2025
CREATIVE DIGITAL DESIGNER
VENLA VÄLIMAA
CREATIVE DIGITAL DESIGNER
VENLA VÄLIMAA
Hello! I’m Venla – digital designer. Human-centred design, functional design processes, captivating social media concepts and storytelling visuals are my core expertise. Here’s mine:
PORTFOLIO
GLAD YOU FOUND YOUR WAY HERE!
SHALL WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER A BIT?
I am a curious professional with a deep understanding of design principles, research methods, digital design and cross-disciplinary product development practices and social media marketing. My strength is translating concepts into viable solutions. I can articulate my design decisions and receive feedback in a productive way. My heart beats for creative marketing, content creation, brand development and UI & UX design.
HOW DID I GET INTO DIGITAL DESIGN?
I studied Media Assistant at Keuda Vocational College from 2016-2018. I applied directly for postgraduate studies and graduated from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in spring 2022 with a degree in Digital Design and Communications. So I am a media specialist in digital design and a media assistant by training.
Before and during my studies, I have worked as an entrepreneur. I have been able to implement a wide range of services for my clients, such as communication, graphic design, websites and much more.
Towards the end of my studies at the University of Applied Sciences, I started an internship as a communications assistant at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. After graduation, I stayed on at Metropolia as a communications specialist in the Creative Dimension team.
Olen utelias ammattilainen, jolla on syvällinen ymmärrys suunnitteluperiaatteista, tutkimusmenetelmistä, digitaalisesta suunnittelusta ja monialaisista tuotekehityskäytännöistä. Vahvuuteni on muuntaa konseptit toteuttamiskelpoisiksi ratkaisuiksi. Osaan ilmaista suunnittelupäätökseni sekä vastaanottaa palautetta tuottavalla tavalla. Sydämeni sykkii luovalle markkinoinnille, sisällöntuottamiselle, brändien kehittämiselle sekä UI- & UX-suunnittelulle.
I AM VERY GOOD AT THESE THINGS
Communications
Marketing
Graphic design
Website design & developing
Branding
Video & photography
Service Design
UI/UX – Design
Psst! I’m also pretty good at painting, cooking, going to concerts, exercising (running + pilates) and romanticising life.
The beauty of design is everywhere, but not everyone sees it. I love to combine visuals with strategic communication. I enjoy developing impactful campaigns where the stories and numbers come together.
Concrete Achievements
1. As a solo entrepreneur, I’ve worked with 14 companies across different industries. My longest client relationship has lasted 4 years.
2. I have a total of 7 years of experience in digital communication and design. For the past 3 years, I’ve worked as a Communications Specialist at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
3. I organically grew the @arabiankampus Instagram account to 2,300 highly engaged followers without any paid advertising.
4. My personal TikTok account has received a total of 170,000 likes across the videos I’ve published.
5. I applied human-centered methods such as user research and iterative prototyping – resulting in a functional prototype for a mobile application.
6. While working at Metropolia, I acted as a client and supervised four different student project groups.
7. My thesis, “How Companies Can Succeed in TikTok Marketing”, has been downloaded over 300 times and cited in two other academic works.
8. I have designed and implemented visual communication concepts that supported event marketing, increased participation rates, and strengthened brand identity across multiple channels.
Programme expertise
My strength is to learn different programs quickly.
ADOBE SOFTWARES
FIGMA
CANVA
MIRO
WORDPRESS
SQUARESPACE
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
TIKTOK STUDIO
CAPCUT
PLANOLY
LINKEDIN BUSINESS
GOOGLE ANALYTICS
GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE
META BUSINESS
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE STUDIO
MICROSOFT SOFTWARES
Showcase
A collection of the best bits from the work and projects I’ve had the chance to do..
CREATIVE DIMENSION – METROPOLIA UAS
Brand, Websites, Graphic design, Communications, Social media
Content of the work
Since January 2023, I have been the Communications Lead at Metropolia Creative Dimension, where my work has included: maintaining the website, planning and implementing social media marketing, brand development, comprehensive content production (image, text and video content), internal and external communications, and developing campus and communications through information displays and event posters. Before becoming Communications Lead, I worked as an assistant for digital communication and campaign coordination.
What is Creative Dimension?
Creative Dimension is a community platform on the Arabia campus of Metropolia UAS, whose mission is to showcase a diverse range of creative activities open to all, such as events, exhibitions, student works and concerts. The Arabia campus is home to 18 different cultural and creative degree programmes. Creative Dimension operates under the umbrella of Metropolia’s RDI activities.
Results of the work
While working in these positions, I have, among other things:
- Organically increased the number of followers on the Arabia campus by over 1,000 (in one year).
- Created a strong brand image for Creative Dimension.
- Created a strong brand identity for the Creative Diversity initiative, guiding groups of students in their role as our clients
- Created a wide range of digital and print materials for internal and external marketing on campus.
I have learnt a lot visually, technically and strengthened my marketing skills during my work.
PATE MUSTAJÄRVI
Marketing, Visual Graphics, Social media
Content of the work
Planning and implementation of social media marketing. Consultation on different tools and compilation of guidelines for their use.
Who is Pate Mustajärvi?
Pate Mustajärvi is a Finnish musician, best known as the lead singer and original member of the rock band Popeda. Although Popeda has always been a hard-working band, playing a lot of gigs, Mustajärvi has had the energy to build his own successful solo career alongside the band. To date, Mustajärvi has recorded 12 solo albums.
Results of the work
The client wanted content for social media, as well as guidance on how to use it and the tools.
During the project, I worked for the client:
- Instructions for using Planoly, Canva, iMovie and Instagram reels
Design and production of Instagram Reels videos and Instagram posts. - Social media plan.
- Design and production of Instagram videos and Live.
- Asking fans questions for Live.
- Outro for IG videos and YouTube videos.
- Social media marketing and tools consultancy.
- Photography and photo editing.
This project and client has been a real pleasure to work with! During the project I learned a lot more about personal branding and marketing in the music industry.
XIPHERA LTD
Brand, Visual Graphics
Content of the work
Graphic design in line with the organisation’s brand, graphic images for presentation materials, editing of customised photos/vector graphics to match the company’s visual identity.
What is Xiphera?
Xiphera Ltd. is a Finnish company that designs hardware-based security solutions using standardised encryption algorithms.
Results of the work
This client has been one of my longest-standing customers since 2020. The client has been very satisfied with the results of various projects. When I started the first project with the client I didn’t know much about the industry, I learned a lot about it on the job. During the projects, I also strengthened my knowledge of how to create visual content that differentiates the client from their competitors, so that the brand is easily recognisable.
MANDARIN SPA
Social Media, Graphic Design, Marketing
Content of the work
A social media strategy, a competitor analysis, instructions on how to use Instagram, a training day on social media and a new visual identity for Instagram.
What is Mandarin Spa?
Mandarin Spa is a beauty salon located in the Kampi area of Helsinki. Their passion is to help with the skincare challenges of ageing. They specialise in natural facial firming treatments. Mandarin Spa also offers a wide range of other treatments.
Results of the work
We designed new brand colours, imagery & fonts for the client to use on the web. In addition, the project included an on-site training day where we gave the client a “hands-on” tutorial on how to use Instagram.
The client was very happy with the end result. They felt that they benefited greatly from a comprehensive social media strategy and competitor analysis. We also received feedback from the team on how the comprehensive instructions on how to use Instagram helped them to deliver it in a professional manner.
The project was in its third year at Metropolia and was part of a product development simulation course. I acted as project manager for the project and communicated with the client. Together as a team with two team members we did all the other content.
KAUNEUSBREIKKI OY
Websites, Graphic design, Marketing, Brand
Content of the work
New website, visual identity, production of print materials, logo, business consultancy and photography of staff and beauty studio.
Mikä Kauneusbreikki?
Kauneusbreikki is a Finnish beauty company offering a wide range of services. The company is located in Klaukkala, Nurmijärvi.
Results of the work
The client’s company’s visual identity and website needed to be updated to a more modern look. I built the pages in WordPress and created a new visual identity based on the client’s wishes. I organised a shooting day for the client’s staff. The photos were used for the client’s website and marketing. It was a great pleasure to work on such an extensive project. I got to think about the more tricky things like how to sell the gift vouchers and then the easier things like producing the print materials.
HYVÄN TUULEN SAUNA
Marketing, Social Media
Content of the work
The client wanted a marketing and social media strategy and a rebranding of their Instagram profile.
The project included:
- Marketing and social media strategy.
- Marketing strategy and social media strategy.
- Instagram profile re-branding including a new profile image, highlights and bio enhancements.
- Visual design.
What is Hyvän tuulen sauna?
The Aurinkolahden saunalautta is now known as the Hyvän tuulen sauna. Located in Vuosaari, Helsinki, the sauna and water activity oasis invites you to enjoy the sea and the archipelago with good food and a good fire.
Results of the work
Although this project was a bit smaller in content, it was rewarding to work on. The client sector was completely new to me again and it brought with it the challenge of how to create engaging and selling content for the consumer. The client had just changed the company name and therefore asked for help with content creation. I created a comprehensive marketing and social media strategy for the client. The client’s implementation has gone well. My actions have brought the company new followers and customers.
AUTOMONEY OY
UI- & UX-Design, Brand, Visual Graphics
Content of the work
Brand identity design and implementation, wireframe design, concept development, UI & UX design, prototyping & production of marketing materials.
What is Automoney?
Automoney is a service under development for the consumer market, bringing a whole new concept to the service landscape around car sales.
Results of the work
I learned a lot more about service design while working on the project. For example, the conceptualisation of a strong authentication service path was new to me. I got to work on the application in Figma and Adobe XD, so I also learned more about developing design systems and using components.
SWIPER
UI- & UX-Design, Brand, Visual Graphics
Content of the work
This project was part of my studies in the digital design program at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
The whole project was carried out alone. The task was to design and implement a working prototype of an application.
The project also included designing the logo and defining the visual identity.
What is Swiper?
“Swiper” is a new-age app concept to help you choose restaurants. The app can be used on its own or paired with a partner, for example. By swiping through restaurants together or alone, it’s easier to make a choice and not have to think your head off about choosing the right restaurant. The app can be described as the Tinder of restaurants.
Results of the work
The whole project took about a few months to complete. I started by thinking about which application would be necessary and reasonably easy to conceptualise. Then I made mind maps, benchmarked similar apps and websites, thought about the target audience, drew iron-plate frames and started working on the visuals. After that, I created the views of the application using Adobe XD.
Content Creation Around My Expertise
I have planned and edited TikTok videos related to my professional skills. My account also features my other creative projects, including paintings, as well as lifestyle and “my day” content. Since January 2025, I’ve been creating videos consistently and with clear goals during my free time, although the account has existed longer and I’ve actively used the platform since 2019.
Analytics
From January 1 to June 10, 2025, my TikTok account has achieved:
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327,000 video views
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7,375 profile views
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505 comments on published posts
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15,000 likes on published posts
Learn More
My TikTok username is @velmu.kettu.
You can explore more here.
Thesis
The topic of my thesis was “How to succeed in TikTok marketing? : the creation of brand images in the app and 10 tips for marketing success in the TikTok app.”
I wrote the thesis while I was a student in 2022. The topic was very topical, as the app was rapidly transforming into one of the biggest marketing tools for businesses.
The work has been downloaded more than 300 times and I have received a lot of positive feedback on the topic.
You can view and download the work here: theseus.fi. Thesis is written in Finnish.
Recommendations
Feedback about my work and me from my clients, colleagues, friends at university and others.
Customer
The original feedback from LinkedIn.
“Venla’s creativity and “out-of-the-box” thinking, combined with flexible problem-solving skills and self-direction, is a unique ability in simplifying complex issues.”
Grader
The original feedback from peer-review.
“Venla is always positive, very talented visually, confident and not afraid to say things out loud.”
Teacher
The original feedback from LinkedIn.
“Venla is resourceful, takes on agreed responsibilities, knows how to schedule her work and learns quickly.”
College
The original feedback from LinkedIn.
“Venla takes the initiative and learns very quickly and is a true social media professional.”
Superior
The original feedback from LinkedIn.
“Venla did an excellent job. She is a self-motivated, hard-working and well-liked member of the work community.”
Grader
The original feedback from peer-review.
“Venla has a very energetic personality. Venla creates a good team spirit, and she has a lot of experience in the industry clearly.”
