoo, Finland, September 2017
Talk and Q&A session: Working as a freelancer
Espoo, Finland, September 2017
Helsinki Design Week
Public talk: How to create your own illustration style
Helsinki, Finland, September 2017
St. Petersburg International School of Design
Masterclass for a private design school: Emotion in Design
St. Petersburg, Russia, June 2017
Public talk: How to create your own illustration style
Helsinki, Finland, September 2017
St. Petersburg International School of Design
Masterclass for a private design school: Emotion in Design
St. Petersburg, Russia, June 2017
St. Petersburg Design Week
Keynote talk at St. Petersburg's annual design week:
Creating your own illustration style
St. Petersburg, Russia, June 2017
Keynote talk at St. Petersburg's annual design week:
Creating your own illustration style
St. Petersburg, Russia, June 2017
3331 Arts Chiyoda
Artist's talk on my work and craft
Tokyo, Japan, October 2014
Artist's talk on my work and craft
Tokyo, Japan, October 2014
Selected features
Display Art - The Art of Window Design and Display
Sandu Publishing, China, 2018
Sandu Publishing, China, 2018
Art Quarter Vol. 16
Muen Art, Taiwan, 2017
Muen Art, Taiwan, 2017
Relishing Marketing – Illustrations on Food and Drink Packaging
Images Publishing, China, 2017
Images Publishing, China, 2017
Slanted #29 - Helsinki
Slanted Publishers, Germany, 2017
Slanted Publishers, Germany, 2017
Finnish Designers at Home – 12 Inspiring Lifestyles
PIE Books, Tokyo, 2015
PIE Books, Tokyo, 2015
Finland Yum-Yum Kitchens
Édition Paumes, Tokyo, 2014
Édition Paumes, Tokyo, 2014
Le Monde Diplomatique: In 50 Comics um die Welt
Reprodukt, Berlin, 2010
Reprodukt, Berlin, 2010