A Life in
Design

One can strike 
people down with 
ugliness, like with 
an axe

Peter Schmidt - agency founder and inventor of lifestyle branding

Simplicity
& reduction
The simpler the idea,
the more convincing it is.

A product or brand stands out when it condenses big stories into a clear statement. No one masters this art like Peter: He creates the unique HUGO perfume bottle, which references a field bottle, as well as the logo for Jacobs coffee, where you can see the fragrant cup in the initial.

His journey as an independent creative mind begins with meeting a young fashion designer: Jil Sander. In an era of ornate opulence, Jil dares to make a counterstatement with her minimalist collections. She needs a logo – and asks Peter Schmidt. His idea: a powerful wordmark that draws inspiration from both the headlines of the yellow press and Jil Sander's clear, bold stance. The logo becomes an icon, and Jil Sander a brand.
Visionary
branding
Anchoring brands
in people’s hearts.

Peter envisions brands holistically, from logos to packagings, from billboards to experiences. He designs champagne bottles, tableware, and stage sets, bringing lifestyle branding to Germany. This is how it happens that almost everyone has a personal connection to a brand that Peter Schmidt has shaped at some point.


Breaking
barriers
The fascination of
the unconventional

Peter seeks truly new solutions. He has the courage to tell stories differently from what the mainstream dictates, asking for alternative, distinctive answers. In an era where mediocrity and conformity dominate also our industry, he breaks through mental barriers and establishes an open agency culture that values diversity.


Connected
with Japan
The distant can feel so close.
For those who value reduction to the essentials, the aesthetics of Japanese culture might feel remarkably familiar. Peter has always felt deeply connected with the country in the far east: he travels, builds client relationships and establishes an office in Tokyo. He gives cosmetics a face and pastry shops a soul. It feels logical that his agency's logo features an Asian elephant: Originally designed for a tea tin, it symbolizes wisdom, mindfulness, and all what makes elephants so fascinating: they are social creatures that leave a lasting impression without being intrusive.


Timeless
and iconic
Brands that remain while
trends come and go.

Sure, I know that one, and that one – and that one too! That’s how it always goes when people flip through the logos Peter has designed: symbols that last for decades, that have left their indelible mark on entire industries, and are perceived around the world as a seal of quality. It doesn’t matter whether they stand for fashion or finance, cities, cultural venues, or consumer goods.