Heli Miikkulainen-Gilbert
- Media
- Service Design
- Clothing and Accessory Design
- Photography
- Designer
- Uusimaa
- Remote
MA in Media Management, BA in Fashion Design
- Expert
Forward-thinking Designer delves into the fusion of design, technology, and communication to foster the development of sustainable business.
Contact me
heli@heli-mg.comExperience
Work experience
Marimekko, Helsinki and Vantaa
Inspirer-sales associate, fashion and lifestyle collections
2014 – 2022
Heli MG, Wicklow, Ireland
Entrepreneur offering on-demand textile designer and maker services and repairs. Founder and developer of slow fashion brand Heli MG Eco Faux Furs.
2008 – 2013
Tazzia Oy and Texmoda Oy, Helsinki
Designer, ladies’ wear collections
2002 – 2007
Cassinna Oy, Akowest Oy, Hanx Oy, Savon Mediat Oy, Helsinki
Freelance designer of children’s bags and sportswear, and content creator.
1999 – 2005
Education
Arcada UAS
Master of Culture and Arts, Media Management
Thesis work: Digital transformation: how can it provide the most value to fashion brands while enabling sustainable change?
2022 – 2023
Koulutuskeskus Salpaus and Tamora Oy
Specialist Degree in Product Design, Service Design, Design thinking studies, and practical training in public and private sector change management projects.
Degree project: Communication internationalization service for Finnish SMEs.
2014 – 2015
Kuopio Adult Education Centre
Third Level Degree in Business and Management, Marketing
2000 – 2001
Savonia University, Kuopio Academy of Design
Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Fashion Design.
Thesis work: E-measured fashion collection for 65+ ladies in collaboration with Muoti Herrala Oy.
1994 – 1999
Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Corporate responsibility and the consumer of the future at the heart of the brand (10 ECT): Reporting (ESRS and CSRD reporting, influencing responsibility through choice architecture and neuroscience, creating stakeholder value in business/Cambridge Value Mapping) and Developing future business (future thinking/trends and megatrends, change management and future business development/PESTEL)
2024 – 2025
Works
2025
A narrative-driven 3D fashion simulation game in which the players preserve a well known urban park’s thriving ecosystem by making responsible garment choices
The prototype set in the Finnish capital Helsinki’s beloved Esplanadi Park is built with Unity Editor. Please test it in Unity Play and get in touch with much appreciated feedback. Use WASD and arrow keys to move around, space bar to jump, touch pad to rotate the camera and mouse left-click to interact.The prototype is a study project that I built at the end of the 5 ECT Narrative in Games course with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and a 12-week Unity Creative Core course with Unity Learning, both completed in September 2025. With further development, it could support brands in advancing their responsible marketing strategies.Please see list of work sample collaborators in the Finnish work sample listing.
https://play.unity.com/en/games/f7bad2f2-fc2d-4651-89c5-e4b31ebb9e12/catwalk-of-change
VFXaudiolightingmaterials and shaderslevel designpost-processingAdobe PhotoshopUI3D animationUnityBlenderVisual StudioPrototypointi
2024
Bringing Nikkilä “Mural House” to Life
The immersive AR street art trail nudges you onto your feet to discover your living environment with new eyes. Developed responsibly, the art experiences leave no trace on the landscape, are largely beyond the reach of physical vandalism, and have an environmental impact of less than a third of physical art.
Inclusive designpublic artjulkinen taidechoice architectureAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Lightroom3D animationBlenderKäyttäjäkokemusUser experience
Five Rya Sewing Workshops
The exhibition visitors had the opportunity to experience the healing power of handicrafts and collective making in a workshop I produced in collaboration with Mieli ry and Designshopoutlet. The proceeds from the sale of a collaboratively made tufted product were directed towards supporting youth mental health services.
BrandingEvent DesignTeachingWorkshopTeamwork
Collaborators
https://mieli.fi/
Designshopoutlet
2014
Dress Photoshoot
Dress collection photoshoot for social media marketing purposes. Model: Anna-Maria Kasanen.
Adobe PhotoshopPhotographyAdobe LightroomTeamwork
Collaborators
https://www.ninaco.co/
2015
Rya “Ryijy” Photoshoot
Photography of Reeta Ek’s 4-piece “Map” wall rug for print media. The photos were published by interior decoration magazines Antiikki ja Taide (1/2017) and Asun (1/2018), among others.
TeamworkAdobe PhotoshopPhotographyAdobe Lightroom
Collaborators
https://suomenkasityonystavat.fi/
2015
Tikkurila Social Services
Tikkurila Social Services sought assistance in redesigning spaces within their facility. To kickstart the project, the 3-designer team initiated a preliminary research involving ethnographic observation and staff interviews. Service design tools were employed to find solutions for enhanced user experience.Given the pressing user needs, the project primarily concentrated on the public reception and waiting room area. To address customer privacy concerns, we introduced elements designed to divert attention away from others’ affairs. Furthermore, we leveraged cost-effective interior decor elements to create the illusion of privacy within the service area. Our approach prioritized both safety and aesthetics to maximize the benefits for all users of the space. The design encourages customer engagement and fosters more positive interaction. Illustration: Placido Afonso
Double diamondService DesignObservingInterviewTeamworkAdobe Photoshop
Collaborators
Yodo Kurosava, store designer
Placido Afonso, designer
https://www.vantaa.fi/
2014
Rosenkulla Nursing Home
The multi-disciplinary team of 3 designers revamped the dining and lounge area of the Rosenkulla Nursing Home in Liljendal. The concept based on ethnographic observation and staff interviews aimed to deviate as much as possible from the institutional feel. It envisioned a warm, inviting, and vibrant space intended for the residents, their families, other visitors, and the staff. Additionally, its objective was to engage the Liljendal village community, motivating their involvement in the utilization of the space and its execution phase. The co-created concept was shown green light by the whole community and the implementation commenced briefly afterwards. Illustration: Olga Veselovskaja.
InterviewTeamworkOpastesuunnitteluGraphic DesignAdobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorObserving
Collaborators
Saara Gröhn, service designer
Olga Veselovskaja, illustrator and interior architect
https://www.tamora.fi/
https://www.loviisa.fi/
2014
Co-created Multi-functional Coats
“6-in-1” rya “ryijy” coat hand-crafted from high-quality natural materials.
IllustrationPhotographyAdobe PhotoshopRya rug sewingCo-creation
Collaborators
Leena Harkimo, member of the Finnish Parliament
2014
Golden A’Design Award 2014
“7-in-1” coat got the golden A’Design Award in Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Category. It was also exhibited at the MOOD Design Museum in Como, Italy, in autumn 2014.
http://www.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=30538
Rya rug sewing
Collaborators
https://competition.adesignaward.com/
2013
Show Selected Case 2013
Showcase Ireland is an annual design tradeshow held in Dublin. My Butterfly Jacket was nominated for Selected New Design 2013 and displayed in the main exhibition area of the show.
Rya rug sewing
Collaborators
https://www.dcci.ie/
https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/
https://showcaseireland.com/
2013
Show Fashion Case 2013
Showcase Ireland is an annual design tradeshow held in Dublin. My “2-in-1” rya “ryijy” coat entered the curated fashion show running non-stop on the main stage through the 5-day expo. Photo: Sunday Times
Rya rug sewing
Collaborators
https://www.dcci.ie/
https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/
https://showcaseireland.com/
2022
Private social media add-on for condo management apps
Our research unveiled that a substantial portion of international tenants residing in finnish apartment complexes have limited or no familiarity with their neighbours. Furthermore, the majority exhibited reluctance to participate in the community groups of popular social media platforms due to concerns about their privacy not being fully safeguarded. They expressed a preference for maintaining a discreet profile and safeguarding their residences from potential security risks and unwanted intrusions.To reduce potential social isolation and a dearth of community cohesion in such circumstances we collaboratively conceived an in-condo private social media platform, an extension to current housing management communication platforms, aimed at simplifying and enhancing community connections. Our investigations have demonstrated that initiating conversations through a digital channel is less daunting than approaching a neighbour at their doorstep. This solution not only enhances the lives of residents but also offers an appealing value proposition for property owners. By fostering stronger and more tightly-knit communities, it leads to extended tenancies, thus promoting a more sustainable and flourishing living environment.ing a more sustainable and flourishing living environment.
https://challenges.openideo.com/challenge/designing-for-digital-thriving/idea/caring-and-sharing-promoting-need-a-hand-add-on-helps-make-strangers-familiar-and-build-up-sustainable-communities?documentId=f5b0a43c37fe00f937cbd1f82682e64f&documentTableId=1297037840348105483
Adobe IllustratorObservingInterviewTeamworkGraphic DesignAdobe PhotoshopPhotography
Collaborators
2012
ITO JAKUCHU INSPIRED Suunnittelukilpailu
ITO JAKUCHU INSPIRED suunnittelukilpailu järjestettiin Designboomin, Japan’s Design Associationin ja Tokyo Designers Weekin yhteistyönä. “2-in-1” ryijyliivini oli 23 voittajatyön joukossa ja se oli esillä Tokyo Designers Weekillä 2012.
https://www.designboom.com/design/ito-jakuchu-inspired-competition-results/
Rya rug sewing
Collaborators
https://www.designboom.com/
2015
Business Design
Sheep farmer Teemu extended an invitation to a team of six designers to enhance and advance his farm and travel business, which had been in operation for a few years. The designers initiated the project by actively engaging in farm activities and evaluating the envisioned experiences. They closely observed the farmer and conducted interviews with both him and the local community. The scope of their work encompassed crafting a comprehensive plan for refreshing the farmyard, devising captivating farm experiences, enhancing the product offerings in the farm grocery store, and formulating a strategic marketing blueprint. The overarching goal of the project was to create genuine and unforgettable overnight experiences for travelers, whether they hailed from nearby regions or distant locales. Illustration: Olga Veselovskaja
Adobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignBusiness designService DesignStrategic DesignAdobe PhotoshopCo-creation
Collaborators
Anna Kokki, designer
Jaana Wahlsten, textile designer
Saara Gröhn, service designer
Olga Veselovskaja, illustrator and interior architect
Yodo Kurosawa, store designer
Nuolniemen Lammastarha, Teemu Seppälä
2006
Ladieswear Designer
During my tenure as the Head Designer at Tazzia Oy from 2002 to 2007, I had the privilege of collaborating with production and sales teams and international material suppliers in the design process for four annual collections, catering to both Tazzia and Texmoda Oy. These collections were meticulously crafted in Tazzia Oy’s in-house factory located in Iisalmi, Finland. To ensure an authentic focus on customer-centricity, I routinely engaged with the end-users by working closely within the company’s retail stores. Photos: Riku Isohella
Strategic DesignConceptual designObservingInterviewTeamworkGraphic DesignCo-creationIllustrationUser research
Collaborators
Tazzia Oy
http://www.texmoda.fi/