Samuli Siirala
Hi, my name is Samuli Siirala (he/him) and I’m a Finnish illustrator. I specialize in editorial, advertising and textbook illustration and I have a background in comics and filmmaking.
I am inspired by nature, music, street culture and personalities – my characters have character.
I work well with both light and dark subject matters – humour is a big part of my work but I also have extensive experience in illustrating global issues. Storytelling is a central aspect of my work; my comic strips have been featured in multiple magazines.
Editorial, advertising, school book illustration, animated illustrations.
Occasionally, I use traditional techniques like gouache, watercolour and acrylic for effect but my main domain is digital art.
Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, Affinity, Moho, Apple Motion
I am also a photographer.
Posti Group, Eckerö Lines, Clear Channel, SanomaPro, Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Kokkikartano, Viipurilainen, Taloon.com, Lahti Cleantech, Black Flag Beverages, Blind Spot Pictures, Suomen Kuvalehti, Kuluttaja magazine, GoGolf magazine, Hartwall Point magazine, The Finnish National Rescue Association, The Finnish Foreign Ministry, Helsinki city, Tampere city, Vesilahti municipality, Akava trade union, The Finnish Red Cross
Operation Pirkanmaa / City of Tampere
Operation Pirkanmaa is a Tampere city project which focuses on making Tampere the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The illustrations showcase the varied cultural offerings of the reason focusing on street culture and nature – the culture that exists around residents occupying the same space.
The logo draws on the coat of arms of Pirkanmaa and alludes to the emphasis on street culture with the spray bottle but also to Tampere’s past as an industrial hub.
Operation Pirkanmaa / City of Tampere
Click to see more about the project.
Operation Pirkanmaa / City of Tampere
Operation Pirkanmaa is a Tampere city project which focuses on making Tampere the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The illustrations showcase the varied cultural offerings of the reason focusing on street culture and nature – the culture that exists around residents occupying the same space.
The logo draws on the coat of arms of Pirkanmaa and alludes to the emphasis on street culture with the spray bottle but also to Tampere’s past as an industrial hub.
Operation Pirkanmaa / City of Tampere
Operation Pirkanmaa is a Tampere city project which focuses on making Tampere the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The illustrations showcase the varied cultural offerings of the reason focusing on street culture and nature – the culture that exists around residents occupying the same space.
The logo draws on the coat of arms of Pirkanmaa and alludes to the emphasis on street culture with the spray bottle but also to Tampere’s past as an industrial hub.
Operation Pirkanmaa / City of Tampere
Operation Pirkanmaa is a Tampere city project which focuses on making Tampere the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The illustrations showcase the varied cultural offerings of the reason focusing on street culture and nature – the culture that exists around residents occupying the same space.
The logo draws on the coat of arms of Pirkanmaa and alludes to the emphasis on street culture with the spray bottle but also to Tampere’s past as an industrial hub.
Commercial Campaign / Clear Channel
This was a high visibility campaign targeting advertisers during the 2021 Summer – Winter seasons when covid lockdown had just been lifted.
Commercial Campaign / Clear Channel
Click to see more about the project.
Commercial Campaign / Clear Channel
This was a high visibility campaign targeting advertisers during the 2021 Summer – Winter seasons when covid lockdown had just been lifted.
Valentine's Day Stamps / Posti Group
Valentine’s Day is called Friend’s Day in Finland, so these stamps focus on the beauty of friendship – the way people choose to stay together without the strong ties that come with a romantic relationship, just because they enjoy each others’ company.
We chose to focus on the joy which creates those core memories along the years, the moments you don’t want to end, when everything is fine.
I chose different kinds of friendships and different reasons for friendships. I wanted to show how a grandparent’s relationship with a grandchild can reopen a gateway to their own childlike enthusiasm. I wanted to include subcultures because they often create strong bonds and act as sanctuaries. Above all, I wanted to show the acceptance in friendships.
Valentine's Day Stamps / Posti Group
Click to see more about the project.
Valentine's Day Stamps / Posti Group
Valentine’s Day is called Friend’s Day in Finland, so these stamps focus on the beauty of friendship – the way people choose to stay together without the strong ties that come with a romantic relationship, just because they enjoy each others’ company.
We chose to focus on the joy which creates those core memories along the years, the moments you don’t want to end, when everything is fine.
I chose different kinds of friendships and different reasons for friendships. I wanted to show how a grandparent’s relationship with a grandchild can reopen a gateway to their own childlike enthusiasm. I wanted to include subcultures because they often create strong bonds and act as sanctuaries. Above all, I wanted to show the acceptance in friendships.
Valentine's Day Stamps / Posti Group
Valentine’s Day is called Friend’s Day in Finland, so these stamps focus on the beauty of friendship – the way people choose to stay together without the strong ties that come with a romantic relationship, just because they enjoy each others’ company.
We chose to focus on the joy which creates those core memories along the years, the moments you don’t want to end, when everything is fine.
I chose different kinds of friendships and different reasons for friendships. I wanted to show how a grandparent’s relationship with a grandchild can reopen a gateway to their own childlike enthusiasm. I wanted to include subcultures because they often create strong bonds and act as sanctuaries. Above all, I wanted to show the acceptance in friendships.
The Journey of Christmas Porridge advertising illustration / Kokkikartano
The journey of Christmas porridge from the cooking pot to the Christmas table, illustrated in the style of classic Christmas cards
The Journey of Christmas Porridge advertising illustration / Kokkikartano
Click to see more about the project.
The Journey of Christmas Porridge advertising illustration / Kokkikartano
The journey of Christmas porridge from the cooking pot to the Christmas table, illustrated in the style of classic Christmas cards