We started our company-wide remote working on Friday 13th of March. A #remotework channel was created on Slack, and since then our community has been sharing tips on staying sane and funny stories from their new remote working life. We asked a few of these people to share their stories and their “new normal”.
This is Helena’s story:
What is your role? Which team?
My name is Helena Valtonen and I am working as a Visual Design consultant in our Design and Strategy unit. I also help our Marketing and Talent Acquisition team every now and then in creating visuals for marketing and employer branding activities. I love our brainstorming sessions!
What are you working on?
Oh, I’m always doing something cool and exciting! This week we are doing identifications and signage to a public space, which is a bit challenging because we cannot test on site or do any interviews but a huge task and a very interesting challenge. Also doing UI to this new service, which helps people to monitor their energy usage and do better in the future. To name a few.
What do you love about your job? How long have you worked at Solita?
I’ve been here almost 6 years! Longer than at any other company during my career and I’ve done this a loooong time, over 20 years – I know I look younger haha. I love the fact that even though Solita is an international company, we still have this very easy going vibe to it, like a little company atmosphere. But all the benefits from the big company like swimming pools, the transport ticket benefit, a phone, laptop, rooftop terrace with a grill in our Helsinki office, game room, private burlesque classes (that I organise)…. Even though we are a digital company, I have done graphic identities, photoshoots, videos, magazines, interior design etc. It’s a very versatile workplace for a graphic designer.
Colleagues are the best! If you do not have the answer, you can very quickly find someone who does. There are a looooot of opportunities to learn more all the time. I want to have a better understanding and am super into how to better utilise data in graphic work. That being said, check out this blog by my colleagues.
What’s your biggest passion(s)?
I want to make the world a better place and simultaneously provide value for our clients. I want to build such a trust based relationship with the client that we can ideate and solve problems as equals. I always want the client to feel as though I have helped before they realise the upcoming challenges. It would be wonderful if our clients would understand to bring their problems to us at an early stage – because then we can solve them better together.
I love burlesque and staffies! Do a little photography, a bit of stand up comedy. Basics.
If you’re interested in burlesque, check out my burlesque account on Instagram @bonbon_giggles!
What’s your most impactful experience at Solita so far?
Too many, seriously. Many of the projects we are working on will have huge effects on people’s everyday life. But maybe our overall togetherness and team spirit is tangible on a daily basis; you can go to Oulu or another office and someone will immediately come ask you to lunch. There is this constant feeling of always feeling welcomed.
What brightens your #remotework day?
I do mostly work remotely from home anyway, so this is normal for me. I come to the office when I miss my friends or have a workshop or such. Also, now I’m learning to use Figma, and in a normal situation I sit next to this guru guy at the office who helps me – thank god, but even in the remote setting he can support my learning, which is great!
Now, I start my day by putting some red lipstick on (I need it to feel like I’m on duty) and go for a walk with Buugi. He makes sure that I get up from my desk and move, because he gives me sloppy kisses every 45 minutes. I do not have to go to work and back by public transportation, which saves me over two hours a day! So by the time I do my online burlesque class, I’m not already totally exhausted and can give it my all! And of course I now have more time with my husband too.
Wash those paws hoomans!
– Helena
