Pirita Tolvanen
Hi! I am Pirita Tolvanen, an Illustrator and Information Designer from Finland. I'm passionate about illustrating data.
My debut non-fiction picture book The Flying Finn – Life of Jarno Saarinen was highly commended at the World Illustration Awards in 2019. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland. The second non-fiction picture book I illustrated, Rally Team, was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021. It received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19.
I am a Fulbright alumni: My scholar project in 2021-2022 combined data visualization and children's nonfiction picture books. I continued the research in Finland after the grant period and as an outcome I published a Manifesto on Illustrating Data. I write a blog called Illustrating Data (illustratingdata.com).
I am particularly good at map illustration and illustrating accessible data and infographics. I love working with charts, graphs, and other numerical data. My style is perfect for technical subjects such as vehicles or heart rate monitors.
Publishers Weekly (US), several ministries and other public organizations as well as magazines in Finland.
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry of Justice, Publishers Weekly (US), Ulkopolitiikka Magazine, Vuokranantaja Magazine, Osuustoiminta Magazine, The Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers, YLE, The Finnish League for Human Rights, Edita Publishing, Ketokamu, Ministry of the Environment, City of Tampere, The Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Rally Team Nonfiction Picture Book / Tammi Publishing
Rallitalli is my motorsports children’s book number 2. Written by Pasi Lönn, illustration and graphic design by me. The book’s illustrations received a Merit Award in the 3×3 International Illustration Annual No.19. The book was chosen to the collection of the Most Beautiful Books of 2021.
The jury writes: ”The charts and statistics are particularly interesting and joyful. The controlled colour palette and solid layout do a great job of keeping the information understandable.”
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Football Fans / X magazine
Click to see more about the project.
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Football Fans / X magazine
Set of editorial illustrations for an article about different types of football fans, just before the big European Cup in June 2021.
Books Are Essential / Publishers Weekly
Cover illustration for Publishers Weekly and their social media campaign with the same title, 4/2020.
Books Are Essential / Publishers Weekly
Click to see more about the project.
Map illustration / Church in Vantaa
Map illustration / Church in Vantaa
Click to see more about the project.
Pop up maps / Espoo Lutheran Church
Map illustrations for pop up maps, 2021.
Pop up maps / Espoo Lutheran Church
Click to see more about the project.
Pop up maps / Espoo Lutheran Church
Map illustrations for pop up maps, 2021.
Real estate in Spain / Magazine of the Finnish Landlord Association
Real estate in Spain / Magazine of the Finnish Landlord Association
Click to see more about the project.
Real estate in Spain / Magazine of the Finnish Landlord Association
Real estate in Spain / Magazine of the Finnish Landlord Association
Real estate in Spain / Magazine of the Finnish Landlord Association
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
The Flying Finn Nonfiction Picture Book / Myllylahti Publishing
My debut nonfiction picture book that tells the story of a road racer legend Jarno Saarinen. I wrote and illustrated the story and did the layout design.
Besides the story of Saarinen, the book displays motorcycle road racing of the era with technical attention. The book’s illustrations were highly commended at the World Illustration Awards. The book was chosen a finalist for the Sports Book of the Year 2018 in Finland.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Accessible infographics on social integration for a publication for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Click to see more about the project.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Accessible infographics on social integration for a publication for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Accessible infographics on social integration for a publication for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Accessible infographics on social integration for a publication for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Social integration / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Accessible infographics on social integration for a publication for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Heart rate meter / Runners Magazine
An exploded view on a heart rate meter
Heart rate meter / Runners Magazine
Click to see more about the project.
Geopolitical players / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Cover and article illustration 04/2020. Art Director Teemu Pokela.
Geopolitical players / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Click to see more about the project.
Geopolitical players / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Cover and article illustration 04/2020. Art Director Teemu Pokela.
Beyond two degrees / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Cover and article illustration 2/2019. Art Director Teemu Pokela.
Beyond two degrees / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Click to see more about the project.
Beyond two degrees / Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs
Cover and article illustration 2/2019. Art Director Teemu Pokela.
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Click to see more about the project.
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation
Sports & Ethics
Illustrations for an article series on sports & ethics, 2014-2017. Client: (former) Finnish Sports Federation