Graphic design
Värttinä: Live in Helsinki – Enhanced CD
The US distributor of Värttinä wanted the band's CD Live in Helsinki to include an “enhanced section” with background information, lyrics, discography and a video of the band. An enhanced section is an otherwise hidden, computer readable portion of an audio CD.
I delivered the record label a set of files which launch a microsite out of the CD. The thumbnail images shown here give an overview of the user experience. The enhanced section is included in the US version of the CD as distributed by NorthSide. You can purchase it from Amazon.com.
Hoedown
Hoedown is the company of Phillip Page, manager extraordinaire. This is a Helsinki based operation representing some of Finland's most talented musicians in the thriving folk fusion genre. The design was informally referred to as “blue grass” and was an experiment at combining dark tones with textures from Finnish nature: grass, bark, granite, etc.
This design was online from October 27th, 2002 until May 25th, 2006.
Aito Records
Aito Records is an independent record company that produces non-mainstream acoustic music. This website, developed in just a couple of days, was an experiment in authenticity and earthy colours.
This website went online on August 30th, 2002 and is maintained by the owner, Pekka Lehti.
Värttinä
The official web site of Värttinä, a brilliant band who would easily deserve to be an order of magnitude more popular than they currently are. Check them out if you haven't already.
This design was online from September 7th, 2001 until January 11th, 2006. The snapshot on the right is from March 3rd, 2002.
Burning Books
Burning Books was a bookshop in the center of Helsinki specialising in literary works that have been forbidden or even called to be burned. An excellent concept for a bookshop, I think.
While this design was being developed in 1997 the shop soon changed ownership and marketing strategy, and as a result the site never went online. Keeping this entry here reminds me of the great atmosphere of the place and the philosophical discussions that often spontaneusly happened there—the shop ended up becoming the informal gathering place for a bunch of very eccentric fellows. Markku Saarinen, we miss you.
BOCKIN PERHEEN SAAGA: Väinämöisen mytologia
In 1996, I was honored to have the opportunity to typeset and design the graphics for a book written by Ior Bock, a dear friend of mine. I am very pleased with the result.
I consider Ior to be the greatest living artist in Finland. His genius is of such caliber that it will probably take a century before the nincompoops in this country will even figure out what field of art his output belongs to, let alone appreciate the depth and finesse of his expression.
I am proud to be associated with this man and treasure our friendship immensely.