Anja Reponen

Hi! I'm Anja Reponen, illustrator, visual designer and art director. I work on a wide variety of commissions. I mainly illustrate from observation, but I am equally inspired by more conceptual projects. I specialize in portraiture.

I approach new work by discussing and learning about the client's values, needs and the context of the work. I like to combine the content of the work with my style so that the end result is as meaningful, attractive, effective and recognisable as possible. I have a tendency to incorporate humor into illustrations whenever it’s appropriate. As a collaborator, I'm approachable, flexible and nice, and I've never missed a deadline.

My background is in book graphic design. I am inspired by stories, interesting content and strong emotions. I also value responsibility. I look for warmth, joy, grit and ease in my illustrations.

My working languages are Finnish, English (and Swedish). An up-to-date portfolio can be found on my website. Please get in touch! :)

I am particularly good at illustrating people. Illustrating landscapes and objects also comes naturally to me. I draw and paint fluently by hand in almost any medium, which fulfills my adventurous spirit and nurtures my creativity. Different techniques and their combinations allow me to create a wide range of moods. I also use Photoshop for finishing touches, which gives me flexibility in my work.

Bottlescouts, Fazer, Finnish Design Shop, Finnish Film Foundation, Google Design, Granta, Gummerus, Helsingin Sanomat, House Notes, Image, Into Sustainability, It's Nice That, Kanava, Kirkon Ulkomaanapu, Kuvittajat ry, Kuukausiliite, Lenny Letter, Long Play, Luona Oy, Metsä Fibre, Metsä Group, Musiikkitalo (Helsinki Music Centre), NEO.LIFE, New Museum of Architecture and Design, Otavamedia, Otava Publishing Company, Parnasso, Preludium, Psykologi, S&S, Storytel, Suomen Kuvalehti, Smithsonian Magazine, Tammi Publishers, Teema, The New York Times, This is Helsinki, Tiede&Taide (Finnish Cultural Foundation), Tulva, Uniarts Helsinki

“Anja made The Finnish Illustrators new identity illustrations and portraits of the staff. She's a brilliant illustrator who makes the client's wishes come true with professionalism and is always on time—she's a joy to work with!”

– Asta Boman, Executive Director, The Finnish Illustrators

“Cooperation with Anja Reponen is smooth and pleasant. She is ambitious about the work, and you can be confident that you will get something great already when ordering. Reponen's illustration style is original and compelling, and the execution is always of a high standard. The illustrations are gorgeous!”

– Katriina Rosavaara, Project Manager, Uniarts Helsinki

“Working with Anja has always been easygoing and pleasant. We wanted illustrations with a warm atmosphere—that would inspire us to imagine the future. Anja listens to her customers carefully. Through our common discussions and ideations, we have received magnificent illustrations for the new museum of architecture and design (that is being planned in Helsinki).”

– Reetta Turtiainen, Project Manager, Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design