Lauri Virkkunen

Design Director at IONA, focused on CX in digital commerce

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

About

I am a curious designer with a diverse educational background, specializing in visual communication and user experience. At present, my primary focus is on digital commerce, where I thrive at the intersection of digital branding, user interfaces, service design, and user research. At IONA, I lead our experienced design team, specializing in digital commerce solutions. As a designer, I bring: • A marketer's, conversion-driven mindset • An analytical approach to creative problem-solving • Focus on the user experience whatever in the making Some of the brands I have worked with: Marimekko, Harvia, Polar, Finnish Design Shop, E.ON, Nordea, BMW, Telia, Fortum, Mandatum, Alamy, K-Rauta, Lappset, Elisa, MacGregor, and Andritz.

Experience

  • IONA (5 yrs 7 mos)
    • Design Director
      Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Lead Designer
      Dec 2021 - Jun 2024 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      IONA helps brands sell more online with next-generation strategies, customer experiences and composable commerce solutions. As the lead designer in our dynamic team of five, I play a pivotal role in tasks ranging from conceptual design to UI implementation, and from customer journey mapping to conducting user interviews. My clients include: Marimekko, Elisa, Novita, Alamy (UK).

    • Senior Designer
      Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr

  • Freelance Designer at Tmi Lauri Virkkunen
    Sep 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 11 mos

    Working as a freelance designer for various clients from entrepreneurs to medium-sized businesses. Projects have included visual identities, web design, infographics, ads, and concept design.

  • Futurice (4 yrs)
    • Senior Designer
      Apr 2020 - Jan 2021 · 10 mos

    • Senior Designer
      Sep 2019 - Mar 2020 · 7 mos

      Main responsibilities: UI and UX design. Also, gained experience in e.g. e-commerce and growth hacking. Main clients: Kesko, Telia, Halebop, and Fortum.

    • UI/UX Designer
      Feb 2017 - Aug 2019 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Client work at the intersection of mobile app design, web design, and concept design. Main clients: E.ON and BMW. Also taking part in designing and building the working culture of a relatively new site of Futurice. –––– An expatriate in Stockholm 10/18 – 03/19. ––––

  • Designer at D11 Helsinki
    Sep 2015 - Jan 2017 · 1 yr 5 mos

    D11 Helsinki is a management consulting and marketing agency for new growth in the connected age. We boost our client's business by aligning the strategy with marketing and design capabilities. We help our clients in finding their own unique voice and a vision, and by strengthening their relationship with their customers. At D11 Helsinki I worked in advertising, marketing and concept design related projects. Our team designed marketing campaigns, brand identities, websites, product launches and customer promises to name a few. I was also responsible for visualizing strategies, infographics, presentations, white papers and other print and digital applications for management consulting cases. Besides developing my design skills, I acquired a sense of business development. Main clients: S-Pankki and FIM.

  • Designer / Master's Thesis Worker at MaaS Global Ltd
    Mar 2016 - Sep 2016 · 7 mos

    Besides writing my thesis I worked as a part-time in-house designer taking part to the design development of the product of MaaS Global: the Whim application. I also designed the visual identity and website of MaaS Global. The thesis: User Involvement in the Early Stage of Digital Service Design: Case Maas Global The methods and practices included user tests and interviews, co-creative workshops, an online survey and an alpha users’ test phase. The role of design expertise was emphasized in planning and implementing the practices of user-designer interaction as well as in leveraging the findings in service development.