From Big Picture to Fine Detail – Leading Design with Structure and Heart ♡
I am, Anna Keski-Kohtamäki, a design professional specializing in design leadership, design operations, and digital design. I am based in Helsinki, Finland.
Currently I work as a Design Agent at CORE design agency.
8+ Years in Digital Design, 10+ in Journalism
I lead multidisciplinary teams, facilitate workshops, and build scalable design practices across in-house and consultancy settings. My strengths lie in
facilitation and organisation,
analytical thinking,
creating clarity,
structuring complex processes,
and enabling teams to do their best work.
I have experience leading design teams of 10–13 digital designers. Recently, as a consultant, I grew a team from three to ten designers, building a strong and collaborative design function for a multi-year public sector program. I created a tailored design process for the program, grounded in design thinking and built in collaboration with designers and other key stakeholders. I initiated and facilitated the adoption of a design system for an internal tool through calculations and visual presentation to program leadership. Read more about the case >
I enjoy tackling bottlenecks, shaping tools and workflows, and bringing structure that supports creativity and psychological safety. With a background in journalism and visual production, I also bring strong communication skills, analytical thinking, and a natural ability to connect people.
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2026-
Design Agent working on understanding clients’ design needs and matching them with the best design talents .
Design Sales
Talent Agent
Design Operations -
2022-2025
Design Consultant working with several different clients.
Design Leadership
Design Operations
Service Design
UX/UI Design
Content Design
UX Writing
Usability Testing
Sales Materials+ Internal role at Gofore as a Lead Expert for Agile Design & Leadership Expertice Area.
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2021-2022
Accounting & Finance Platform Netvisor
Design System
Leadership
Facilitation
Workshops
Innovation Project Lead -
2019-2021
Accounting & Finance Platform ProcountorUX/UI Design
AI Design, AI Identity
Innovation Project Lead
Design System
Facilitation
Workshops
User Research -
2017-2019
I worked with several different clients e.g. Wowanders - AI Powerd Travel App.
UX/UI Design
UX Writing
User Research
User Testing
Facilitation
Workshops
Website Production
Content Design
SEO
Marketing Material
Photography
PR
Anna Keski-Kohtamäki, Sole Trader -
2017, Stockholm
Digital Music Distribution Platform
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Gastronomy & Travel Blogger
2011-2015
I wrote and photographed two blogs focusing on food, recipes, wine, travel and lifestyle.
Journalism Career
2003-2014
Photo Editor • Alma Media
Photo Editor, Photographer, Reprographer, Writer • Helsingin Sanomat newspaper
Photo Editor • SanomaPro
Photo Editor, trainee • Lehtikuva
Editorial Assistant, trainee • Otava
Editorial Assistant • Journalisti-lehti
Editorial Assistant, Writer • Yhtyneet kuvalehdet
My Experience
Education
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2016-2017, Stockholm, Sweden
Diploma from Interactive Art Director Program (currently called Design Lead Program).
Passed with Distinction.
Hyper Island -
2005-2008
Certificate in Visual Expression, Photography.
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1996-1998
Vocational Qualification in Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services
Trainings & Certificates
First Time Manager | 12/2025-6/2026, Aalto EE
Content Design | 2025, Gofore
Agile Philosphy 101 | 2024, Gofore
From Expert to Impactful Communicator | 2023, Public Speaking Training Ilo by Niina Sainius / Gofore
DesignOps Foundation Learning Lab | 2023, DesignOps Assembly
Accessibility in Graphic and UX Design | 2022, Erto by Elina Jokisuu
Leading Complex Projects | 2022, IDEO U
UX Management: Strategy and Tactics | 2022, IxDF - Interaction Design Foundation
Lean IT Foundation | 2021, Tieturi / APMG International
Scrum Master Certified (SMC) | 2020, Scrum.org
Facilitating Change | 2020, Aalto University
Enterprice Design Thinking Practicioner & Team Essentials for AI | 2020, IBM
Elements of AI | 2019, University of Helsinki
SEO Online Course | 2019, Marinella Himari