2026
Writing First Book
Books, Publishing
Do The Thing will be Hugo’s first book and a battle-tested framework, no-bullshit guide to help you find, start, focus, cultivate and ultimately ship your Thing. Available for Preorder.
2022
New official logo for the visual identity of the world’s leading outdoor brand. In collaboration with David Benedek, Ricardo Ferrol and the team at Salomon in Annecy, France. The rebranding made its debut at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Hugo designed also the logos of the sub-brands Salomon Advanced and S/LAB. Special thanks: David Farcot, JP Lalonde.
New official logo for the visual identity of the world’s leading outdoor brand. In collaboration with David Benedek, Ricardo Ferrol and the team at Salomon in Annecy, France. The rebranding made its debut at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Hugo designed also the logos of the sub-brands Salomon Advanced and S/LAB. Special thanks: David Farcot, JP Lalonde. →
2019–2025
For Mugler Paris, Hugo redesigned its visual identity and refined the official wordmark, logos, and iconic star, commissioned by creative director Casey Cadwallader. Additionally, he designed and developed the e-commerce website, and created packaging, patterns, invitations, look book designs for the shows of the past years.
For Mugler Paris, Hugo redesigned its visual identity and refined the official wordmark, logos, and iconic star, commissioned by creative director Casey Cadwallader. Additionally, he designed and developed the e-commerce website, and created packaging, patterns, invitations, look book designs for the shows of the past years. →
2023
Art direction, logo design, spirit animal graphics for LỰU ĐẠN, Kwaidan Editions’ Hung La’s new fashion label, available exclusively on Ssense. Plus development and design of the e-commerce website. Design support by Sarah Discours.
Art direction, logo design, spirit animal graphics for LỰU ĐẠN, Kwaidan Editions’ Hung La’s new fashion label, available exclusively on Ssense. Plus development and design of the e-commerce website. Design support by Sarah Discours.


2016–
The word PRESENT and its many meanings are building the pillars of the project: Hugo founded PRESENT in 2016 in NYC. It’s his publishing project and global community. Hugo builds tools to support Modern Makers: from the print magazine and digital platform, to in-depth podcasts and regular workshops.
Hugo founded his PRESENT brand in 2016 in NYC. It’s his publishing project and global community. Hugo builds tools to support Modern Makers: from the print magazine and digital platform, to in-depth podcasts and regular workshops.






2020–2021
Hugo was hired by Apple to consult and design on multiple projects, including iPad, Watch, and the iPhone Pro, where he worked across campaign and hardware art direction, including wallpaper research and design.
Hugo was hired by Apple to consult and design on projects, including iPad, Watch, and the iPhone Pro, where he worked on campaign, hardware art direction and wallpaper design.



2017–2020
Graphic design and branding for District Vision, running brand and wellness collective, based in Los Angeles. Multiple projects, including Beyond Jogging book design. Hand drawings by Filip Pagowski.
Graphic design and branding for District Vision, running brand and wellness collective, based in Los Angeles. Multiple projects, including Beyond Jogging book design. Hand drawings by Filip Pagowski.





2022
Art direction, design and development of visual identities, websites and UI/UX of the Newfoundation ecosystem, including the newOS application, Newforum podcast, Newcoin protocol, a decentralised, blockchain-based tools for creators.
Art direction, design and development of visual identities, websites and UI/UX of the Newfoundation ecosystem, including the newOS application, Newforum podcast, Newcoin protocol, a decentralised, blockchain-based tools for creators. →
2019
Visual identity with custom typeface for COLORS, the global music platform focused on promoting the most distinctive new artists and original sounds, boosting over 8 million subscribers. Design support by Sarah Discours. Special thanks to Steve Legrand and Philipp Starcke.
Visual identity with custom typeface for COLORS, the global music platform focused on promoting the most distinctive new artists and original sounds, boosting over 8 million subscribers. Design support by Sarah Discours. Special thanks to Steve Legrand and Philipp Starcke.





2018
Concept and design development for a Berlin-themed Nike Air Max. I was approached by Nike with a shoe concept based on the question: what makes Berlin truly unique to you?
Concept and design development for a Berlin-themed Nike Air Max. I was approached by Nike with a shoe concept based on the question: what makes Berlin truly unique to you?


2010–2021
Over the span of 10 years I designed artworks for techno trio Aroma Pitch, recently published by Public Possession. For their live show at HÖR I designed and screenprinted a limited AP x PRESENT uniform.
Over the span of 10 years I designed artworks for techno trio Aroma Pitch, recently published by Public Possession. For their live show at HÖR I designed and screenprinted a limited AP x PRESENT uniform.







2019
Concept, art direction and graphic design for the campaign of the new capsule collection of Paul Pogba for Adidas, shot in the catacombs of a stadium in Manchester, UK.
Concept, art direction and graphic design for the campaign of the new capsule collection of Paul Pogba for Adidas, shot in the catacombs of a stadium in Manchester, UK.


2016
Visual identity with custom type logo and printed matter for Sies Marjan, NYC, with and for 2x4. Photography by Bruce Weber.
Visual identity with custom type logo and printed matter for Sies Marjan, NYC, with and for 2x4. Photography by Bruce Weber.





2011–2021
Cologne Sessions is a party co-founded by Hugo with his friends Magnus and Mitch in 2011. Art direction and design of the visual identity, including the monthly posters.
Cologne Sessions is a party co-founded by Hugo with his friends Magnus and Mitch in 2011. Art direction and design of the visual identity, including the monthly posters.








2017–2019
Bilderbuch is one of the most successful German-language bands of the decade. Art direction and design of the overall visual identity for the Magic Life album, including all single covers, tour posters, merchandise and a custom typeface.
Bilderbuch is one of the most successful German-language bands of the decade. Art direction and design of the overall visual identity for the Magic Life album, including all single covers, tour posters, merchandise and a custom typeface.






2011
Extensive visual identity for the self-founded local football club PIQTO United. Visualizing true team spirit with individual hand-made jerseys that build a collective form once the group is united.
Extensive visual identity for the self-founded local football club PIQTO United. Visualizing true team spirit with individual hand-made jerseys that build a collective form once the group is united.





Thank you.
I’m writing weekly how to do The Thing while navigating today’s world as a Modern Maker.
Visit Substack →Index
2026
Writing First Book
Books, Publishing
Do The Thing will be Hugo’s first book and a battle-tested framework, no-bullshit guide to help you find, start, focus, cultivate and ultimately ship your Thing. Available for Preorder.
2026
presentOS App
Art Direction, Website Design & Development, Publishing
Multidimensional Support System for Empowering Modern Makers. Design and Development of presentOS, a platform that brings together everything from the PRESENT universe and its growing ecosystem, now available in the App Store.
2025
Forward Festival Main Stage
Speaking
“Making Better Mistakes: Journey to PRESENT” was about the most important steps on his journey from childhood to today, the hardships and lessons along the way that guided him towards finding his path and his life’s work.
2024
Mugler Rebranding
Visual Identity & Logos
Logo Wordmark refinement and a new star for legendary Paris fashion house Mugler
2024
Present People Podcast
Publishing, Speaking
On his podcast, Hugo speaks with Modern Makers from all over the world about creativity, psychology, and doing The Thing.
2023
PRESENT Issue 3
Art Direction, Magazines, Publishing
Present Issue 3: Reboot. From Sculptors to Chefs, Fashion Designers to Economists, united in sharing their stories through exclusive essays and interviews on 300 pages in the new PRESENT Issue.
2023
LỰU ĐẠN
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Art direction, logo design, spirit animal graphics for LỰU ĐẠN, Kwaidan Editions’ Hung La’s new fashion label, available exclusively on Ssense. Plus development and design of the e-commerce website. Design support by Sarah Discours.
2023
Forward Festival
Speaking
Talk for Forward Festival at HKW Berlin, about finding your Thing through Ikigai.
2022
Newfoundation
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Art direction, design and development of visual identities, websites and UI/UX of the Newfoundation ecosystem, including the newOS application, Newforum podcast, Newcoin protocol, a decentralised, blockchain-based tools for creators.
2022
Salomon Rebranding
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos
New official logo for the visual identity of the world’s leading outdoor brand. In collaboration with David Benedek, Ricardo Ferrol and the team at Salomon in Annecy, France. The rebranding made its debut at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Hugo designed also the logos of the sub-brands Salomon Advanced and S/LAB. Special thanks: David Farcot, JP Lalonde.
2021
BetterTogether Charity
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development, Life
BetterTogether platform for creativity and charity, together with my sister Marina Hoppmann.
2021
Original Feelings
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Visual identity and website for Original Feelings yoga studio, in collaboration with Sarah Discours.
2021
PRESENT Issue 2
Art Direction, Magazines, Publishing
PRESENT Issue 2. Publishing, Creative Direction, Design and Editing. Associate Art Director: Sarah Discours.
2021
Tom Król Posters
Posters
Posters for artist Tom Król’s exhibition at Ungefähr5 in Cologne
2021
HiPeople
Visual Identity & Logos
Art direction, visual identity, website design and development for HiPeople.
2020–2021
Apple
Art Direction, Design, Research
Hugo was hired by Apple to consult and design on multiple projects, including iPad, Watch, and the iPhone Pro, where he worked across campaign and hardware art direction, including wallpaper research and design.
2020
Lecture at ECAL
Speaking
Returning to my university to give a talk at ECAL, Switzerland
2019
Adidas Paul Pogba
Art Direction, Website Design & Development
Concept, art direction and graphic design for the campaign of the new capsule collection of Paul Pogba for Adidas, shot in the catacombs of a stadium in Manchester, UK.
2019
Colors x Studios
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos
Visual identity with custom typeface for COLORS, the global music platform focused on promoting the most distinctive new artists and original sounds, boosting over 8 million subscribers. Design support by Sarah Discours. Special thanks to Steve Legrand and Philipp Starcke.
2019–2025
Mugler
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
For Mugler Paris, Hugo redesigned its visual identity and refined the official wordmark, logos, and iconic star, commissioned by creative director Casey Cadwallader. Additionally, he designed and developed the e-commerce website, and created packaging, patterns, invitations, look book designs for the shows of the past years.
2019
PRESENT Issue 1
Art Direction, Magazines, Publishing
PRESENT Issue 1. Publishing, Creative Direction, Design and Editing. Associate Art Director: Sarah Discours.
2019
OFFF Barcelona
Speaking
Presentation at OFFF in Barcelona Special as part of my appointment as Kickstarter’s Global Thought Leader. Shout-out’s to Christoph Nagel, Sarah Discours, David Carson and James Victore.
2018
Annenmaykantereit
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Posters, Type Design, Covers
Art Direction, visual identity, custom typeface, campaign, record covers, for Annenmaykantereit.
2018
A·P·R· 005
Art Direction, Covers
Record design for A•P•R• 005
2018
Bonaparte
Art Direction, Covers, Posters
Visual identity, campaign design, record designs for Bonaparte.
2018–2021
Leorosa
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Visual identity, art direction, website and e-commerce design and development for Leorosa. Special thanks to Paolina Leccese and Julian Taffel.
2018
Shoe for Nike
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos
Concept and design development for a Berlin-themed Nike Air Max. I was approached by Nike with a shoe concept based on the question: what makes Berlin truly unique to you?
2018
Pollerwiesen
Visual Identity & Logos, Posters
Graphic design for Pollerwiesen festival
2018
Present Products
Present is a platform for collaboration. In each issue we collaborate and release a product with a maker we love and document the whole process.
2018
Robert Grunenberg Gallery
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Visual identity and website for Robert Grunenberg Berlin.
2018
Wunderkind
Visual Identity & Logos, Art Direction
Visual Identity and Art Direction for the rebirth of Wunderkind, originally founded by Wolfgang Joop, designed by Louise Friedlaender. Photography by Larissa Hofmann, Styling by Marc Goehring, Model Lera Abova.
2018
ZERO Foundation
Visual Identity & Logos, Books, Posters, Website Design & Development, Art Direction
Visual Identity, Books, Posters and Website for ZERO Foundation, the legendary artist group founded in Düsseldorf by Heinz Mack, Otto Piene and Günther Uecker in the 1950s. Design support by Philipp Engel.
2017
Dillon
Website Design & Development, Art Direction
Website for singer Dillon
2017–2019
Bilderbuch
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Type Design, Covers
Bilderbuch is one of the most successful German-language bands of the decade. Art direction and design of the overall visual identity for the Magic Life album, including all single covers, tour posters, merchandise and a custom typeface.
2017
Louise Friedlaender
Visual Identity & Logos, Art Direction
Visual Identity and Art Direction for fashion brand Louise Friedlaender.
2017
DJ Stingray, CS Posters
Posters
Cologne Sessions posters for DJ Stingray and more monthly parties.
2017
Bilderbuch
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Art Direction and design of the overall visual identity for the MAGIC LIFE album by BILDERBUCH. (2017–2019)
2017
Samson Young Book
Art Direction, Books
A Dark Theme Keeps Me Here, I’ll Make a Broken Music. Book for the first institutional solo exhibition of the Hong Kong artist Samson Young (*1979) in Germany and Europe. For Kunsthalle Düsseldorf.
2017
A·P·R· 004
Art Direction, Type Design, Covers
Vertical Garden EP record design for Aroma Pitch (A•P•R• 004) with custom typeface.
2017–2020
District Vision
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Graphic design and branding for District Vision, running brand and wellness collective, based in Los Angeles. Multiple projects, including Beyond Jogging book design. Hand drawings by Filip Pagowski.
2016
Apple Soho Lecture
Speaking
Lecture at APPLE Soho
2016
Friday Nights at Studio672
Posters
Poster for Friday Nights at Studio672
2016
Nike New York Pioneer Club
Visual Identity & Logos
Logo reenactment for New York Pioneer Club for Nike, with District Vision
2016
Paradis Typeface
Type Design
Paradis, a serif typeface drawn in NYC, later used for Bilderbuch’s Magiclife covers, posters, and merch.
2016–
PRESENT
Art Direction, Publishing, Life
The word PRESENT and its many meanings are building the pillars of the project: Hugo founded PRESENT in 2016 in NYC. It’s his publishing project and global community. Hugo builds tools to support Modern Makers: from the print magazine and digital platform, to in-depth podcasts and regular workshops.
2016
TEXTURE Detroit
Type Design, Visual Identity & Logos, Posters
Posters for TEXTURE techno and house parties in Detroit, USA.
2016
A·P·R· 003
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Covers
Vinyl record design A•P•R• 003, Present From A Small Distant World
2016
St. Regis
Visual Identity & Logos
With our team at 2x4 we worked on the visual identity of St. Regis hotels. I also designed a pattern used for mutliple applications.
2016
Sies Marjan
Visual Identity & Logos
Visual identity with custom type logo and printed matter for Sies Marjan, NYC, with and for 2x4. Photography by Bruce Weber.
2016
Fondazione Prada
Art Direction, Books
Hugo’s team at 2x4 in NYC worked on the visual identity, quaderno magazines, signage for the opening of Fondazione Prada, Milan.
2015
Prada
Art Direction
Various Prada projects with and for 2x4 in NYC, including research, books, and the monthly wallpaper for the Prada store in NYC, which the whole team worked on regularly.
2015
Miu Miu Aoyama
Visual Identity & Logos
Visual Identity, Invitations, Packaging for the opening of the new Miu Miu store in Aoyama, Tokyo. With and for 2x4 in NYC.
2015
ADC Young Gun Award
Life
Hugo was awarded as ADC Young Gun by the Art Directors Club in NYC, where is work was exhibited. Young Guns is a competition for creative professionals 30 years of age or under that has grown to become one of the most coveted accolades in the global creative community.
2015
Joining 2x4 in New York City
Life
Hugo was hired by 2x4 Inc. in NYC and worked as a fulltime designer for clients including Prada, Miu Miu, Hyundai, St. Regis, and Sies Marjan.
2014
Finery London
Visual Identity & Logos
Visual Identity of Finery London using Hugo’s V.U.C.A. Typeface
2014
BÖWER
Posters, Art Direction
Catalogue and poster for manufacturer BÖWER presenting their range of products and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the company. Hugo developed a large poster with a special folding. Photography by Tillmann Franzen. Thanks Eric Degenhardt.
2014
Brachum Kunstpreis
Visual Identity & Logos
Visual identity and website for Brachum Kunstpreis.
2014
Carhartt Book
Books
Carhartt book Moving Mountains with Alexander Basile.
2014
ComeTogether Festival
Posters, Books
Oversized screen printed poster/magazine for the jubilee of ComeTogether Festival.
2014
GQ Italia Redesign
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Type Design, Magazines, Covers
Redesign of GQ Italia, with and for Meiré und Meiré.
2013
Kunststiftung NRW
Visual Identity & Logos, Posters
25 posters for 25 museums in 25 cities and the visual identity for Kunststiftung NRW’s 25th anniversary project.
2013
Anarchive
Books, Posters, Art Direction
Poster and book for artist Béla Pablo Janssen
2013
Alexander Basile
Art Direction, Books, Covers
Book design for Alexander Basile: Emerging Sculptures
2013
MOFF Magazine
Magazines, Art Direction, Covers
Art Direction and Editorial Design of Issue 9 of MOFF Magazine.
2013
EIN DU Book
Books, Covers
Book design for artists Dennis Freischlad and Béla Pablo Janssen
2012
Video for AIGA Chicago
Publishing
Commissioned Video Portrait for AIGA Chicago
2012
Interview Magazine Germany
Magazines
Editorial and graphic design for the first issues of Interview Magazine Germany, with and for Meiré und Meiré.
2011
NZZ Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Magazines
Logo and Editorial Design for Neue Zürcher Zeitung: Equity, with and for Meiré und Meiré.
2011
Brandeins Cover
Covers, Art Direction, Magazines
Cover for economy magazine Brandeins, with and for Meiré und Meiré.
2011
Designer at Meiré und Meiré
Life
In 2011 Hugo started his first real full-time job as Designer at Meiré und Meiré, Cologne. Working closely with Tim Giesen and Mike Meiré, who became his mentors.
2011–2021
Cologne Sessions
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos
Cologne Sessions is a party co-founded by Hugo with his friends Magnus and Mitch in 2011. Art direction and design of the visual identity, including the monthly posters.
2011
Graduated from ECAL
Life
Hugo graduated in 2011 from the Visual Communication / Graphic Design program with a Bachelor of Arts diploma.
2011
PIQTO United
Visual Identity & Logos, Art Direction
Extensive visual identity for the self-founded local football club PIQTO United. Visualizing true team spirit with individual hand-made jerseys that build a collective form once the group is united.
2010
032c Website
Website Design & Development
After interviewing 032c founder Joerg Koch for his Better Mjstakes magazine, Hugo piqued interest and got hired to work on the magazine’s first website in Berlin.
2010–2021
Aroma Pitch
Art Direction, Covers
Over the span of 10 years I designed artworks for techno trio Aroma Pitch, recently published by Public Possession. For their live show at HÖR I designed and screenprinted a limited AP x PRESENT uniform.
2010
Better Mjstakes Vol. 2
Publishing, Art Direction, Magazines
This issue is one deep conversation with Mike Meiré
2009
Internship at Bureau Borsche
Life
During my studies I worked for Mirko Borsche in the Munich office. It was an amazing time! This photo is from our desk at that time. Monocle put it on their cover after they visited to feature Bureau Borsche.
2009
Better Mjstakes Vol. 1
Art Direction, Magazines, Publishing, Covers
Magazine project in collaboration with Johannes Breyer, entirely designed in V.U.C.A. Grotesque. “We want this platform to be understood as a rising collection of thoughts and talks; a processual protocol of our growth as young designers inevitably: modern romantics.”
2009
V.U.C.A. Typeface
Type Design
Hugo created the V.U.C.A. typeface while studying at ECAL, 2009. Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous. This plaque is an artwork using the typeface.
2008
Grace Jones Typeface
Type Design
Visual Identity project on one of my personal heroes and a legend, Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones. While studying at ECAL
2008
Illustrations
Posters
Various drawings of personal heroes, including a DJ Funk portrait, which ended up as a Piqto Shirt.
2008
Grace Jones Stroke
Type Design
The first version of my typeface inspired by Grace Jones. All letters in one stroke. Made at ECAL.
2008
Grace Jones Identity
Visual Identity & Logos
A visual identity project on singer, actress and legend Grace Jones. I produced two booklets containing the research together with the experiments, final logos and typefaces I created. Made at ECAL. This eventually became the symbol of my portfolio.
2008
Super Paper
Visual Identity & Logos, Magazines
Logo for Munich city magazine. With and for Bureau Borsche.
2007
Filzmoos Typeface
Visual Identity & Logos, Type Design
Custom typeface, visual identity and merch for Schneefreizeit Filzmoos
2006
Visiting Adrian Frutiger’s Home
Life
Visiting my personal hero Adrian Frutiger’s house in Bern, Switzerland.
2005
Kaviva Typeface
Type Design
One of Hugo’s earliest typefaces.
2005
PIQTO Visual Identity
Art Direction, Visual Identity & Logos, Publishing
Visual Identity, graphic design, websites, lookbooks for own apparel brand PIQTO Clothing.
2005
Foundation of PIQTO Clothing
Life
In 2005 Hugo founded his own clothing label PIQTO, inspired by his love for Brazil and design.
2005
Vatos Cologne
Visual Identity & Logos, Website Design & Development
Vatos Cologne
2004
Early Wordmark
Visual Identity & Logos, Type Design
Early wordmark, first experimental years in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
2004
Herrliches Script
Type Design
Herrliches Script was one of Hugo’s earliest typefaces, built in Fontlab. 85k+ downloads on dafont.com and used by various international brands.
2004
First Website
Website Design & Development
Hugo’s first portfolio website launched in January 2004
2004
Worldcup 2006 Poster
Posters
This was Hugo’s official entry for FIFA’s Worldcup poster competition.
2004
Counter-Strike Designs
1996
Fortuna Köln
Life
Young Hugo happy in the rain, playing for SC Fortuna Köln from 1996–2002. The love for the sport never died.
1992
Chicago Bulls
Life
At some point I started drawing hundreds of Chicago Bulls logos as a kid: first logo love!
1988
Born in Cologne
Life
My parents turning all sorts of challenges in life into something positive and productive is my biggest inspiration, and the base of my work and how I choose to go through life.