STUDIO HERRSTRÖM

Erik Herrström is a creative director and founder of STUDIO HERRSTRÖM, a branding studio that partners with those shaping the next era of culture across music, tech and entertainment. Originally from Sweden, he brings more than 20 years of experience. Erik spent the majority of his career in New York City, previously served as Brand Design Director at Spotify, and now leads the creative team at STUDIO HERRSTRÖM.

His work spans global brands including Discord, Nike, Ray-Ban Meta, YouTube and Red Bull Music, as well as artists including Whitney Houston and Elvis Presley. Erik’s projects have earned more than 130 industry awards, including gold at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, and ADC. His work has also been featured in Billboard, Forbes, Fast Company, and Wired.

Now based in Vienna, Erik is driven by a desire to create the next big thing in culture and to share inspiration and resources with other creatives pursuing the same.

In his talk at Forward Festival Frankfurt, Erik explores how deep cultural understanding, authenticity and devoted fans can elevate brands. Drawing from his experience with leading brands and artists, he unpacks the studio’s creative framework, where cultural resonance meets strategic evolution. He also shares why he and his team have left behind conventional design habits, including presenting moodboards to clients. The talk offers practical insights for designers and brands alike, showing why strong concepts consistently outlast surface-level visuals.

Erik will also share insights from his recently published book, THE ECHO: How to Design Brands That Move Culture. Written for designers, creatives, and marketers, it expands on the ideas behind his practice through personal stories, lessons learned and contributions from 18 industry leaders across Boiler Room, Nothing, MTV, and Marshall. The book will be available at the festival, where Erik will also sign copies and connect with readers.

More information about the book: https://the-echo-book.com/