The Brand Review

The Creative Journey:

In the world of design, the path to creativity is often paved with personal experiences and unique journeys. In this post, we explore the inspiring story of Erik Herrström, a talented designer and founder of STUDIO HERRSTRÖM, who shares his insights on creativity, challenges, and the importance of collaboration and culture in the design industry.

How a Personal Journey Shaped a Designer Erik's journey into design began in his early teens, sparked by his father's passion for technology and problem-solving.

Unlike many designers who grow up in creative environments, Erik found inspiration through his father's website-building projects. "When I was in my early teens, he started building websites for me and my siblings. I thought it was so interesting to start messing around with this," Erik recalls.

This early exposure to coding ignited his curiosity for design and creativity.Later, while exploring platforms like Behance, Erik discovered that a career in design was possible. "I applied for jobs all over Sweden, convincing my parents that I could actually make a living as a designer," he shares.

This determination led him to his first job, where he designed the brand for the company where his father worked, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Building STUDIO HERRSTRÖM: From Freelancing to a Full-Fledged Studio

After gaining valuable experience working for notable companies such as Spotify and RGA, Erik took a leap of faith during the pandemic to pursue freelancing.

This transition proved fruitful, leading him to establish STUDIO HERRSTRÖM. "I wanted to try freelancing, see if I could do it. The nervosity disappeared quickly, and I had a lot of fun," he explains. Erik emphasizes the importance of team dynamics in building a successful studio. "If the team doesn't feel right, if the right people are not here, then it's not going to have the right vibe.

They need to have a certain passion for what we do," he notes. This collaborative spirit and shared passion have become the foundation of STUDIO HERRSTRÖM.

The Power of Collaboration and Culture in Design

At STUDIO HERRSTRÖM, Erik prioritizes a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. "There is never a bad idea in our collaborative efforts. It's not just top-down decision-making; we come up with ideas together," he says, highlighting how this approach fosters creativity and strong project outcomes.

The studio's focus on music and entertainment has also played a vital role in its identity. Erik worked with branding expert Matt Essam to refine the studio's niche and express its unique value proposition. "Finding your niche or the way you speak about it is the big challenge. It was tremendously helpful for me to go through exercises that helped me understand how to brand myself," he shares.

The Journey Continues

Erik Herrström's journey from a curious teenager experimenting with code to a successful studio founder is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and resilience in the creative industry.

As he continues to shape the future of design at STUDIO HERRSTRÖM, his story serves as an inspiration for aspiring creatives seeking to carve their own paths.

Multi-award-winning designer, podcaster, design judge, studio founder, friend to the stars, and an all-round super nice guy.Alex Center is one of those people who can inspire you simply by being himself. No fluff, no bells, no whistles. Just a good guy with a great sense of humour and a story to tell.When we first met Alex, it felt like we’d known him our entire lives. Designer to designer, founder to founder, the struggles are real, and the rewards are the same. We landed right in the middle, a place that is, of course, an incredibly centered place for Alex. He’s on it, doing his thing and living his dream.Alongside all of that, Alex carries a real sense of responsibility to share his story: his awkward, shy upbringing, the challenges he faced, and the incredible lucky breaks that came from throwing himself into things when everyone else was asking, “Why?”That spirit is at the heart of the talk we were lucky enough to experience at the ADC this year in Hamburg. A must for anyone who’s ever felt lost or wondered if it’s ever going to happen. Alex has a simple message: fuck it, do it, jump in head first, it’s gonna be alright.Join us for this episode and discover the incredible story of Alex Center, and the friendship born between Hyperfocus and the incredible design studio that is CENTER.

An estimated six trillion dollar industry, wearable health tech is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. But for many of us, we are still asking why do I need to wear another device that monitors me every move.As health optimism fatigue sets in, people are starting to demand a more raw and unfiltered view of the industry. The reality, the grit, and the challenge of what it actually takes to achieve health goals are becoming the new narrative. We are moving away from run clubs and the overly engineered aesthetic of sports influencers. This industry has to understand how to respond quickly to these changes and behaviours, the ones that adapt and listen are the ones that will win this race.With this shift in consumer behaviour, the question is whether major health tech brands can keep up and adapt. Can they make data more accessible, more engaging, and easier to understand, while genuinely contributing to longevity?In this episode of The Business of Brand, we sit down with Martin Oberhäuser, Head of Design at Whoop, to explore these questions and more.

In the first episode of The Business of Brand, we kick things off with a deep dive into one of the most storied clubs in European football: Borussia Dortmund. We sit down with Marius Happe, Head of Marketing & Brand at BVB, to explore what it really takes to build, and protect, one of the most iconic identities in the modern game.This series is all about exploring the power of brand from the inside out. We’re going client-side, getting under the skin of how brand lives, breathes, and shapes real organization's at both a cultural and business level. What decisions are being made because of brand? And how does that play out when the stakes are high?In this episode, we take a closer look at brand identity, marketing and brand values in the world of football, and get to ask some burning questions, and get some interesting answers:What happens when fans backlash against a new kit design?How do you manage a player’s personal brand arc when he’s become a club icon, and then gets sold?Why are football clubs making the move into lifestyle and streetwear culture, and how does a brand like BVB do it authentically?Football isn’t just a game, it’s a brand ecosystem, a cultural powerhouse, and a business built on emotional connection. Come behind the scenes and discover what drives BVB beyond the 90 minutes. ⚽

🎙️ Inside Koto: A Conversation with Design Director Luke DodridgeIn this episode, we sit down with Luke Dodridge, Design Director at Koto London, and dive deep into his personal creative journey, the origin and evolution of Koto, and what makes this powerhouse design studio tick.From global rebrands to defining industry standards, Koto is setting the pace — and we get a glimpse behind the curtain. We talk culture, creativity across time zones, and ask the big question: What’s next after branding the biggest company in the world?✨ Don’t miss this honest, inspiring, and insightful chat with one of the leading voices in design today.

Interview with Damien Martone founder and designer of the Hatch conference Berlin.

Ragged Edge recently launched their new positioning and brand refresh, they are calling a “Recommitment.”A renewed declaration of who they are today, what they stand for as an agency, and how they choose to show up.The launch of their new website took the industry by storm and has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for how design studios present themselves in 2025.In this episode, we talk about the challenges of rebranding yourself while running a busy studio, the importance of measuring real-world impact, and how to communicate it meaningfully. We also dive into what’s next for the Ragged Edge team and share some sneaky insights into how you might catch their attention if you’re thinking of throwing your portfolio their way.This was an unforgettable episode, at times emotional, always honest, and full of generous wisdom.Thank you, Max, for such a thoughtful and inspiring conversation.We’re proud to call you friends and grateful for everything you and the team are doing for our industry.check out www.raggededge.com

After a noticeable dip in running culture momentum post-COVID, Nike is back with a bold new rebrand for its Running division — and it’s got three powerhouse studios behind it: Porto Rocha, Mouthwash, and Somedays.We just dropped a deep-dive episode on The Brand Review unpacking the strategy, visual system, and storytelling behind this shift — and asking the big question:mouthwash.studiowww.somedays.coportorocha.com

Seve Saro has been at it for some time now, creative one of the most important podcasts in the German creative scene.

He has interviewed some the very best designer's, artists and cultural movers of our time. Stefan Sagmeister, Mirko Borsche, Paula Scher, Mike Meire, the list is vast.

In this episode we switch the camera on him and chat about his experiences as a content creator and the future for the channel.

Check out his page here where you can acsess all the latest episodes.

ohnedenhype.com

✨ Brand of the Year Awards 2024 ✨Welcome to the most anticipated celebration of innovation, creativity, and excellence in branding! 🎉 It's The Brand of the Year Awards 2024 hosted by The Brand Review.This year's Brand of the Year Awards showcases the trailblazers, disruptors, and visionaries redefining the landscape of branding from across the globe.Check out everyone involved below.www.portorocha.comwww.jkrglobal.comwww.pentagram.comwww.figma.comwww.koto.studiowww.raggededge.comwww.dixonbaxi.comwww.wearecollins.com