Sofia Pusa is a Finnish-born creative working globally across branding, illustration and strategy.
From bold, story-driven brand identities to dreamlike illustrations, her work transforms ideas into unforgettable visuals.
Sofia’s path to design wasn’t exactly a straight line. From studying Latin and aesthetics (unexpectedly useful) to business school (less so) to finally finding her way back to art and design, every step shaped her perspective. Having lived and worked in six countries, Sofia sees the world through many lenses. Mexico, in particular, left a mark, and its rich colors and energy still echo in her work today.
Empathy and curiosity are her superpowers. They help her shape abstract ideas into something deeply human, allowing brands to not just be seen but understood. Now, as a creative director and illustrator, she builds visual worlds that give brands their voice. Her work isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about emotion, connection, and meaning.
Sofia’s work has earned awards from ADC Awards (US), Applied Arts Design Awards (CA), and the 3x3 Illustration Show (US), among others. She has also been a jury member for Vuoden Huiput, Finland’s leading creative competition. As a Community Advisory Board Member for Adobe, she helps shape industry standards for transparency and content protection in the digital age.
Contact
Selected Clients
&Walsh
Adobe
ASUS
Buck
Finland Ministry of Justice
Google
Lumene
Ruisrock Festival
The City of Helsinki
The National Museum of Finland
services
Art Direction
Brand Strategy
Brand Identity
Creative Direction
Editorial Design
Illustration
Motion Graphics
Packaging
Pattern Design
Print & Collateral
Website & Application Design
selected press
AIGA Eye on Design
Communication Arts
Creative Boom
Httpster
Mindsparkle Mag
Page
Sara Caldas: Palette Perfect
The Design Kids
The Brand Identity
Trendland
Typewolf
Visual Journal
Awards
3x3 Illustration Show
Merit Award
USA, 2025
3x3 Illustration Show
Honorable Mention
USA, 2025
Illustrator of the Year
Jury Member
Finland, 2024
Vuoden Huiput
Jury Member
Finland, 2020
3x3 Illustration Show
Merit Award
USA, 2019
Applied Arts Awards
Winner / Editorial
Canada, 2019
Vuoden Huiput
Silver
Finland, 2019
Finnish Book Art Committee
Beautiful Book Prize
Finland, 2018
ADC Europe
High Potentials
Spain, 2018
Adobe Design Awards
Semifinalist
USA, 2018
ADC 96th Annual Awards
Silver / 2017 Young Ones
USA, 2017
Helsinki Book Fair
Campaign Image Winner
Finland, 2017
Adobe Design Awards
Semifinalist
USA, 2016
exhibitions
Color & Light Festival
Group Exhibition, 2025
Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
Adobe Creative Spotlight
Group Exhibition, 2024
Protein Studios, London, UK
Adobe MAX
Group Exhibition, 2024
London, UK
Fillin Global Annual Art Show
Group Exhibition, 2023
New York State Gallery
New York, USA
PolyOne NFT Exhibition
Group Exhibition, 2022
Citadel of Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
Lahti International Poster Triennial
Group Exhibition, 2022
The Museum of Visual Arts Malva
Lahti, Finland
Iconic – Portraits of Artists
Group Exhibition, 2021
Superwood Festival, Finland
Iconic – Portraits of Artists
Group Exhibition, 2021
Roasberg, Helsinki, Finland
selected talks and live interviews
Adobe Creative Spotlight
Protein Studios, London 2024
Creative Connection Live
Adobe MAX, London 2024
We Love Graphic Design
Copenhagen 2021
Adobe Live, 2021
High Potentials
ADCE Festival, Barcelona 2018
education
Lahti Institute of Design
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
Lahti, Finland
Aalto University
School of Arts, Design & Architecture
Doctoral Student in Graphic Design
Helsinki, Finland
Aalto University
School of Business
Master of Science in Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Economics
Helsinki, Finland
Selected Clients
&Walsh
Adobe
ASUS
Buck
Finland Ministry of Justice
Google
Lumene
Ruisrock Festival
The City of Helsinki
The National Museum of Finland
Art Direction
Brand Strategy
Brand Identity
Creative Direction
Editorial Design
Illustration
Motion Graphics
Packaging
Pattern Design
Print & Collateral
Website & Application Design
Services
AIGA Eye on Design
Communication Arts
Creative Boom
Httpster
Mindsparkle Mag
Page
Sara Caldas: Palette Perfect
The Design Kids
The Brand Identity
Trendland
Typewolf
Visual Journal
Selected Press
Awards
Merit Award
3x3 Illustration Show
USA, 2025
3x3 Illustration Show
USA, 2025
Honorable Mention
Jury Member
Illustrator of the Year
Finland, 2024
Jury Member
Vuoden Huiput
Finland, 2020
3x3 Illustration Show
USA, 2019
Merit Award
Winner / Editorial
Canada, 2019
Applied Arts Awards
Silver
Vuoden Huiput
Finland, 2019
ADC 96th Annual Awards
Silver / 2017 Young Ones
Finland, 2018
Campaign Image Winner
Semifinalist
Adobe Design Awards
High Potentials
ADC Europe
Spain, 2018
Semifinalist
Adobe Design Awards
USA, 2018
Finnish Book Art Committee
USA, 2017
Beautiful Book Prize
Helsinki Book Fair
Finland, 2017
USA, 2016
Exhibitions
Color & Light Festival
Group Exhibition, 2025
Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
Adobe Creative Spotlight
Group Exhibition, 2024
Protein Studios, London, UK
Adobe MAX
Group Exhibition, 2024
London, UK
Fillin Global Annual Art Show
Group Exhibition, 2023
New York State Gallery
New York, USA
PolyOne NFT Exhibition
Group Exhibition, 2022
Citadel of Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
Lahti International Poster Triennial
Group Exhibition, 2022
The Museum of Visual Arts Malva
Lahti, Finland
Iconic – Portraits of Artists
Group Exhibition, 2021
Superwood Festival, Finland
Iconic – Portraits of Artists
Group Exhibition, 2021
Roasberg, Helsinki, Finland
Selected Talks and Live Interviews
Adobe Creative Spotlight
Protein Studios, London 2024
Creative Connection Live
Adobe MAX, London 2024
We Love Graphic Design
Copenhagen 2021
Adobe Live, 2021
High Potentials
ADCE Festival, Barcelona 2018
Publications
education