Hello there,
I’m Ilona Partanen, Finnish illustrator, based in Helsinki, Finland. Themes like nature, biology, psychology, poetry and fantasy inspires me. I love entwining abstract concepts into concrete entities. My illustration style includes creating organic shapes, vibrant colour combinations and lively pattern surfaces and they have enriched articles and stories both in books and magazines. When not working, I hoard and plant different kind of plant seeds and nurture them. This passion for greenery is often translated in my illustrations.
I have created characters called Kinkmoles (fin. Sykkyrämyyrä) and they appear in my work every now and then. In addition to illustrating, I love writing stories for children and creating public art.
I have created characters called Kinkmoles (fin. Sykkyrämyyrä) and they appear in my work every now and then. In addition to illustrating, I love writing stories for children and creating public art.
Education
Aalto University, School of Art, Design & Architecture // MA, Visual Communication Design // 2018
Lahti Institute of Design // BA, Graphic Design // 2011
Aalto University, School of Art, Design & Architecture // MA, Visual Communication Design // 2018
Lahti Institute of Design // BA, Graphic Design // 2011
Publications as an author
NEW Mummi Värikäs // Kumma // 2024
Talo nimeltä Panda // Kumma // 2022Surullinen Luru // Mini // 2022
Minä olen Sykkyrämyyrä! // Sammakko // 2018
Publications as an illustrator
Outo pöpö Haukkumaassa // Written by Pirjo & Pekka Arvola // Mini // 2023
Makke ja Nupu // Written by Michael Monroe // Like // 2022
Houkuttaja häiritsee Lammasmaata // Written by Pirjo & Pekka Arvola // Mini // 2021
Pohdiskellaan periytymistä // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2021
Liikaa herkkuja Haukkumaassa // Written by Pirjo & Pekka Arvola // Mini // 2020
Sankaritarinoita kaikille // Editors Taru Anttonen & Milla Karppinen // Into // 2019
Ihmeellinen Minna ja suomalaisia supernaisia // Written by Elina Lappalainen // Tammi // 2019
Todellisten prinsessojen kirja // Written by Satu & Johannes Erra // Tammi // 2018
Sankaritarinoita tytöille (ja kaikille muille) // Editors Taru Anttonen & Milla Karppinen // Into // 2018
Ventana // Sanoma Pro // 2015-2018
Ihmetellään kromosomeja // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2017
Aurinkolinnut // Written by Mila Teräs // Karisto // 2016
Jukola // Sanoma Pro // 2015-2016
Leivotaan ihminen // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2015
Pohdiskellaan periytymistä // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2021
Liikaa herkkuja Haukkumaassa // Written by Pirjo & Pekka Arvola // Mini // 2020
Sankaritarinoita kaikille // Editors Taru Anttonen & Milla Karppinen // Into // 2019
Ihmeellinen Minna ja suomalaisia supernaisia // Written by Elina Lappalainen // Tammi // 2019
Todellisten prinsessojen kirja // Written by Satu & Johannes Erra // Tammi // 2018
Sankaritarinoita tytöille (ja kaikille muille) // Editors Taru Anttonen & Milla Karppinen // Into // 2018
Ventana // Sanoma Pro // 2015-2018
Ihmetellään kromosomeja // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2017
Aurinkolinnut // Written by Mila Teräs // Karisto // 2016
Jukola // Sanoma Pro // 2015-2016
Leivotaan ihminen // Written by Sanna Kalmari // Harvinaiskeskus Norio // 2015
Recognition
Merit Award // 3x3 Professional Show No.19
Merit Award // 3x3 Professional Show No.19
Merit Award // iJungle Illustrations Awards 2019
Honorable Mention // 3x3 Professional Show No.16
Honorary Mention // Posti stamp design competition
Honorable Mention // 3x3 Professional Show No.16
Honorary Mention // Posti stamp design competition