Laura Merz
Hi! I'm Laura, a visual artist, illustrator and designer. I specialise in public art projects, murals, nature-themed illustrations and children's books. My illustrations have been awarded and exhibited worldwide.
My approach to illustration is playful, curious and intuitive. I use different analogue drawing, painting and markmaking techniques. My style a mixture of minimalism and maximalism: bold, graphic black and white studies of form, lines and characters and sometimes an abundance of colours and textures to create a rich, exuberant visual language. I apply my style to a wide range of media: editorial, books, murals, textiles, ceramics. My works often include interactive, participatory elements that spark joy, imagination and a sense of wonder in their viewers.
I’m passionate about creating interesting art for children. I have illustrated three children’s books, published by Etana Editions in Finland. I’m currently working on new book ideas and public art projects.
I love to explore new contexts where illustration art can enhance our environment and improve our wellbeing. I often collaborate with others across creative disciplines to create multi-sensory, multi-disciplinary artworks for public space. I have a lot of experience in organising creative workshops and participatory art projects.
EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Helsinki City & ALA Architects, Institut Finlandais Paris, Grafia, JKMM Architects, Naantali Music Festival, Turku City, Hanko City, Svenska Kulturfonden i Björneborg
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
Click to see more about the project.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Public art / EMMA Espoo Modern Art Museum, Metsola Nursery School
The works won gold prize in ADC*E Awards, silver prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards and Highly Commended prise in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2023.
Magazine illustration / Grafia
Magazine illustration / Grafia
Click to see more about the project.
Magazine illustration / Grafia
Magazine illustration / Grafia
Illustration for visual identity / Naantali Music Festival
Graphic design by Duran Creative
Illustration for visual identity / Naantali Music Festival
Click to see more about the project.
Illustration for visual identity / Naantali Music Festival
Graphic design by Duran Creative
Illustration for visual identity / Naantali Music Festival
Graphic design by Duran Creative
Illustration for visual identity / Naantali Music Festival
Graphic design by Duran Creative
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Click to see more about the project.
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Children's book illustration / Etana Editions, Restless Books
Originally published in Finland by Etana Editions. Written by Aino Järvinen. Translated into English, Chinese, and Latvian.
Shortlisted in Rudolf Koivu Awards 2017, shortlisted in the V&A Awards in 2021
Public art, illustrated rug / Oodi Helsinki Central Library
The Oodi art rug project won sivler prize in Grafia’s Best Finnish Visual Design Awards in 2019
Public art, illustrated rug / Oodi Helsinki Central Library
Click to see more about the project.
Mural painting / Hanko City
The mural won Highly commended award in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2022
Photos by Tapio Kekkonen
Mural painting / Hanko City
Click to see more about the project.
Mural painting / Hanko City
The mural won Highly commended award in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2022
Photos by Tapio Kekkonen
Mural painting / Hanko City
The mural won Highly commended award in Wolrd Illustration Awards in 2022
Photos by Tapio Kekkonen