CREATIVE

AT HEART.

I’m Ryan, an award-winning creative and designer at heart with a lifelong passion for branding, identity, and packaging design. I’ve spent my career learning and working alongside some of the best creative minds in the San Francisco Bay Area, shaping global consumer brands, and helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.

Creative ideation is my favorite part of the process. The big ideas, the what-ifs, connecting the dots, and seeing where they lead. Along the way, I’ve learned that great work is just as much about the people as it is about the ideas. Every project and every team has a story I carry with me.

My outlook is rooted in two simple words: Mahalo & Mabuhay. Gratitude for the journey and a genuine wish for others to live well. I bring that spirit, an easygoing attitude, and a good sense of humor to everything I do. Great ideas, good people, and enjoying the process. That's what makes it all worthwhile.

Let's connect, trade ideas, and see what we can create together!

  • R D H

  • MAHAL KITA NETTIE | ALAMEDA, CA.

  • MY PRIDE + JOY | KAUAI, HI

  • RHINO WAS MY AGENCY NICKMAME

  • PRIMO ANGELI

    THE MENTOR | PRIMO ANGELI

  • MARY SCOTT • MICHAEL OSBORNE | ACADEMY OF ART

  • AMY'S CREW | PETALUMA, CA.

  • JACK LONDON | OAKLAND, CA.

  • COUSINS @ KOIT | THE CITY

  • PRIMO ANGELI INC. | POTRERO HILL, SF

  • CYAN + SOLIEL | KAUAI, HI

  • KIT HINRICHS | www.studio-hinrichs.com

  • THE DAY I ENCOUNTERED A SHARK IN POTRERO HILL

  • EPSOAK SPORT TEAM MATES | ALAMEDA, CA.

  • H

  • P. BECKER • E. CRISTMAN | PRIMO ALUM

  • THE PURVEYORS OF SEA SALT | WWW.SFSALT.COM

  • R | @ARTCHIVES PROJECT

  • PRIMO DESIGNERS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA.

  • LETTERING COLLAGE

  • LANDOR ASSOCIATES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA. | LANDOR.COM

  • PRIMO'S JUKEBOX | POTRERO HILL | DESIGN TEAM PAINTING BY R. SWANN

  • SHRED TEAM | SF CA

  • SHRED TEAM | SF CA

  • HOME TOWN BRIDGES | Park St. > Bay Bridge > High St.

  • ART SHOW WITH A SKATING HAWK | SANTA MONICA, CA.

  • A-TOWN | THE CITY

  • PRIMO ANGELI | Museo Italo Americano | Fort Mason Center | SF CA

  • 90s Stumpy | Steel is Real!

  • MFG TOFFFEE + BARK CO.

  • MOUNTAIN THERAPY | Lake Tahoe, CA. | www.kellybike.com

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

• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | SFSALT Pier 39 Store Design
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Community Coffee Packaging Redesign
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Gourmet Sea Salt Packaging
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Kooba Game Package Design
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Ocean Spray Citrus Juice Redesign
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Ocean Spray 100% Juice Package Redesign
• Featured Artist – TWENTY20 1st Gallery Show – Santa Monica
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Trident Layers Extensions
• "Foraging for Type." The New Yorker |  www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/foraging-for-type
• Guest Judge – Castify Typography Challenge
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Trident White Package Redesign
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Trident Splashing Mint & Citrus
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Trident Vitality Package Design
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Cattlemen's Barbecue Sauce Packaging
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Dentyne Blast Package Design
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Community Coffee Pods Package
• GDUSA | American Graphic Design Award | Dentyne Fire Packaging
• CMYK Magazine | Featured Designer – Cleopatra Packaging | Design Judge: Michael Schwab

Recommendations:

  • “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

  • "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.

  • "I've known Ryan for almost two decades now, and I'm amazed that he still has the same 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 who genuinely enjoyed what he did, and you could see that passion reflected in his work. As a friend, I've stayed in touch with Ryan because he has a genuine, easygoing attitude that makes it truly a pleasure to hang out with him or just chat about life, family, and occasionally, work stuff."

    Dexter Lee, Design Director, Trinity Brand Group Inc. | Creative Director at PATH

    www.trinitybrandgroup.com

    www.drinkpathwater.com

    www.landor.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 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.

  • "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

  • "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

  • 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

  • “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

  • "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

Brands & Clients

OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRIES • CADBURY ADAMS • TRIDENT GUM • DENTYNE GUM • DANNON YOGURT • LIPTON • GHIRADELLI CHOCOLATE • PLANTRONICS • THE CLOROX COMPANY • LIQUID PLUMR • STONERIDGE ORCHARDS • KOOBA GAME • CARESS • SUAVE • COLDSTONE CREAMERY • CLIF BAR • POWER BAR • THE FRESH MARKET • LUMINA PROBIOTIC • MICROSOFT XBOX • COCA COLA • ALLIED DOMEQC • STARBUCKS • SAFEWAY • COMMUNITY COFFEE • UNILEVER • CADBURY ADAMS • CONTINENTAL MILLS • PEPSICO • BELL CARTER • LINDSAY OLIVES • WEETABIX • BEN & JERRY'S • BASKIN ROBBINS • RECKITT BENCKISER • TROPICAL FANTASY • IBERIA FOODS • THE SOLA COMPANY • RAGU • SNAPPLE • CHEETOS • DORITOS • MISS VICKIE’S • SUN CHIPS • ORBIT BABY • OATIBIX • TALLIE.COM • SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • TENDERLOIN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CTR. • INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE • LETTIERI & CO. • P.G. MOLINARI AND SONS, INC. • MADI PANNETONI • TAMARELO • SAN FRANCISCO SALT COMPANY • EPSOAK NATURALS COLLECTION • EPSOAK SPORT • SHERPA PINK • HONESTLY TEXAS • EXTO BY CONWAY GOODS • CONWAY ELECTRIC • ACCELERADE • BARBARA'S BAKERY • SOUR PATCH KIDS • CERTS • COLUMBUS SALAMI • HONESTLY TEXAS RICE • MRS. FIELDS COOKIES • 4SISTERS RICE • RNG COALTION • SOLA ESSENTIAL • NEIGHBORS COOKIES • MIGHTY PR • RED MONKEY FOODS • MFG TOFFEE & BARK CO. • WORLD MARKET

SEE BRANIDING + PACKAGING PORTFOLIO

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

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