Milla Laitinen
Hello, I'm Milla Laitinen (former: Paloniemi)! I am an illustrator, cartoonist, graphic designer, contemporary artist and a founder of Horse Art Center called Pony Farm. I am best known for my 2003 creation, Kiroileva Siili (The Cursing Hedgehog). I illustrate for a wide range of clients, from large advertising campaigns to small self-published books. My style is characterized by gentle and down-to-earth humor, expressive characters and a dynamic, relaxed drawing style. As an artist, I am passionate and fast.
I work at my best when drawing expressive characters which are easy to approach. I am also really fast. I´m in the right place specially when making live-illustrations in different events when my adaptibility and improvisationskills get to shine!
Kesko, Kotka Steam Brewery, Helsinki Poetry Connection, Hedon Oy
Kiroileva hiili (Swearing carbon) / Kesko Oyj
Kesko’s Kiroileva hiili (Swearing Carbon) campaign started in 2020 and is still ongoing. The hiili character was conceived together with advertising agency Wörks and is intended to encourage consumers to make carbon-neutral purchasing decisions. Hiili is a ”relative” or parody of the Kiroileva siili character I created, but with better manners.
Kiroileva hiili (Swearing carbon) / Kesko Oyj
Click to see more about the project.
Kiroileva hiili (Swearing carbon) / Kesko Oyj
Kesko’s Kiroileva hiili (Swearing Carbon) campaign started in 2020 and is still ongoing. The hiili character was conceived together with advertising agency Wörks and is intended to encourage consumers to make carbon-neutral purchasing decisions. Hiili is a ”relative” or parody of the Kiroileva siili character I created, but with better manners.
Label illustrations / Kotka Steam Brewery
A small brewery from Kotka, founded in 2017, asked me to design their logo and beer labels. The labels have received a lot of praise and over the years I have also visited their events several times to draw ”bird portraits” of their customers. https://www.kotkasteambrewery.com/oluet/
Label illustrations / Kotka Steam Brewery
Click to see more about the project.
Kerrostaloponi Kemppainen / Karisto Publishing
I got to illustrate a children’s book written by Päivi Lukkarila about a pony called Kemppainen, whom Aada finds in the stairwell of her apartment building. Karisto published the book in 2021.
https://www.karisto.fi/sivu/tuote/kerrostaloponi-kemppainen/3138724
Kerrostaloponi Kemppainen / Karisto Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Illustrations for campaigns / Animalia ry
Here are some illustrations I´ve made for Finnish animal rights organization. The pictures have been used in different campaigns and also some merchandise. We´ve started our collaboration in 2008 and it is still continuing.
Illustrations for campaigns / Animalia ry
Click to see more about the project.
Illustrations for campaigns / Animalia ry
Here are some illustrations I´ve made for Finnish animal rights organization. The pictures have been used in different campaigns and also some merchandise. We´ve started our collaboration in 2008 and it is still continuing.
Mr Kraa and Pah on the trail of the Sampo of words
The raven and the norpatti travel to Denmark and Holland. Back home in Björnköping they realize been visiting also the Kingdom of Words: Sanasampo.
This onomatopoetic frolic leads the reader to candid world of (Finnish) words and stories.
Age recommendation: 6 +
Technicue of illustrations: Colored pencils, ink.
Mr Kraa and Pah on the trail of the Sampo of words
Click to see more about the project.
The Cursing Hedgehog / The City of Kouvola
“Move your a** to Kouvola!” might sound a proper translation to this illustration. The joke is that Finns consider Kouvola very ugly city (it is not!) and call it by the name “Concrete Hell” so The Hedgehog basicly tells people to get the “hell” out of here (to Kouvola!).
The Cursing Hedgehog / The City of Kouvola
Click to see more about the project.
Illustration for the book of Finnish sexpalindromepoems
Well-known Finnish wordsmith Simo Frangén wanted to make this naughty little poetry book and I decided to illustrate it by using these pin-up/burlesque like characters.
Illustration for the book of Finnish sexpalindromepoems
Click to see more about the project.