Nicklas Haslestad
Creative Director, Designer
In their own words
We wanted a reliable Swiss grotesk workhorse, and Monument had that little quirk we could lean into – the ‘bean shape’ in the counters.
Branding a coffee shop or bar or restaurant can feel like a reset between bigger, corporate projects.
In 2021, Universal Design might be a given, but we had to take it specifically into account since this brand is first and foremost designed for vocational education students at junior high school.
These illustrations let the students understand abstract thematics (e.g. fiction) in a more engaging way.
We created a digital design programme that made it easy for everyone working with the identity to behold control.
The books have now been tested more in-depth, and continue to impress.
It’s a solid team that can solve any challenge we face.
No more questions, no more emails – it’s always right there.
The world’s leading studios are giving us valuable feedback every single day.
Articles & interviews3
- How a Norwegian duo transformed alchemy into Kaffebaren’s identity
Norwegian designers Vetle Majgren Uthaug and Nicklas Haslestad, now operating as The Firm, created a concept-driven identity for Kaffebaren, a Norwegian coffee bar. Drawing inspiration from alchemy, the brand expresses transformation and craftsmanship through symbolic design, custom typography from Dinamo, and a warm, material-led palette. The project balances conceptual storytelling with practical deliverables on a modest budget, resulting in a distinctive and philosophical coffee brand identity.
- SDG’s identity system for Fagbokforlaget sets a new precedent for academic textbooks
Scandinavian Design Group developed a new identity and editorial system for Norwegian publisher Fagbokforlaget, applying Universal Design principles to create an accessible and engaging academic textbook brand. The project features a modular, colour-coded system, dual illustration styles, and Helvetica Neue typography to ensure clarity and inclusivity. The result sets a new standard for educational publishing design.
- Nicklas Haslestad details leading the digital brand guidelines revolution at Brandpad