
I´m a graphic designer from Helsinki, Finland. At the moment I´m living in Lisbon, Portugal.
As a designer, my main focus
is in visual identities, layouts and illustrations.
I also have a passion for social media stuff.
I´m currently looking for freelance jobs. Contact me: saara.helkala (at) gmail.com


CURRICULUM VITAE / SAARA HELKALA / +351 964 830 545
PERSONAL DETAILS
Born: 20th June 1980
Jyväskylä, Finland
Nationality: Finnish
EDUCATION
Master of Design and Visual
Culture, 2017. IADE, Lisbon
Bachelor of Graphic Design,
2002-2006, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Upper Secondary School,
Matriculation examination,
1999, Jyväskylän Lyseon Lukio
WORK EXPERIENCE
Art Director, Demi magazine
A-lehdet
4/2012- 6/2015 (on studying
leave 6/2105-9/2017)
Creative, McCann Helsinki,
8/2010- 2/2012
Art Director, Redland Oy,
10/2009-5/2010
Production Art Director, TBWA
Helsinki, 5/2006-8/2009
Trainee, TBWA Helsinki,
5/2005-10/2005
Freelance illustrator & graphic
designer 2006 - present
Clients include: newspaper
Keskisuomalainen, YLE,
Huili -magazine, Osuuspankki, Karisto, 11helsinki, Familymatters, Welcome to Finland magazine, various advertising agencies and digital agencies.
AWARDS
Edit 2013, Digital innovation of
the year: Demi.fi awards
(Part of the team. Role: Art
director)
Hopeahuippu, 2009 (Vuoden
Huiput Advertising competi-
tion, second award)
Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä
TBWA Helsinki (Part of the team.
Role: Graphic designer)
Kultajyvät, Advertising com-
petition 2005, Second award,
TBWA Helsinki
Consumer advertising for
Veikkaus Oy (Part of the team.
Role: Graphic designer)
IT SKILLS
Adobe InDesign – excellent
Adobe Photoshop – excellent
Adobe Illustrator – excellent
Adobe Flash – some basics
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Finnish (native language)
English (excellent)
Swedish (basics)
Portuguese (beginner level)
French (can order wine)