WHO I AM

Inspiration is a source of energy which drives us to pursue our goals relentlessly. It makes us go beyond, do things that we may have never even thought about. It is a sparkle that motivates us to find solutions. To be creative. To be pragmatic.

Our endeavors to find solutions makes us explore alternatives, and we often tend to find them through pragmatism – by taking a hands-on approach. Learning by doing broadens our perspective and it enables us to keep our minds open. Furthermore, it makes us feel good about ourselves, especially seeing how ideas and abstract visions gradually turn tangible.

I get inspired by everything around me – life is inspirational

kollaasi

I am Henna-Maarit Kankaala, a Helsinki based designer & content creator. Welcome to my website.

me

Passion for design and visual execution has shown me the way to my dream profession. Along the years in the desin industry I have gained valuable experience and further knowledge on design which has enabled me to advance in my career and develop as a designer. Pursuing my dreams has lead me to a position which allows me to combine creative design & marketing, both of which intrigue me for versatility and freedom. In my current position as Design Manager I feel privileged to be able to deliver coherent and delingful design for all.

My journey towards becoming a designer took a step forward as I started studying at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. While spending my days with the things I loved the most I was actually studying for a degree which would support my endeavors to attain a career built on art and design. I have always found it amazingly interesting how a piece of fabric can be turned into beautiful shapes, well-fitted clothes and stunning accessories. Ever since I was a little girl I have been passionate about design, unique styles and trends around the world. Through this passion I felt compelled to create and design my own style I had visualized in my head.

kollaasi 2

Colors and ambiance lay the groundwork for inspiration which can flare up from pictures or even from the people on the streets. An inspiration may rise from anything – it can be a rush hour train, good conversation or beautiful picture with vivid colors. In a picture or any other visual entity I get inspired by harmony in which colors, composition and message are in balance with each other. To me a well finalized product or a piece of art should rouse feelings and make the audience consider the message it holds within.

Combining colors, shapes, themes and texts in a well-balanced manner is truly a challenge. Therefore, it is vital to remain fresh and up to date in a world that never ceases to evolve. In order to become a good designer one must be driven, inspired and ambitious, be bold enough to challenge the traditional ideas and to seek new solutions. As a designer I am creative and imaginative but also meticulous. To me being innovative stands for pioneering, continuous self-development and harnessing new opportunities – all of which reflect my goals as a designer and a team player.   

 MY SPECIALITIES & EXPERIENCE

Design Management

Content Creation

Team Leading

Product Development

Customer research, creative storytelling and collaborations with social media influencers

Re Branding And Brand Strategy

Commercial E2E processes

Design Outdoor & Indoor Accessories

Range Building Consistent With Brand Values

Concept Design

Technical Specs For Sampling

Fashion Design

Print Design

Visual Design

Web Design

Marketing

Graphics And All Over Print Design (Including Repeats)

Technical drawings and CAD (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and LightRoom)

Catalogue – Graphic Design

Brand Book creating

Photography – Photo Editing

Product Design

Garment Construction

Fabric and trim sourcing and development

Garment fittings, creating size specifications and technical packs for manufacturers

Trend and Colour Forecasting Reports

Design Indoor and Outdoor Clothing Collections

Design Packaging and Labels

Adobe Software 

8/2021- present       Design Manager, Nosh Company Oy, Helsinki, FINLAND

4/2020- 8/2021         Product Category Manager, Halti Oy, Söderkulla, FINLAND

10/2017-3/2020        Product Manager & Apparel Designer, Faor Oy, Helsinki, FINLAND

12/2016-10/2017      Marketing Designer & Apparel Designer, Vokant Group Oy, Helsinki, FINLAND

Fashion Designer & Marketing Designer for Vokant’s own brands | Outdoor Fashion | Sportwear, Technical Outerwear & Accessories

Responsibilities:

-responsible for large collections of over 200 technical products per year, including Inari Clothing brand visual marketing

Inari Clothing – Mighty by nature
Inari clothing was established in 2015 to give life to a brand that would take us on adventures to our back-yard and beyond.

Here is one of my recent works

Check out more at http://inari-clothing.fi/

  • Site visual design by me
  • Marketing materials
  • Brand photoshoots
  • Facebook & Instagram campaigns
  • Coordinating marketing projects and activities
  • Social media + Content production
  • Consept design
  • Managing extensive amount of graphic and print design alongside the collection design

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/inariclothingfinland/

https://www.instagram.com/inariclothing/

12/2012-6/2016     Designer, Stockmann Oyj Abp, Helsinki, FINLAND

Fashion/ Graphic designer
Fashion/ Graphic designer for Stockmann’s own brands

BOGI girls is a private brand for Stockmann Department Stores, a fresh collection of up-to-date clothes for girls with playful and funny attitude & just the right functionality, style and fitting. This brand was sold in Finland, Baltic & Russia

CapHorn & Bodyguard is private brands for Stockmann Stores, both are casual collections for man who is timeless rather than trendy, classic but not boring and who has a deep understanding of quality and casual easiness.

Responsibilities:

  • responsible for large collections of over 200 products per year, including visual trend and colour forecasting reports, apparel design, graphic and print design, packaging and brand label design, photography & photo editing, marketing
  • Trend research in New York & London
  • Managing extensive amount of graphic and print design alongside the collection design
  • Commercial E2E processes and Brand Book creating
  • Marketing materials for support sales

9/2012-12/2012     Designer, L-Fashion Group/L-Fashion House, Lahti, FINLAND

Fashion/ Graphic designer

BEAVER is a private brand for L-Fashion Group (LUHTA). This cool & casual brand is for under school aged boys & girls. BEAVERS kids want to look good and be comfy, and express their energetic attitude. This brand was sold in Finland & Russia

Responsibilities

  •  responsible for large collections of over 300 styles per year, including visual trend and colour forecasting reports, apparel design, graphic and print design and brand label design, catalogs
  • Trend research in Barcelona, Amsterdam & London
  •  Managing extensive amount of graphic and print design alongside the collection design
  • design marketing catalogs from cover to cover including visual layout, photography, typography, and printing
  • Marketing materials for support sales

3/2012-9/2012      Garment Technician, Stockmann Oyj Abp, Helsinki, FINLAND                 

Garments Technician for Womens; Global Essencials & Global G and Black Label

Global Essencials & Global G and Black Label are private brands for Stockmann Department Stores.

Responsibilities

A garment technician is known as pattern master, who looks into pattern making, garment fit aspects etc. Most important task of a technician is to make patterns in such a way that it fit to model body. A technician knows where problem lies if a garment does not fit to a dress form. GT corrects the pattern accordingly.

  • Follow up the brand measures, volyme, workmanship and fitting
  • Manage and distribute fitting comments and instructions, how to improve the patterns, fitting and workmanship
  • Support to solve production problems with the supplier by giving all required instruction
  • Make sure the comments can be incorporated by suppliers
  • Prepare comments for the fitting, measure, workmanship
  • Work with suitable live models

11/2010-12/2011         Designer, L-Fashion Group/L-Fashion house, Lahti, FINLAND

Fashion/ Graphic designer

BEAVER B-Kids is a private brand for L-Fashion Group (LUHTA). This cool & casual brand is for under school aged boys & girls. BEAVERS kids want to look good and be comfy, and express their energetic attitude. This brand was sold in Finland & Russia

Responsibilities

  •  Work with suitable live models
  • creation of new brand, brand development and brand concepting
  • creation of new labels and logo
  • responsible for large collections of over 300 styles per year, including visual trend and colour forecasting reports, apparel design, graphic and print design and brand label design, catalogs
  • Trend research in Barcelona, Amsterdam & London
  • Managing extensive amount of graphic and print design alongside the collection design
  • design marketing catalogs from cover to cover including visual layout, photography, typography, and printing
  • Marketing materials for support sales

5/2010-7/2010       Design Assistant/Trainee, Vector Factory Oy, Helsinki, FINLAND

4/2009-8/2009     Design Assistant, L-Fashion Group/L-Fashion house, Lahti, FINLAND