 A
competition was held to help the organization find a logo for the
JWGC 2009. The competition was more popular than expected - dozens
of entries were received which were weighed by many aviators at
Räyskälä.One
proposition rose above others - Jukka Seppänen left nobody cold with
his unconventional work. Here we learn something about the artist
behind the logo.
Who are you?
My name is Jukka Seppänen. I was born in the beginning of 1960's in
the city of Lappeenranta in eastern Finland. I moved because of work
to the Helsinki area in 1983. Nowadays I work as a graphic designer
at a company that is focused on marketing events. The main thing
that makes my working day enjoyable is designing layouts for all
kinds of enterprises, communities and events. In the 1990's I made
some illustrations for the Finnish Aeronautical Association for use
in its learning material of gliding.
How did you get the idea for this winner logo?
My
idea was to make the logo the kind that comes from "the same world"
as the target group, which on this occasion is youth.
How did you end up working in the graphic design?
I have
always been enthusiastic to draw and it was very natural to look for
a job where I could express myself. In the beginning of the 80's I
went through almost all the advertising offices in Helsinki looking
for an apprentices post. With me I had a pile of drawings tied with
a belt. I didn't find a job then, but when working as a decorator I
got to know Helsinki like the back of my hand. Later on I studied to
be a graphic designer in advertising and I have modified my job
description to be closer to my youth's "dream job".
Are you an aviator yourself?
I
remember when I was younger how I used to gaze up to the sky of
Lappeenranta watching the gliders soaring above. The spark I felt
back then was lost somewhere in the back of my mind when I moved to
Helsinki. In the beginning of the 90' something clicked and I
remembered the visions of my youth about the white wings gliding in
the sky. I wanted to get up there as well, so I took part in a
gliding course organized by the Espoo Aviation Club and that was
it... For many summer vacations and weekends I used to tent in
Räyskälä and became part of aviation there. It was great!
Have you ever competed in gliding?
I have
never been a competitive person and that was the case with gliding
also. It was enough for me to enjoy the clouds and familiar views of
Räyskälä.
How about flying cross country?
Once I
dared to fly as far as Tammela (10 km from Räyskälä) - or at least I
saw it in the horizon...!
How is Jukka the pilot doing today?
After
having a family flying had to take a back seat as I had to
prioritise between my family and hobbies. But when the first cumulus
clouds appear in the sky or when I gaze up to see planes in the sky
from my veranda, I can still feel something stirring in my heart.
One day I will be back in the skies of Räyskälä!
Hot tip for the competitors?
"Drop
behind early enough so that you will have more time to reach the
others." |
The
man behind the logo, Jukka Seppänen