Tuomas Kärkkäinen
Hello! I'm Tuomas Kärkkäinen, an illustrator and children's book author from Helsinki. In my work I often deal with social issues using a graphic formal language, strong colors and unexpected humor. I approach the world around me in a playful and critical way. I am often praised by clients for finding new perspectives on the subjects I work on.
I love music, literature and obscure pop culture references. I strongly believe that illustration needs to become more of an adult thing – and that children deserve at least the same quality of culture as adults.
I work in both Finnish and English. While I appreciate being trusted for my expertise, the best projects come from working with a small and dedicated team. I'm used to tight deadlines. When you work with me, everything from contracts to invoicing runs smoothly.
I'm a creative idea and concept developer specializing in editorial illustration. I also enjoy brand illustration, pattern design and light animation for my own illustrations. I'm currently working more or less entirely digital, but I'm careful to maintain a lively, warm style.
Pori Jazz Festival, Helsingin Sanomat, City of Helsinki, Suomen Kuvalehti, Viinilehti, Aalto University, S&S Publishing, Tammi Publishing, Huhtamäki, Sievo, Pure Waste, Studio CYL
Poster / Pori Jazz
The poster for Pori Jazz 2023 festival, on which the visual identity of the event was based.
Poster / Pori Jazz
Click to see more about the project.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about the common future of Finland and NATO.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
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Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about the common future of Finland and NATO.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about the common future of Finland and NATO.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Illustration for an article about the alleged decline of Finns’ knowledge of their own language.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Click to see more about the project.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Illustration for an article about the alleged decline of Finns’ knowledge of their own language.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Illustration for an article about the alleged decline of Finns’ knowledge of their own language.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about sore losers.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
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Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about sore losers.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about sore losers.
Editorial illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for an article about sore losers.
Cover illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for the cover of the Christmas issue of Suomen Kuvalehti, animated version for online use.
Cover illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
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Cover illustration / Suomen Kuvalehti
Illustration for the cover of the Christmas issue of Suomen Kuvalehti, animated version for online use.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Illustration for an article on French President Emmanuel Macron.
Editorial illustration / HS Teema
Click to see more about the project.
Number Animals / My project
A set of postcards especially for birthday wishes. The set can also be framed into a square poster for the kids’ room wall. There are a few cards left – please contact me if you are interested.
Number Animals / My project
Click to see more about the project.
Number Animals / My project
A set of postcards especially for birthday wishes. The set can also be framed into a square poster for the kids’ room wall. There are a few cards left – please contact me if you are interested.
Number Animals / My project
A set of postcards especially for birthday wishes. The set can also be framed into a square poster for the kids’ room wall. There are a few cards left – please contact me if you are interested.
Number Animals / My project
A set of postcards especially for birthday wishes. The set can also be framed into a square poster for the kids’ room wall. There are a few cards left – please contact me if you are interested.
Number Animals / My project
A set of postcards especially for birthday wishes. The set can also be framed into a square poster for the kids’ room wall. There are a few cards left – please contact me if you are interested.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Click to see more about the project.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Patterns / My project
Patterns created just for fun. Please contact me if you are interested in licensing.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Prints / Studio CYL
Click to see more about the project.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Prints / Studio CYL
Prints for sale on Studio CYL online store.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book I wrote and illustrated about strange creatures hidden in cities and how to find them. S&S Publishing, 2021. The book won the top Grand Prix prize in the Hiii Illustration competition and was a finalist for the Rudolf Koivu and Arvid Lydecken prizes.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / Tammi Publishing
A wild and humorous children’s book about the birth of a baby, written by Jani Nieminen and illustrated by me. Tammi Publishing, 2022. The cover of the book was awarded in the Most Beautiful Books 2022 competition.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book illustration / S&S Publishing
A book called Löydä oma polkusi (Find Your Own Path) for young people about career options and future plans, written by Meri Nykänen and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2020.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
Click to see more about the project.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.
Book project / S&S Publishing
A children’s book about a music festival written and illustrated by me. S&S Publishing, 2023.