My name is Anna Mu and I'm an independent art director / illustrator / animator / graphic designer based in Helsinki. With over a decade of experience in the creative industry in Finland, I specialize in creating impactful visuals for education, sustainability, and social change. My portfolio features editorial illustrations, education animations, visual identity design, and graphic design for print and digital media.

Current & Previous Clients


Aalto University


Scope Impact


Og Mag UK


Kone Foundation


Natural Resources Institute Finland


Finnish Nature Magazine


Finnish Ministry of the Environment


Imagine Learning


University of Helsinki

Work Experience

  • I am proud to participate as freelance designer with Imagine Learning in creating innovative educational materials.

    We’ve been hard at work redesigning math educational print materials — creating enhanced implementation experience and making math more engaging. From Grades 1 to 8, each grade comprising 8 to 9 units, both teacher guides and student workbooks have undergone a transformative makeover.

    I’ve also been honoured to be a freelance designer for the University of Helsinki, being responsible for creating visual communication for Periferia exhibition of environmental art and all visual support across different medium from website and social media to map stand.

    I was fortunate to work on editorial illustrations for Kone Foundation, Oh Mag UK and Suomen Luonto magazines and covers for VIRKE magazine.

    I collaborated in designing visuals for positive change together with SCOPE IMPACT. This project, led Columbia University is collaborating with global stakeholders to enhance maternal healthcare using design thinking in redefining indicators and improving decision-making processes.

    I have created education animations for Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and Pixelache Helsinki.

    I had an honour to create several visual communication for educa- tion campaigns for Aalto University and visual identity for the Nor- dic Master Programme in Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering.

  • At the end of 2018, I was promoted to the role of Lead Designer at Aalto University, where I not only oversaw the university’s visual communication but also took on a strong ownership of the Aalto visual brand. As the team leader, I managed a team of 2 to 6 people, delegating and supervising multiple projects. One of my key achievements was leading the brand refresh process and renewing the brand guidelines to ensure consistency and relevance across all visual materials, resulting in the new online brand guidelines and Aalto website renewal.

  • As an in-house designer, I managed the university’s visual communication, creating designs for various materials and events while collaborating with external consultancies and students. I also provided visual support for large-scale events, such as the Aalto Festival, which received recognition from Mindsparkle Mag.

  • At LUK, we specialized in conceptualizing and implementing graphic design concepts, with a primary focus on identity design and its digital presentation. Running a small design company required strong skills in managing client relationships, analyzing and interpreting project briefs, conducting workshops, and ensuring that project requirements were met within budget constraints.

  • “Media concept design” minor program at Aalto University lead me to the job at Ympäristö magazine published by the Finnish Ministry of Environment. In this role, I created a new visual identity for the magazine and was subsequently hired to art direct and design the layout for every issue.

  • At BOB, I worked as a Junior Designer, completing various tasks as part of larger design projects. This experience taught me about the design agency routine and the high quality standards of the Finn-ish design industry. It was a valuable opportunity to learn and grow as a designer.

Education

  • After Effects Kickstart course, Illustration for Motion course

  • Graphic Design MA

  • Media Concept Design minor course