I’m proud to share that my studio is working with Helsingin Sanomat, Finland, with their mobile first redesign project. Helsingin Sanomat is the largest quality news brand in the nordic countries with a reach of 14 M/week.
Late in 2023 Erja Yläjärvi, Editor-in-chief, Helsingin Sanomat, asked if I could help with a design audit focusing in mobile first and branding and this is an ongoing focus for HS.
»We need to stand out and separate from other Finnish media with our distinctive quality journalism. Anna’s experience with typography and design will emphasize the strengths of our brand and make them more suitable for digital environment where clarity is the best asset«
Emma-Leena Ovaskainen, Manager of HS Visuals and design and leading project.
I’m working with the large, skilled and fun team; Tuomas Jääskelainen, Art Director, HS, Antti Nikunen, Team leader, HS, Ville Volanen, Digital design lead, Anna Knappe: Digital system designer, Lina Mäkelä, UX-designer and Jarkko Karhu, Development manager, Teemu Hauhia, Product lead at Sanoma Group.
The scope is to help HS.fi become a faster, clearer and stronger news brand in mobile first, focusing in the stories. The stories are the heart of HS brand and where type is critical.
We are taking the next step on HS custom typeface building variable fonts with Commercial Type.
The typefaces Helsingin and Sanomat are HS strongest design asset and this project focus is creating a clear design DNA in digital.
»To me Sanomat is the voice of HS«
Paul Barnes, typeface designer and partner, Commercial Type
»Helsingin has the simplicity of a geometric sans and the warmth of a humanist sans. It’s an ideal supporting character for Sanomat«
Christian Schwartz, typeface designer and partner, Commercial Type.
I have always admired Helsingin Sanomat’s strong custom typography that was invented for the newspaper by Sami Valtere, 2013 along with art directors Ari Kinnari and Hannu Pulkkinen. I’m honoured to be working with such a strong news brand and design legacy.
Stay tuned; HS Mobile First Redesign is to be relaunched in 2026.