About me


 
I bring curiosity, openness and a genuine interest in people to my work. I enjoy exchanging ideas and experimenting to create thoughtful, distinctive visual solutions. I believe the process should also leave room for dialogue, humour 
and the pleasure of making something together.

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Education

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Master of Arts
in Visual Communication Design
Aalto University, 2025 — Present

Bachelor of Arts
in Communication Design
HSE University, 2020 — 2024

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Experience 

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Visual Communication Designer

Architecture & Design Museum, 
Helsinki · Internship
May 2025

Graphic and Type Designer

Terminal Design Agency 
Full-time

September 2023 — June 2024

Graphic Designer

Helsinki Photo Festival 
Internship 

May 2022 — July 2022

Freelance Graphic Designer

Independent practice

2020 — Present

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Exhibitions

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Relational Design

Raskroi, St. Petersburg, 2023

Design Triathlon

Raskroi, St. Petersburg, 2022

Poster. Sign. Book.

Russian Museum of Ethnography, 
St. Petersburg, 2021

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Awards

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Sreda Festival of New Design
Bronze — Custom Typeface, SWG, 
2024

ADCR Awards
Bronze — Typography, Scanway,
2024

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Skills

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Branding & Identity
Brand Development
Typography
Type Design
Editorial Design
Print Design
Packaging
Motion Design
Project Management

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Languages

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English — C1 (Advanced)
Finnish — B1 (Intermediate)
German — B1 (Intermediate)
Russian — Native

Alisa SaarikBrand & Type Designer alisasaarik@gmail.com, LinkedIn ↗

Fill This Space
Visual Identity
2025    
Client: Architecture & Design Museum

Development of a mascot character and visual system for a summer architecture school for teenagers at Architecture and Design Museum, covering the seasonal exhibition and internal communications.

Scanway Type Family
Font Development
2024
Client: SWG company


*Bronze at the
ADCR Awards 2024
SWG Typeface is a custom font family created for Scanway, a workwear brand undergoing a visual identity redesign. Inspired by brutalist principles and the character of its audience, the typeface combines raw geometric forms with a softer, more human quality. Its design is based on the interaction between circular and rectangular shapes, reflecting a balance of strength and softness. Each letter is built on contrasts, creating a dynamic and memorable style. The family includes display and text styles designed for different levels of brand communication.

The Evolution of Graphic Design
in the Context of Finland's Branding
Editorial Design
2023
Study project
The research explores how brand attributes are localized and adapted in foreign markets, focusing on the case of Finnish brands entering Russian market. It investigates how these brands adopt their original values to align with local cultural preferences while preserving their core identity. The study examines the transformation of brand values 
in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, comparing Finnish and Russian markets. It highlights the evolution of similar brands under the influence of distinct cultural and market forces, offering insights into the interplay between globalization and local adaptation.

Another New Language
Zine
2024
Study project
This project reflects a deeply personal theme, inspired by my journey of learning Finnish, the fourth language in my life. Every day, I face new challenges, which lead me to reflect on the process of developing language skills and how my mind absorbs new information. The result of this work is a visual interpretation of the cognitive processes that accompany this journey. This zine transforms abstract thoughts into tangible images, helping to understand and capture the dynamics of learning.

The Great Finnish Architects
Editorial Design
2023
Study project
The series of books is dedicated to the famous architects of Finland who have shaped  the modern appearance of the country and opened new avenues in the field of art.

The Art of Aging
Exibition design   2022
Client: Arianne Clément & Helsinki Photo Festival

Arianne Clément photo exhibition at Stoa gallery in Helsinki, where I was responsible for the design and production of printed materials and the creation of photo compositions in the gallery. My role was to design and produce advertising and information printed materials.

Vietnamese Restaurant Branding
Brand design
2022
Client: Viet BaoStudy project
Identity for a Vietnamese restaurant in Lappeenranta in Finland.  The "Vietnamese bun" has become a symbol of sincere kindness and warmth, a guide to the world of childhood and Asian culture. 

Aalto font
Font Development
2022
Study project
Development of an accidental font with a Finnish mood, inspired by the works of Alvar Aalto. It incorporates a combination of functionalism, dictating strict formality, and soft, smooth organic elements.

Children's illustrations for the museum
Illustration
2022
Study project
The main issue with the St. Petersburg Zoological Museum was the large number of intimidating taxidermied animals that could discourage preschool and school-aged children from engaging with science and natural history. I am addressing this by creating more friendly illustrations that will make the museum accessible and engaging for children and families, inspiring them to explore nature and the sciences.

Top © 2026 Alisa Saarik. All rights reserved.