Salolainen graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1992 with a major in Textile Art and Design. In the beginning of her career she worked as an artist and freelance textile designer in her studio in Düsseldorf, Germany and later Vienna, Austria before moving toher current home town  Helsinki, Finland. Her artistic work includes woven pieces, paintings, installations, and commissions for public spaces. Salolainen has been exhibited internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions in museums and art galleries.

After 2002 Salolainen has focused on artistic and design work in commercial context,  see Design work and Creative Direction