Bio

Photo Emma Suominen

Hybrid Artist &
Digital Designer

I am ANU LEHTO (born 1977), a hybrid artist and digital designer from Helsinki.

My journey in digital design started 23 years ago when I graduated with a BA in Multimedia. My design career kicked off after an internship at a Helsinki-based office, Sek, where I continued to work for 14 years, creating campaigns and online services for a wide range of leading Finnish brands. Alongside my career, I studied interactive narrative at the University of Art and Design (Aalto), graduating with an MA in New Media.

For the past 10 years, I have been working as an independent designer. I am also one of the three founding members of the Sivulliset collective. As a designer, I find it important to continuously stay current and develop my skills whenever possible. I always strive to create visually high-quality, accessible, and user-friendly services.

As an artist, I am at the beginning of my journey. Installations, public art and artistic interventions are areas I want to explore and work with in the future. Through my art, I want to evoke interaction, presence, joy, and empathy. Art is not just a luxury for a few; it should be a possible part of everyone's life, mental well-being, and cultural identity. In the future, I want to create art concepts that transcends the boundaries of different sectors.


Cv - Anu Lehto

EDUCATION

ART IN URBAN PLANNING (5 OP)
LAB University of Applied Sciences 2024–

MA / CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTS OF ARTS
Turku Art Academy 2023–

MA / NEW MEDIA, INTERACTIVE NARRATIVE 
Aalto University / Medialab 2008–2014 

TIME AND SPACE STATION (1 OP) 
Academy of Fine Arts 2013

BA / MEDIANOMI, CULTURE AND ARTS 
Kymenlaakso Polytechnic 1997–2001 

EXHIBITIONS

HOLD ON. LET GO. INSTALLATION 
Media art installation at Otaniemi Medialab 2014 

WORK EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT DESIGNER 2014– 
Art Director, UI Designer, Hybrid Artist  

I work as a designer primarily with cultural actors. The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has been my largest client since 2014, and our collaboration continues. I have been involved in renewing all their digital channels (online service 2023, Opera&Ballet app 2019, online store 2019, and online service 2016). Together with my team, Sivulliset collective, I am also responsible for the marketing of opera and ballet productions, as well as preview photo and video materials. In addition, we have designed several window installations for them. Over the years, other clients in the cultural sector have included the Tero Saarinen Company and the Helsinki Festival.

SEK BRAND DESIGN 2012–2014 
Designer 

SEK DIGITAL 2000–2011 
Art Director / Digital Designer

PHONE
(+358) 40 778 6783

EMAIL
anuteresa@gmail.com

IG
@anuteresa

MEMBERSHIPS

Grafia
Ornamo

HONORS

ADCE FESTIVAL BARCELONA 2016 
Jury member 

GRAND ONE 2016
Jury member  

VUODEN HUIPUT 2014 
Jury member 

VUODEN HUIPUT 2010 
Jury member 

CRESTA INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS 2008 
Jury member 

AWARDS

SHORTLISTED / BEST ONLINE STORE, GRAND ONE 2019 
oopperabaletti.fi, The Finnish National Opera and Ballet 

GOLD / BEST INNOVATION, VUODENHUIPUT 2018 
OneWay Stockmann, gender-neutral clothing department

GOLD / BEST B-TO-C SERVICE, GRAND ONE 2016 
oopperabaletti.fi, The Finnish National Opera and Ballet 

SHORTLISTED / DIGITAL COMMUNICATION AWARDS BERLIN 2016 
oopperabaletti.fi, The Finnish National Opera and Ballet

SILVER & BRONZE / EFFIE AWARDS 2011
Fonecta 

GOLD & SILVER / VUODEN HUIPUT 2011 
Fonecta, intergrated campaign 
Fonecta, innovative media