Eija Vehviläinen is an illustrator and visual designer based in Helsinki, Finland. We first got in touch in the midst of lockdown, whilst Finland was coming out of a long and dark winter. Eija’s use of bright and bold colours, interesting shapes, and playful compositions as well as references to nature quickly stole our hearts and inspired us to work on something together.

How did you start your journey as an illustrator/visual designer?

I studied graphic design at the university but realised pretty soon that illustration was my main interest. So after I graduated, I slowly started to focus on bettering my skills and becoming more confident as an illustrator.

How did you develop your style?

I've always enjoyed drawing and creating stuff, so my style has developed quite naturally over the years. I'm still learning but I'm sure studying graphic design has affected my illustration style a lot.

What are some of your favourite motifs to work with and what inspires your art?

Plants and flowers for sure! I also like to draw characters that are a bit quirky or otherwise "off". Shape is also super important – I pay a lot of attention to shape and proportions when drawing.

How did you develop the illustration for SkatePal?

We chose the female skater with a flower blooming in the background. The illustration is basically about progress and female empowerment; she's going forward, fast!

How do you find working with colour and what's your process behind deciding on a colour scheme?

The use of colours might actually be something that makes my illustrations so bold and distinctive. I like to combine different colours quite fearlessly and intuitively, but I also put time and effort into choosing the right hues and combinations.

You tend to work with brands of similar values, with sustainability at the forefront, what is your experience of this so far?

It's challenging but rewarding. I was really struggling with the industry when I was a student and felt that the commercial world wasn't a place for a sensitive soul like me (or for anyone for that matter). As a designer, I feel responsible for my work and its possible impact on the environment and the people. However, I'm glad to say I've been able to work with many clients that share the same beliefs and values. I know it's a privilege and I will not take it for granted.

What are some of your favourite projects so far?

Best projects are usually about the people you work with. I value communication and sharing ideas and believe that it will affect the end result more than anything else.

Do you have any exciting plans for the future?

The best (and probably the worst) part of being an illustrator is that you never really know what kinds of projects you'll be getting next! So we'll see :-)

Make sure to check out Eija’s work on her Instagram.

The IWD tee and hat are both available through our shop.

100% of proceeds support out projects in Palestine and our efforts to increase female participation in skateboarding.