Originally from Sweden, Erik has 20+ years of experience working for brands such as Spotify, Nike, Discord, Airbnb, Beats by Dre, Sound.xyz, Sony Music, Native Instruments and Google. He now runs Studio Herrström, a design studio helping music tech companies go beyond product offerings to connect authentically with consumers.

Erik has spent the majority of his career in New York City working at Spotify, R/GA and Stink Studios.


Early in his teenage years Erik started exploring interactive design and in 2004, at age 14, he completed his first commercial project. He continued, independently, to design and build websites for small businesses alongside school throughout his teens. In 2008, without any relevant education, Erik was hired as a Designer to join the in-house agency of Svenska Spel. During his 18 months working next to a seasoned team, creating mostly animated digital campaigns, he was taught how to work at a high pace while still maintaining a good level of craft. In 2010, Erik was accepted into the Digital Media program at Hyper Island. There he was faced with creative briefs and challenges, often by real life clients such as Vogue and GQ. Hyper Island is a school like no other and offers an alternative way of learning where students completely learn by doing, in craft and also team dynamics. While finalizing the studies at Hyper Island in 2011, Erik moved to New York City. With a focus on interactive design, branding and art direction he joined R/GA. During his 3+ years at R/GA, he mainly designed for Nike, but also Google, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Ebay and more. He belonged to R/GA New York, but he also spent a shorter period of time at R/GA London. During these years at R/GA, Erik had the opportunity to teach at the School of Visual Arts in New York. There he taught image composition to senior students during workshops. In 2015, Erik was appointed by Stink Studios to become an Art Director. There he created interactive experiences and campaigns for clients such as Google, Facebook, Sidewalk Labs, GE and Chevrolet. After nearly two years at Stink Studios, Erik was offered to join Spotify’s In-House agency and to reunite with some of his former team members from R/GA. During the following four years Erik led design on brand identity projects, interactive experiences, installations, photo shoots and campaigns. Erik has during his nearly nine years in New York City worked on projects recognized by Cannes Lions, Art Directors Club and One Show Awards and more. In total he has won over hundred industry awards. His work has been featured in global press such as Fast Company, The Verge, Creative Review, Communication Arts, Billboard and Wired. Erik has served as a judge for the Webby Awards and FWA since 2015.

Erik has spent the majority of his career in New York City working at Spotify, R/GA and Stink Studios. Early in his teenage years Erik started exploring interactive design and in 2004, at age 14, he completed his first commercial project. He continued, independently, to design and build websites for small businesses alongside school throughout his teens. In 2008, without any relevant education, Erik was hired as a Designer to join the in-house agency of Svenska Spel. During his 18 months working next to a seasoned team, creating mostly animated digital campaigns, he was taught how to work at a high pace while still maintaining a good level of craft. In 2010, Erik was accepted into the Digital Media program at Hyper Island. There he was faced with creative briefs and challenges, often by real life clients such as Vogue and GQ. Hyper Island is a school like no other and offers an alternative way of learning where students completely learn by doing, in craft and also team dynamics. While finalizing the studies at Hyper Island in 2011, Erik moved to New York City. With a focus on interactive design, branding and art direction he joined R/GA. During his 3+ years at R/GA, he mainly designed for Nike, but also Google, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Ebay and more. He belonged to R/GA New York, but he also spent a shorter period of time at R/GA London. During these years at R/GA, Erik had the opportunity to teach at the School of Visual Arts in New York. There he taught image composition to senior students during workshops. In 2015, Erik was appointed by Stink Studios to become an Art Director. There he created interactive experiences and campaigns for clients such as Google, Facebook, Sidewalk Labs, GE and Chevrolet. After nearly two years at Stink Studios, Erik was offered to join Spotify’s In-House agency and to reunite with some of his former team members from R/GA. During the following four years Erik led design on brand identity projects, interactive experiences, installations, photo shoots and campaigns. Erik has during his nearly nine years in New York City worked on projects recognized by Cannes Lions, Art Directors Club and One Show Awards and more. In total he has won over hundred industry awards. His work has been featured in global press such as Fast Company, The Verge, Creative Review, Communication Arts, Billboard and Wired. Erik has served as a judge for the Webby Awards and FWA since 2015.

 

Client Experience

Spotify
Nike
Google
Samsung
Beats by Dre
Youtube
Discord
Meta

Vogue
GQ
Airbnb
Twitter
Coca-Cola
Sony Music
Android
Sidewalk Labs

A1
Nespresso
Tchibo
Getty Images
Native Instruments
Innocent Drinks
Toward
Nokia

GE
Ebay
Chevrolet
Vertigo Music
Digital Arts
Cirque de Soleil
Low-Fi Concerts
Altruist