Anna Mu
Hi, my name is Anna Mu (she/her) and I'm a freelance illustrator, animator, and graphic designer based in Helsinki.
I create impactful visuals for education, health, environment, sustainability, and social issues. I feel strongly about biodiversity, climate change, womens’, minorities’ and queer rights. For me, there's nothing more rewarding than using my creativity to make a positive difference in the world.
When it comes to working together, I believe in building strong and collaborative relationships with my clients. I like to get to know their vision, understand their needs, and offer creative solutions that meet their goals.
My schedule is flexible, and I'm always open to new opportunities. When I'm not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my cat and daughter, practising yoga, and contemporary dance.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential collaboration, please don't hesitate to contact me!
I specialise in working in a graphic style with great attention to detail. I enjoy working with big teams and translating complex concepts into beautiful visuals. I'm proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, as well as hand drawing. I love creating fun characters and worlds around them.
Kone Foundation, Oh Mag UK, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Scope Impact and Finnish Nature Magazine are some of the fantastic organisations I've had the opportunity to work with lately.
My leadership skills and ability to manage complex projects were developed during my time as Lead Designer at Aalto University, where I oversaw the university's visual communication and played a key role in the brand refresh process. I've also worked as an AD for the Finnish Ministry of the Environment's publication and have experience in agency life.
Editorial illustration / Kone Foundation
Illustrations for the article “Different Routes: Russia’s information warfare…”, which explains in detail how Russian propaganda covered the Russian – Ukrainian relationship.
Editorial illustration / Kone Foundation
Click to see more about the project.
Editorial illustration / Kone Foundation
Illustrations for the article “Different Routes: Russia’s information warfare…”, which explains in detail how Russian propaganda covered the Russian – Ukrainian relationship.
Editorial illustration / Kone Foundation
Illustrations for the article “Different Routes: Russia’s information warfare…”, which explains in detail how Russian propaganda covered the Russian – Ukrainian relationship.
Editorial illustration / Oh Mag UK
Editorial illustration for Oh Mag UK for the article ”Wild Magic”.
Why have people been drawn to witchcraft recently? Is it about a desire to work with nature, the need to reconnect mindfully with ourselves in an age of Zoom fatigue, or a way of taking control in our lives when everything seems so uncertain?
I wanted to keep the illustrations on the fence between normal and magic worlds — to avoid the traditional witchy aesthetics and show a more contemporary relationship to ritual and magic.
Editorial illustration / Oh Mag UK
Click to see more about the project.
Editorial illustration / Oh Mag UK
Editorial illustration for Oh Mag UK for the article ”Wild Magic”.
Why have people been drawn to witchcraft recently? Is it about a desire to work with nature, the need to reconnect mindfully with ourselves in an age of Zoom fatigue, or a way of taking control in our lives when everything seems so uncertain?
I wanted to keep the illustrations on the fence between normal and magic worlds — to avoid the traditional witchy aesthetics and show a more contemporary relationship to ritual and magic.
Editorial illustration / Oh Mag UK
Editorial illustration for Oh Mag UK for the article ”Wild Magic”.
Why have people been drawn to witchcraft recently? Is it about a desire to work with nature, the need to reconnect mindfully with ourselves in an age of Zoom fatigue, or a way of taking control in our lives when everything seems so uncertain?
I wanted to keep the illustrations on the fence between normal and magic worlds — to avoid the traditional witchy aesthetics and show a more contemporary relationship to ritual and magic.
Educational animation Blueberry Cafe / Natural Resources Institute Finland
The animation provides children with a wealth of information about blueberries in delicious form. In addition to increasing blueberry awareness, the animation aspires to inspire children, and why not parents, to take an interest in nearby nature and forests.
Educational animation Blueberry Cafe / Natural Resources Institute Finland
Click to see more about the project.
Educational animation Blueberry Cafe / Natural Resources Institute Finland
The animation provides children with a wealth of information about blueberries in delicious form. In addition to increasing blueberry awareness, the animation aspires to inspire children, and why not parents, to take an interest in nearby nature and forests.
Educational animation Blueberry Cafe / Natural Resources Institute Finland
The animation provides children with a wealth of information about blueberries in delicious form. In addition to increasing blueberry awareness, the animation aspires to inspire children, and why not parents, to take an interest in nearby nature and forests.
Educational animation Blueberry Cafe / Natural Resources Institute Finland
The animation provides children with a wealth of information about blueberries in delicious form. In addition to increasing blueberry awareness, the animation aspires to inspire children, and why not parents, to take an interest in nearby nature and forests.
Cover illustration / Virke magazine
VIRKE is a magazine of the Finnish Language Teachers’ association which turns 75 this year.
The four cover illustrations of the year reflect the 75-year long journey from the founding of the union to the present day, and also have a glimpse to the future while depicting casual life moments of a Finnish teacher for each period.
Cover illustration / Virke magazine
Click to see more about the project.
Cover illustration / Virke magazine
VIRKE is a magazine of the Finnish Language Teachers’ association which turns 75 this year.
The four cover illustrations of the year reflect the 75-year long journey from the founding of the union to the present day, and also have a glimpse to the future while depicting casual life moments of a Finnish teacher for each period.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
Click to see more about the project.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
Burn Ecocide / Pixelache Helsinki Festival
“Ecocide is human activity that violates the principles of environmental justice, as by substantially damaging or destroying ecosystems or by harming the health and well-being of a species.” The artwork talks about the high sea’s ice melting due to global warming and its impact. The ice is the home of ice algae, the main food source of the Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill, in its turn, is the main food source for the Humpback whales. Whales fertilise phytoplankton growth by bringing nutrients to the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are responsible for capturing 40 percent of all CO2 produced and are responsible for at least 50 percent of all oxygen on earth. The whole delicate balance is disturbed, and it’s time to recognise that healthy ecosystems are vital for healthy humankind.
On Domestication of Dogs / Suomen Luonto
Illustrations for Suomen Luonto (Finnish Nature) magazine article about the domestication of dogs from wild wolves during the ice age. I wanted to show the full transformation from wolf into a modern dog — from sharing the leftover meat with a wolf to having an emotional bond with a dog.
On Domestication of Dogs / Suomen Luonto
Click to see more about the project.
On Domestication of Dogs / Suomen Luonto
Illustrations for Suomen Luonto (Finnish Nature) magazine article about the domestication of dogs from wild wolves during the ice age. I wanted to show the full transformation from wolf into a modern dog — from sharing the leftover meat with a wolf to having an emotional bond with a dog.
On Domestication of Dogs / Suomen Luonto
Illustrations for Suomen Luonto (Finnish Nature) magazine article about the domestication of dogs from wild wolves during the ice age. I wanted to show the full transformation from wolf into a modern dog — from sharing the leftover meat with a wolf to having an emotional bond with a dog.
Hair trade article / Kone Foundation
I wanted to hold the complexity of the subject gently by showing the hair trade cycle in a non-judgmental way. I also added a spotlight from the phone to suggest that we see only the end result on the hair trade cycle that is a curated image of others. To tie the composition together, I was inspired by Alfons Mucha’s kind of avalanche of hair.
Hair trade article / Kone Foundation
Click to see more about the project.
Hair trade article / Kone Foundation
I wanted to hold the complexity of the subject gently by showing the hair trade cycle in a non-judgmental way. I also added a spotlight from the phone to suggest that we see only the end result on the hair trade cycle that is a curated image of others. To tie the composition together, I was inspired by Alfons Mucha’s kind of avalanche of hair.