"The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way."

-Unknown
"An idea is formed in our head and comes from the heart and is crafted through our hands. We are designers."

-AIGA

recommendations:

"I am happy to recommend Ryan Herras as one of the most insightful, thorough and creative designers I know. Over the past ten years, Ryan was a senior member of the team...who created and evolved the Ocean Spray package design system for virtually all our retail products. His professionalism and vision is a major factor in our shelf presence today."

Randy Swann, Design Manager | Ocean Spray Cranberries
www.oceanspray.com
"While a student at the Academy of Art University, Ryan was outstanding in every way. He was a generous collaborator with his fellow classmates, always ready to share good ideas and be helpful. His own work was of the highest standard and his ability to solve visual problems was always right on target. I would recommend him for any creative endeavor he might choose to accomplish."

Mary Scott, Director Emerita
School of Graphic Design | Academy of Art University
AAU Graphic Design Dept.
“Ryan is an incredible creator of design for industry and visual effects of lasting authority. I have had the privilege of working with this guiding light in San Francisco and distant global headquarters. Today, he has also become a genuine leader and major influence for many young and older designers. Those coming into the field, and those in need of testing their abilities, may find along the way, many new roads created by this unforgettable fabulous American designer, Ryan Herras.”

-Primo Angeli
californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/past/primo-angeli-evolution-of-a-legendary-designer/
“Ryan Herras is a visionary in the design and creative industry, whose leadership and innovative approach have consistently driven teams to exceed expectations. His ability to merge creativity with practicality results in designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. Ryan’s commitment to excellence, collaborative spirit, and mentorship have greatly contributed to the success of our projects. It’s rare to find a leader who is as dedicated to their craft and to the growth of their team as Ryan is.”

Dion Peyrefitte, Chief Financial Officer
Red Monkey Foods | SF Salt Co.
"Ryan and I worked together as junior creatives long ago. I've been a fan of his aesthetic from day one, and I always check his availability for high profile projects today because I trust his taste and eye. No one knows more about typography, and I haven't met an art director that loves design more than Ryan. If you're accountable for brand identity, logo, or packaging work and need someone you can trust to perform proper brand due diligence, and deliver a range of great work on time, Ryan is your guy."

Rob Esmundo, Associate Creative Director at Media Monks
www.media.monks.com
"Ryan has a long history of doing great creative work. One of his many talents is the ability to work with icons of the industry and pull out amazing results. His years working closely with Primo Angeli is truly an asset to his clients and teams. The ability to do this for so long is a strong testament to his talent, his approachability, and his intelligence to see it as the amazing opportunity it has been."

Ric Peralta, Founder at Resn America, Former CEO at ATTIK
www.resn.co.nz
“Ryan has an impressive & brilliant creative mind with strong & fast execution capability. Super professional and responsive, not to mention a pleasure to work with. He delivered to us several of our best new packaging designs for our brands. He is definitely an asset for any company in need of a very creative and effective Art Director!”

Rubens Taveira | Director of Marketing at IBERIA FOODS
"I've known Ryan for almost two decades now and am amazed that he still has the passion for design that he had when we worked together at Landor Associates way back then. He always stood out to me as a creative that really enjoyed what he did and you can see that it showed in his work. As a friend, I am still in touch with Ryan because he has a genuine and easy going attitude that makes it truely a pleasure to hang with or just chat about life, family and occasionally about work stuff."

Dexter Lee, Design Director, Trinity Brand Group Inc. | Creative Director at PATH
www.trinitybrandgroup.com
www.drinkpathwater.com
www.landor.com
"Ryan's skill and expertise have been invaluable…Ryan is absolutely one of the best in the business, with an amazing pedigree. Hiring Ryan was one of the best business decisions I have made in over 15 years owning the San Francisco Salt Company. Ryan's ingenuity and enthusiasm shine..he is more than willing to collaborate in all aspects of branding, product development and marketing. But the icing on the cake is Ryan's contagious fun and enthusiastic personality that rubs off on all of those around him - Good Times!"

Lee Williamson, Founder, CEO
SF Salt Co. + EPSOAK®
www.sfsalt.com | www.epsoak.com
read more: SF SALT CO + SF EQUITY PARTNERS
"In preparation for a new, important piece of business, we sought Ryan's design expertise… He was efficient and highly collaborative…We won that piece of business and the client is still with us today! I recommend Ryan if you, like me, just need solid advice on what looks good, especially when you don't have time to re-invent the wheel!"

June Parina, Partner at Mighty
www.mightypr.com
I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ryan...Not only has he been a great coworker, but also an inspirational and motivating team leader that doubled as a mentor to me. I am always in awe of the passion and love he has for design....His willingness to listen and collaborate with team members makes him such a valuable team player.

Inez Timpe | Creative Director @ Amy’s Kitchen
www.amys.com

about Ryan:

I’m Ryan, an award-winning creative with deep expertise in branding, identity, and packaging design for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space. I’ve honed my craft over many invaluable years working alongside some of the most respected designers, illustrators, and branding agencies in the SF Bay Area, delivering creative and purposeful design solutions for both legacy brands and emerging trailblazers.

I partner with founders, marketers, and entrepreneurs—ranging from national brands to local businesses—to help grow their brands and bring their creative visions to life. Whether you need strategic design, fresh ideas, or collaboration, I’m here to inspire, create, and make the process enjoyable. I work with clients who value creativity, heart, and collaboration, and I’m passionate about bringing those qualities to every project. Oh, and if you need a bit of humor to keep things light, I’ve got that covered too!

Expertise

CREATIVE THINKING, CONCEPTS + IDEATION
CREATIVE ART DIRECTION
BRANDMARK + BRAND IDENTITY SYSTEMS
BRAND PACKAGING DESIGN + SYSTEMS
DESIGN + TYPOGRAPHY

Education

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY / www.academyart.edu

Agency Experience

PRIMO ANGELI : FITCH / SENIOR DESIGNER /  www.fitch.com
PRIMO ANGELI INC. / DESIGNER + COLLABORATOR / read more >
LANDOR ASSOCIATES SF /  DESIGNER /  www.landor.com
STAPLEY HILDEBRAND / LEAD SR. DESIGNER /  www.shredsf.com
TRINITY BRAND GROUP / CONSULTANT /  www.trinitybrandgroup.com
STERLING BRANDS /  CONSULTANT / www.sterlingbrands.com

Honors + Awards

Creative Teams: Fellow Designers, Directors, Illustrators & Amazing Clients

The Mentor: Primo Angeli

I was in my senior year at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco when I landed a high-profile project with my design mentor, Primo Angeli—the legendary figure in brand identity, packaging, and poster design. Our first collaboration was the globally recognized Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics skater poster, followed by the redesign of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce logo. That early opportunity grew into a lasting creative partnership and a meaningful friendship.

My career officially began with an internship at Primo’s renowned design firm, Primo Angeli Inc., located in Potrero Hill, where I was immersed in the rigor and clarity of branding, illustration, and packaging. The firm was home to a respected family of designers, and I was fortunate to learn from many of San Francisco’s most accomplished creatives—an experience that laid the foundation for years spent honing my craft alongside top designers, illustrators, and branding agencies throughout California’s Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Throughout my senior year, I continued working closely with Primo at his home-based studio in Mill Valley, CA—alongside Deanie and their spirited young pup, Nick. After graduation, I returned to Primo Angeli Inc. as a full-time designer, continuing to grow under Primo’s guidance and the influence of a studio culture that deeply shaped my creative voice.