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Maria Vilja

Hi, I am Maria Vilja, an illustrator from Helsinki. I illustrate children's books, magazines and online content. I am inspired by people, children, sensitivity, everyday life, society, psychology, grittiness, diversity, nature and details, to name a few. I am interested in the point where the conventional meets the magical. I like to work in many different styles, always according to the client's needs and desires. Lately I have been fascinated by digital drawing with a painterly touch. I enjoy colors and line work.

I have illustrated a lot of journalistic content on mental health and child welfare. I get a lot of good feedback for illustrating difficult subjects with a hopeful approach and carefully considered details. My children's book series Näkymätön reppu (Invisible Backpack) deals with sensitivity, and the exhibition and workshop based on the series have been well received.

Tehy - The Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland, Kavi – National Audiovisual Institute, Lääkärilehti (The Finnish Medical Journal), Karisto, WSOY Publishing, Advokaatti Magazine, Tekstin talo ry, Tunne & Mieli Magazine, Lapsen maailma Magazine, Kirjapaja Publishing, Kotimaa Magazine, Kirkko ja Kaupunki Magazine

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer (Maria Vilja, WSOY, 2024) is a children’s book about a small family’s summer trip. Big emotions take place when not everything goes exactly as planned. In the end sun is shining again.

 

Character art Children’s book Educational Illustrative art Picture book Children Humor Inclusivity Nature People Summer Available for Licensing

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Children’s book +10
The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer (Maria Vilja, WSOY, 2024) is a children’s book about a small family’s summer trip. Big emotions take place when not everything goes exactly as planned. In the end sun is shining again.

 

Character art Children’s book Educational Illustrative art Picture book Children Humor Inclusivity Nature People Summer Available for Licensing
The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer (Maria Vilja, WSOY, 2024) is a children’s book about a small family’s summer trip. Big emotions take place when not everything goes exactly as planned. In the end sun is shining again.

 

Character art Children’s book Educational Illustrative art Picture book Children Humor Inclusivity Nature People Summer Available for Licensing
The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer (Maria Vilja, WSOY, 2024) is a children’s book about a small family’s summer trip. Big emotions take place when not everything goes exactly as planned. In the end sun is shining again.

 

Character art Children’s book Educational Illustrative art Picture book Children Humor Inclusivity Nature People Summer Available for Licensing
The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer

The Only Beautiful Day Of Summer (Maria Vilja, WSOY, 2024) is a children’s book about a small family’s summer trip. Big emotions take place when not everything goes exactly as planned. In the end sun is shining again.

 

Character art Children’s book Educational Illustrative art Picture book Children Humor Inclusivity Nature People Summer Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing

Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Children’s book +9
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
Näkymätön reppu book series / Karisto

Näkymätön reppu (The Invisible Backpack) is a book about sensitivity (Maria Vilja, 2022). Villikissareppu (The Wildcatbackpack) is next part of the series (2023).

Character art Children’s book Educational Knowledge visualization Picture book Adventure Children Family Home People Available for Licensing
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing

The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Editorial +8
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing
The Friendship Test / Kirkko ja kaupunki Magazine

Kirkko ja kaupunki magazine commissioned me to illustrate an article on friendship and a friendship test related to it.

Character art Editorial Educational Knowledge visualization City Emotions People Society Spirituality Available for Licensing
Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

I’ve illustrated the Lapsen maailma (Child’s World) Magazine since 2016.

Character art Editorial Children Family Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing Work Available for Licensing

Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Editorial +8
Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

I’ve illustrated the Lapsen maailma (Child’s World) Magazine since 2016.

Character art Editorial Children Family Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing Work Available for Licensing
Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

I’ve illustrated the Lapsen maailma (Child’s World) Magazine since 2016.

Character art Editorial Children Family Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing Work Available for Licensing
Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

I’ve illustrated the Lapsen maailma (Child’s World) Magazine since 2016.

Character art Editorial Children Family Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing Work Available for Licensing
Illustrations / Lapsen maailma Magazine

I’ve illustrated the Lapsen maailma (Child’s World) Magazine since 2016.

Character art Editorial Children Family Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing Work Available for Licensing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing

Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Editorial +7
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Illustrations / Tunne & Mieli Magazine

I’ve created illustrations for the Tunne & Mieli Magazine since 2017.

Character art Editorial Social Media Children Emotions Inclusivity People Social and health care Wellbeing
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work

Maps / Tehy Magazine

Click to see more about the project.

Editorial Infographics +7
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Maps / Tehy Magazine

Tehy Magazine has commissioned map illustrations from me for articles about nurses working abroad.

Editorial Infographics City Maps People Social and health care Society Travel Work
Illustration / Lääkärilehti Magazine

I created illustrations and a cover for an article in Lääkärilehti (The Finnish Medical Journal) on the various practices in the field of short-term therapy.

Character art Cover art Editorial People Social and health care Society Wellbeing Available for Licensing

Illustration / Lääkärilehti Magazine

Click to see more about the project.

Character art Cover art +6
Illustration / Lääkärilehti Magazine

I created illustrations and a cover for an article in Lääkärilehti (The Finnish Medical Journal) on the various practices in the field of short-term therapy.

Character art Cover art Editorial People Social and health care Society Wellbeing Available for Licensing
Illustration / Lääkärilehti Magazine

I created illustrations and a cover for an article in Lääkärilehti (The Finnish Medical Journal) on the various practices in the field of short-term therapy.

Character art Cover art Editorial People Social and health care Society Wellbeing Available for Licensing
See more illustrations in these categories
Character art Infographics Cover art Picture book Illustrative art Children’s book Editorial Educational Social Media Knowledge visualization Spirituality Humor Wellbeing People Maps City Summer Home Children Nature Travel Inclusivity Family Adventure Social and health care Emotions Work Society Available for Licensing