Meet Axel Lassinantti, a software engineer at Softhouse in Luleå. He has a unique background in video game development and loves to combine his passion for technology with creativity, not just in his work but also in his personal life.

Work-Life – More Than Just Code

In Axel’s daily life as a software engineer, problem-solving is the focus. He describes his work simply:

In short, I solve problems, mainly with programming, he says.

But it’s not all about code. Documentation and maintenance are also important parts of the job. Currently, Axel is working as a consultant at the Swedish Customs, where he plays a key role in developing system solutions for handling import declarations.

Right now, I’m working as a consultant at the Swedish Customs, helping them develop the latest version of their system solution for managing import declarations. A task with a significant focus on data security and testing to ensure everything is declared correctly.

The Driving Passion

For Axel, it’s the constant learning and challenges that motivate him at work. He has a passion for learning more, not just on the technical front but everything else related to the work. This thirst for knowledge has led him through a versatile career, from video games to his current assignment at the Swedish Customs.

I have a passion for solving problems, but also for learning more, and not just in terms of how to best develop a technical solution, but also various domain-specific things that one has never even considered how they actually work, Axel shares.

He continues:

I’ve worked with case management systems for various purposes, and all require their own nuances and customizations to be used as efficiently as possible but also to support the laws and regulations the system must follow. Questions like how much and what needs to be logged, what each user should have permission to see and do, and various other questions one must ask to solve a problem in a good way.

Technology choices and favorite tools

When it comes to technology choices, Axel has a special love for game engines because of his background in video game development, but he is open to most technology choices and tools. However, he emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tools for the right project.

Each tool has its own area of use, and one usually prefers things one is familiar with. If I personally were to start a new full-stack project at the moment, I would use an Angular frontend and a C# / .Net Core backend. If the objective had been different, the tools would have been too, Axel explains.

And adds:

Getting to use a game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine has to be especially nice; given my background, it’s perhaps not surprising that I have a soft spot for video games and their building blocks.

Life outside coding – From video games to creative expressions

When we interview Axel, it’s clear that his career journey is as colorful as his personality. With a foundation in video game development, he has navigated various roles, from maintaining old interfaces to exploring new technologies like AR and VR. This journey reflects his openness to new experiences and his desire to learn more constantly.

I have an educational background in video game development, which I studied in Skellefteå, where I also began my career as a consultant at Tieto’s (now Tieto Evry) IFO department (individual and family care) shortly after my education. After a few years of maintaining a 20-year-old application and modernizing it, I found myself in Luleå after a time in both Skellefteå and as far south as Umeå; happy to have come closer to my home regions in Tornedalen, Axel shares.

He continues.

I have worked with various IT solutions and have gotten to try a lot so far. In addition to my current assignment at the Swedish Customs, Lule and Neava have given me the opportunity to work primarily at Design Studio, which I am pleased about. There, I have had the opportunity to work with everything I like, from general full-stack issues to adaptable solutions of various kinds, to performance issues regarding graphics rendering in Unity, to scalability and productification in AWS. But also had the opportunity to explore and develop prototypes within both AR and VR, as well as had the chance to supervise thesis students often in their first steps into the workforce.

A creative soul

In his free time, Axel explores other creative arenas, from the kitchen to music and art.

Right now, I’m more likely to be in the kitchen whipping something up, behind the guitar playing something familiar, or at the easel creating—mostly to get away from the perpetual screen that this type of work requires.

When asked if Axel has a secret talent, we learn about his newfound interest in painting, inspired by an artistic grandfather. Once again, this shows a person who is not afraid to try new paths and forms of expression.

I don’t know if I have a secret talent; I’ve been carrying around a guitar for 15 years, but I definitely lack talent for it. Tone deafness and lack of rhythm are definitely limitations that make themselves known. If anything, it might be my newfound interest in art, rooted in a long-drawn-out school time and the artistic heritage I’ve received from my grandfather. Today it involves a lot of acrylic and watercolor paintings, but there’s much to learn, and I have a long way to go, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see the progress in what I can throw together, Axel shares with enthusiasm.

Do you want to be part of our team? We are constantly looking for new colleagues. Have what it takes? Do our consultancy quiz or take a look at our vacancies and read more.