Dream job! Indian Parvati Pillai moved to Finland and now gets to illustrate Moomin mugs: “I’m a bit like Moominmamma myself”

You’re originally from India. How did you end up in Finland?

I had always wanted to study abroad. I got into Aalto University and moved here in 2016. I didn’t know if I would stay long, but I fell in love with Finnish culture and the silence. It felt like arriving home. Here, I could explore different fields of study instead of following one narrow path as I would have had to in India. During my studies, I began illustrating and set up a business under my name. As a freelancer, I worked for companies such as WSOY (a Finnish publishing company), Google, and Facebook.

How did you first get to know the Moomins?

The first time I saw Moomin characters was at the Iittala store in the Iso Omena shopping center in Espoo. I liked them right away. Then, in 2022, I saw a notice that Moomin Arabia was looking for an illustrator for the Moomin characters. It’s probably every illustrator’s dream job. My partner encouraged me to apply, and I got the job. Now I work on the design team for Moomin mugs.

The importance of family and friends, central to Moomin stories, is captured in the new “Ystävät ikuisesti” (Friends Forever) collection that Pillai illustrated.

How do you feel about Finland now?

I appreciate how close nature is here. And the vacations! I was shocked at first that I got four weeks off. People here understand that happiness is about more than money and possessions, and workers are protected. I also appreciate the Finnish education system and healthcare, which can be expensive in many other countries. The only challenge is the language, but it’s a small price to pay for all that's good here.

What does your job involve?

I search for and suggest ideas for new Moomin mugs. I study the archives, and we decide everything as a team. We also get requests from people. I illustrate glass and ceramics, make sketches, and develop color schemes. At the Iittala glass factory, I learned how glass behaves. Ceramics allow for more detailed designs.

Lastly, tell us about your hobbies!

I like to garden. We have a small glass-enclosed balcony where I grow all sorts of things. My partner is also from India, and he likes to bathe in the sauna. When we chose our home, a sauna and space to grow plants were absolute musts. In the summer, we grow beans, okra, berries, flowers, and even a big rose bush on our balcony. In that sense, I’m a bit like Moominmamma myself.