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Ilja Karsikas

Hi! Nice that you ended up here!

I am Ilja Karsikas – an illustrator, graphic designer and picture book author. I’m living in Helsinki, Finland, working at Super 8 studio in Kallio.

I’ve been working as a professional illustrator and graphic designer since 2003 when I graduated from Lahti Institute of Design. During the past years I’ve done a lot of editorial and corporate illustrations, children’s book illustrations, book covers and music related illustrations. At the moment I’m working with public art and children’s book projects, for example.

I’m open for many kind of commissions so don’t hesitate to get in touch! As an commercial illustrator I'm represented by Napa Arts & Licensing Agency.

I have worked with visual identities, children’s books, book covers, advertising, editorials etc.

My visual world is cohesive, harmonious and beautiful. Warm humour and storytelling are often at the heart of my illustrations. I create both small-scale, sensitive and touching works, but also large-scale public works with the working group Naapurit.

Finnish institutions:
Finnish Post, YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company, Helsinki University, Kirkko Helsingissä (Church in Helsinki), Human Rights Centre in Finland, National audit Office of Finland VTV

Music related clients:
Ruisrock festival, Universal Music Finland, Suomen Musiikki

Publishing houses:
Kustantamo S&S, Tammi, Otava, WSOY, Etana Editions, Gummerus, Nemo

Commercial clients:
Elisa, Kemira, Wärtsilä, Stockmann etc.

Editorial illustration / Yliopisto journal, University of Helsinki

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Editorial illustration / Yliopisto journal, University of Helsinki

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Editorial illustration / Yliopisto journal, University of Helsinki

Editorial illustration / Mikkeli Lutheran Parish

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Editorial illustration / Mikkeli Lutheran Parish

Children's book / S&S Publishing

“Myrsky & Valo” (Storm & Light). Storm and Light are best friends and the most important people to each other. But in personality they are total opposites. Storm hungers for wild adventures, while Light traverses imaginary paths inside his head. Storm & Light is a tender story of friendship and love. The individual stories of the characters interlace, and big questions of love and human connection overlap with the adventure. The book is published by Kustantamo S&S.

Children's book / S&S Publishing

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Children's book / S&S Publishing

Book illustration / Panama-levyt records

Music album and book ”Uraanisiipi” includes richly illustrated 52 paged short story. The album is also available in all streaming platforms as well as in LP, cassette, MiniDisc and CD format.

You can order all the physical formats in Panama-levyt webshop. Listen the album and singles in Spotify, YouTube or in other streaming platforms.

Branding Cover art Illustrative art Picture book Arts and Culture Prints for sale

Book illustration / Panama-levyt records

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Branding Cover art +4

Book illustration / Panama-levyt records

Music album and book ”Uraanisiipi” includes richly illustrated 52 paged short story. The album is also available in all streaming platforms as well as in LP, cassette, MiniDisc and CD format.

You can order all the physical formats in Panama-levyt webshop. Listen the album and singles in Spotify, YouTube or in other streaming platforms.

Branding Cover art Illustrative art Picture book Arts and Culture Prints for sale

Children's book / S&S Publishing

“Yksisarvinen” (The Unicorn) book deals with complicated relationships in family. It’s a warm yet melancholic story about love and hunting of unreachable dreams. The book is published by Kustantamo S&S.

Children's book / S&S Publishing

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Children's book / S&S Publishing

Memoir, book illustration / Karsikas & Karsikas

Rantakadun rappusilta / Karsikas & Karsikas (Self-published, 2021)

Rantakadun rappusilta is a collection of short stories that takes place in 1950’s Hämeenlinna. The book is written by Helena Karsikas, and illustrated and designed by Ilja Karsikas.

Picture book

Memoir, book illustration / Karsikas & Karsikas

Click to see more about the project.

Picture book

Memoir, book illustration / Karsikas & Karsikas

Rantakadun rappusilta / Karsikas & Karsikas (Self-published, 2021)

Rantakadun rappusilta is a collection of short stories that takes place in 1950’s Hämeenlinna. The book is written by Helena Karsikas, and illustrated and designed by Ilja Karsikas.

Picture book

Memoir, book illustration / Karsikas & Karsikas

Rantakadun rappusilta / Karsikas & Karsikas (Self-published, 2021)

Rantakadun rappusilta is a collection of short stories that takes place in 1950’s Hämeenlinna. The book is written by Helena Karsikas, and illustrated and designed by Ilja Karsikas.

Picture book

Memoir, book illustration / Karsikas & Karsikas

Rantakadun rappusilta / Karsikas & Karsikas (Self-published, 2021)

Rantakadun rappusilta is a collection of short stories that takes place in 1950’s Hämeenlinna. The book is written by Helena Karsikas, and illustrated and designed by Ilja Karsikas.

Picture book