Index
00.
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
Information
What Should Finland Know About Nation Branding?
Loom of Reality
Concept Store: Consumer Culture as a Medium
Owen
Jäbät & Tunteet
Sexmane
 © Aarni Kapanen 2025
00.Aarni Kapanen is a designer working at the intersection of strategic design and critical art. His practice focuses on how systems of ownership, identity, and value are constructed—often through shared cultural and visual norms. With a specialization in place and nation branding, Kapanen draws from his research-led thesis on Finland’s state brand to explore how nations communicate identity, purpose, and soft power through design. His work spans from speculative concepts to real-world strategy, often blending media art, visual communication, and narrative tools.

Before beginning any design project, it’s essential to ask: Why does this matter—and how will it stand the test of time?

Awards
  • COMBINE24: Remix the Archive
    Main Prize & Audience Favourite (with Ilmo Kapanen)
    Finnish National Gallery, 2024
  • Vuoden Huiput – Silver Prize
    Grafia, 2020


Exhibitions
  • Body–Text–Space
    Luonnos Gallery, Helsinki
    23 February – 24 March 2024
  • Combine24: Remix the Archive
    Finnish National Gallery
    20 September – 26 November 2024, Teollisuuskatu 9, Helsinki
    9 May – 21 June 2025, Dunkunsthalle, 64 Fulton St, New York City
  • Concept Store – Consumer Culture as a Medium
    Luonnos, Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
    15 August – 14 September 2025
  • Aalto ARTS Grad Show
    Väre, Aalto University Campus, Espoo
    3 September – 6 October 2025



aarnivk@gmail.com
Instagram
06.Sexmane

2021 Art Direction


I created the original logo for Finnish rap artist Sexmane, laying the foundation for his visual identity. Since then, I have done art direction in his collaboration with private healthcare provider Lääkärikeskus Aava. 

A&R: Nosh A Lody
Photography: @shoothayley
1/4    Quasar 1995, Magna Corporis