About

Laura Sorvala is an illustrator and graphic recorder known for creative thinking and being able to turn key ideas into inspiring illustrations. Her images have supported research teams, organisations and charities to engage audiences all over the world.

Laura_at_ISSP.jpg

Meet Laura Sorvala

Hello and nice to meet you! I'm Laura, an illustrator with a knack for taking complex ideas and translating them into lovely and accessible images.

I'm passionate about creative communication that truly serves the purpose and my approach combines well honed skills in visual thinking and illustration. This stems from a background in graphic design and spending years doing creative collaboration in visual arts, theatre and participatory arts projects.

I have been hired by IKEA, Nesta, The Young Foundation, Ordnance Survey, Tate, Welsh Government, the NHS and many universities, innovation and service design agencies. I love to draw scientific, environmental and social justice themes and can handle academic lingo and expert topics.

Want to see some of my work? Take a look at my projects, learn more about my services and get in touch to discuss the best way to bring value to your organisation.

Selected clients

Arts Council of Wales • Arup • Cardiff University • Carers Trust Wales • Co-production Network Wales • Geovation • GW4 Alliance • Hydrock • IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative • IKEA • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) • Natural Resources Wales • Nesta • Nexthink • NHS Wales • OneTeamGov • Public Health Wales • Royal Holloway • Studio Response • Swansea University • University of London • Tate Galleries • The Young Foundation • Trinity College Dublin • University of Exeter • University of Oxford • Viadynamics • WCVA • Welsh Government • Y Lab

Themes and topics I have worked with:

Climate change

Environmental engineering

Mental health

Cybersecurity

Safeguarding in healthcare

Deaf culture

Intergenerational learning

Climate change Environmental engineering Mental health Cybersecurity Safeguarding in healthcare Deaf culture Intergenerational learning

Memory and identity

Education

Decolonisation

Co-production

Digital employee experience (DEX)

Volunteering and caring

Antiracism and intersectionality

Memory and identity Education Decolonisation Co-production Digital employee experience (DEX) Volunteering and caring Antiracism and intersectionality

Dementia

Menstrual health

Marine sciences

Renewable energy

Digital technology & AI

Museums and heritage sites

Biodiversity and pollination

Probation and policing

Hate studies

Dementia Menstrual health Marine sciences Renewable energy Digital technology & AI Museums and heritage sites Biodiversity and pollination Probation and policing Hate studies

Still reading? Here's a bit more background:

  • I set up my illustration business in 2011 after a career in graphic design. However, I was drawing and copying cartoonists from a young age – I was the kid in class who drew all over text books so the signs were all there!

  • I got into live illustration after realising the process is exactly how my brain works. A bit uncanny at first! Nowadays I love a mix of live and studio work to satisfy my curiosity.

  • I'm fluent in English, Finnish and visual icons: I often say graphic recording is like translation but using a visual vocabulary instead words.

  • I’m originally from Finland (Hyvä Suomi!) and I’m based in Cardiff, Wales. It works great: I get to enjoy the mountains, forests and sea whilst supporting clients across the world.

  • I recharge my creative batteries by spending time outdoors, either in the garden or going for walks. If I've had a busy week the best thing I can do is to hike up a hill!

  • I used to compete in gymnastics when I was younger but these days I stick to yoga / pilates / running with varying degrees of continuity.