Making Do

Tell us about yourself—what do you do?
I’m a creative director, and I also make short films. I guess I’ve always liked making things. I used to have my own TV show in Finland, and I started out with a YouTube channel—that was more than 10 years ago, before YouTubers became famous.

What are some of your favourite films?
I like arthouse films, but I also enjoy more lowbrow and mainstream stuff, comedies like Naked Gun, or Anchorman, silly things like these. As for favourite filmmakers, I like Taika Waititi—he strikes a great balance between cerebral and stupid. His comedy has a lot of soul. I really like his Eagle Vs. Shark.

What’s something that isn’t taught in schools, but that you think everyone should learn?
I was a very studious kid, and I really enjoyed my time in university, but these days I believe in learning by doing, so I’d say everyone should just start doing things.

You made your own bag—tell us more about that.
I found the laptop bags available out there to be quite ugly, so I decided to make my own. After I was done, I realised it was quite ugly too, but it’s been sturdy. It’s lasted me 10 years so far, so it’s funny that it took me this long to realise it was a good product.

Where’s your favourite place you’ve lived in, or travelled to?
I quite like Vietnam; I spent several months there last year working on my projects. I like Japan a lot as well, but nothing beats my native Finland for its magical light, and the most absurd adventures of my life that I’ve had there. That place is something else.