Kimi Laurila lives in Poland and works as an animator and motion designer at Capgemini in Kraków. The path that led him there began in a small Finnish town, continued through international projects and unexpected opportunities, and was shaped by a strong willingness to say yes whenever something new appeared.
While studying lower secondary school in Oulainen, Kimi already had a sense that he wanted to work in a visual field. When the school guidance counsellor mentioned vocational school in Raahe, the decision felt natural. “Lybecker Media Centre at Brahe Education Centre was my first choice. It was close enough, and from the very beginning it felt like a homely place,” he recalls. He started his studies straight after comprehensive school in 2017.
At Brahe Education Centre, Kimi appreciated the freedom to tailor his studies according to his interests. During the first year, he focused on graphic design, while the second and third years drew him increasingly towards photography and video. “I have very warm memories of all the teachers,” he says, adding that informal moments such as lunch breaks and coffee times were essential in forming friendships.
An Erasmus project in 2018 proved to be a turning point. His school participated in a project called AnimPolFin, which brought together students from Finland and Poland. During a two-week project in Poland, Kimi met Zuza, who would later become his partner. Less than two years after graduating, Kimi found work in Poland and made the move permanent.
Making the Most of Student Life
Kimi describes his time at Brahe Education Centre as a period of saying yes to opportunities. In his second year, he co-founded a Junior Achievement practice company with two fellow students, focusing on mural painting. The company advanced all the way from regional semi-finals to the national Uskalla Yrittää final in Helsinki. “It was an amazing experience to get that far,” Kimi says.
Junior Achievement company Jotta NY, 2019. From left: Jenna Uusitalo, Kimi, and Iida Tornberg.
The experience also led to a job shadowing opportunity with senior business leaders, including a day spent shadowing Manpower Group’s HR Director. “It was exciting and genuinely interesting to see that world up close.”
During his third year, Kimi completed a two-and-a-half-month internship at a production company in Riihimäki, working closely on a television series and documenting the filming process. “It was a completely unbelievable experience,” he says, highlighting the value of professional networks and courage to apply. The company was owned by the well-known Finnish actor Janne Kataja, and Kimi had the opportunity to work with him.
An international exchange in Munich followed, although it was cut short after just one week due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Despite the short time, the experience left a strong impression. “It was a good week. I managed to do a surprising amount in that time,” Kimi notes.
Working Life from Finland to Poland
After graduation, Kimi moved to Oulu, where he worked briefly as a taxi driver before finding a role in a photography studio. Soon after, Zuza encouraged him to consider job opportunities in Poland. The process moved quickly: “Two weeks after sending my application, I had a signed contract.”
At Capgemini, Kimi initially worked remotely in IT support for a Finnish client, using Finnish as his working language. Later, a chance encounter with an in-house animation team sparked a new direction. “I saw drawing tablets, After Effects open on screens, colour palettes everywhere – and I just went to talk to them,” he recalls. After a lengthy internal process, he transitioned into the animation team.
Starting as an animator felt a bit scary at first. “I wasn’t completely sure of my skills,” Kimi admits, although he trusted his foundation in visual work. “Now I notice that every week I’m getting better. In this field, you have to stay open to learning new things.”
Today, Kimi works in an international team where English is the working language. His role focuses on animation and storyboarding, but collaboration and clear file organisation are equally important. “It’s not just about animating – everything has to be done so that someone else can continue your work if needed.”
Looking Back – and Forward
Reflecting on his journey, Kimi is grateful for the environment that encouraged him to explore. “When I arrived at Lybecker Media Centre in Brahe on my first day, I couldn’t have imagined all the opportunities that would come,” he says. “Whenever something came up that I could join, I said yes.”
His former school still holds a special place for him. “It’s a place where I really felt at home. Many of us were a bit sad when we graduated – it felt like there were still so many things we could have done.”
For now, Kimi’s focus is on deepening his expertise as a motion designer. He enjoys his work because it constantly challenges him to grow – a mindset that has carried him from Finland to Poland, and from student projects to an international career.