Photo by Rosa Särkkä, 2022.
Hi! Nice that you ended up here!
I am Ilja Karsikas – an illustrator, picture book author and musician. I’m living in Helsinki, Finland, working at Super 8 studio in Kallio.
I’ve been working as a professional illustrator and graphic designer since 2003 when I graduated from Lahti Institute of Design. During years I’ve done a lot of editorial and corporate illustrations, children’s book illustrations, book covers and music related illustrations. At the moment I’m working mostly with my children’s book projects and editorial illustrations.
I’m open for many kind of comisssions so don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Ilja Karsikas
+358 50 5266 796
ilja [at] iljakarsikas.com
www.iljakarsikas.com
As an illustrator I'm represented by
Napa Arts & Licensing Agency
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Selected Clients
Finnish Post
Ruisrock festival
YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company
Kirkko Helsingissä (Church in Helsinki)
Helsinki University
Human Rights Centre in Finland
Finnish Transport Agency
National audit Office of Finland, VTV
Tammi
Kustantamo S&S
Otava
WSOY
Etana Editions
Gummerus
Elisa
Wärtsilä
Universal Music Finland
Suomen Musiikki
Stockmann
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Books
Sateenkaarikiitäjä, Kustantamo S&S, 2024
(text and illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Uraanisiipi, self-published with Panama-levyt, 2023
Album including music and illustrated short story.
Will be published in CD-BOOK, LP, CASSETTE and digital fromats.
(text, illustrations, design, music and lyrics Ilja Karsikas)
Myrsky & Valo, Kustantamo S&S, 2023
(text and illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Yksisarvinen, Kustantamo S&S, 2022
(text and illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Rantakadun rappusilta, self-published, 2021
(text Helena Karsikas, illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Under månen / Kuun valossa, Schildts & Söderströms / Kustantamo S&S, 2020 (text Aki-Pekka Sinikoski, illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Amos ja sumupuu, Etana Editions, 2017
(text and illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Anselmin eläimet & Anselmin numerot, Tammi, 2011
(text and illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Sintti Silmusuu tahtoo oppia lukemaan, Nemo, 2010
(text Juho Gröhndahl, illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
Keksijä Punainen ja hatun varjo, Tammi, 2009
(text Heimo Hatakka, illustrations Ilja Karsikas)
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Interviews / videos
Kulttuuricocktail Live TV show
YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), January 2021.
Kierto / Alumni Interviews in YouTube
Lahti Institute of Design / Museums of Lahti, August 2021.
Live music video in illustration exhibition
Galleria Ratamo, Jyväskylä, Finland, February 2022.
Yksisarvinen book review in Helsingin Sanomat.
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Works featured
Ball Pit Mag (interview 2017)
Illustration 2: Drawings, character & more, Zeixs, 2012
Cause and Effect, Gestalten, 2012
3x3 Illustration Directory, 2013
3x3 Magazine’s professional Show annual, 2012
3x3 Children’s Book Show No.7, 2010
Illusive 3, Gestalten, 2009
Worldwide Graphic Design: Scandinavia, Zeixs, 2009
Exhibitions
2024
Uraanisiipi – Illustrations from the Uraanisiipi book/album
B-galleria, Turku, Finland
2023
29th Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (Bibiana), Slovakia
2022
Ilja Karsikas – Illustrations from the book Yksisarvinen & for the Vino puu art group
Galleria Ratamo, Jyväskylä Finland
See the exhibition music video in YouTube.
Yksisarvinen – Book Illustrations
Espresso Edge, Helsinki, Finland
Pieni Satupiha, illustrations from the book Yksisarvinen
Helsinki Book Fair, Finland
2020
Mikkeli’s 12th Illustration Triennial,
Mikkeli Art Museum, Mikkeli, Finland
2019
27th Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (Bibiana), Slovakia
2018
Vino puu
Illustrations & music with the band / artist group Vino puu
Galleria Kuvitus, Hämeentie 28, Helsinki, Finland
2017
Power of Pictures, Tallinn 5th Illustration Triennial
Estonian National Library, Tallinn, Estonia
Illustrations from the book Amos ja sumupuu,
Kirjaverstas, Teurastamo, Helsinki, Finland
Illustrations from the book Amos ja sumupuu,
Bookstore Nide, Helsinki, Finland
Mikkeli’s 11th Illustration Triennial,
Mikkeli Art Museum, Mikkeli, Finland
2016
The Queen of the Woods,
posters and children's book illustrations.
Children's book store Toukka, Helsinki, Finland
2015
Leo & Ilja Karsikas, paintings and illustrations
Sissilinna, Kajaani, Finland
Naapurit with Jussi Karjalainen,
Kajaani Art Museum, Kajaani, Finland
2014
Mikkeli’s 10th Illustration Triennial,
Mikkeli Art Museum, Mikkeli, Finland
2013
Satukaupunki with Heimo Hatakka,
Laituri, Helsinki, Finland
2012
Kaivopuisto with Samae Koskinen and Antti Nylén,
Helsinki railway station, Finland
Helsinki FRESH design and fashion exhibition,
Direktorenhaus, Berlin, Germany
Metka matka: The10th Anniversary of
The Finnish Association of Illustrators,
Päivälehden museo, Helsinki, Finland //
Pukstaavi, Sastamala, Finland
2011
Mikkeli’s 9th Illustration Triennial,
Mikkeli Art Museum, Mikkeli, Finland
2009
Keksijä Punainen ja hatun varjo,
Napa Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
Napa x Pekka, Kaapelitehdas,
Helsinki Design Week, Finland
2008
Helsinki Biennale 2008, with Super8 Studio,
Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Napa Illustrations' exhibitions:
Illustrative 08, Zürich, Switzerland //
BingoShop, Barcelona, Spain //
B-gallery, Turku, Finland
Mikkeli’s 8th Illustration Triennial,
Mikkeli Art Museum, Mikkeli, Finland
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