From record sleeves to 200 people: how Thomas Kurppa’s role has changed

Thomas Kurppa’s focus has shifted from making the work himself to creating the conditions for it at an agency with more than 200 people. He and Måns Hosk pitched together for a major client and won, then started Kurppa Hosk in 2009 on the back of a job they had no agency to deliver. The Stockholm-based brand agency now works from five cities. Kurppa came into design sideways – he ran a record label with a few other DJs in the early 1990s and taught himself Photoshop and Illustrator to make its flyers, posters and record sleeves. In this interview, he talks to us about how his role changed as the agency grew, what he has had to protect, what producing music taught him about when to stop and what he would still like to get better at. TBI: Hi Thomas! How is the summer treating you over in Stockholm? TK: Very well, thank you. Stockholm in summer is hard to beat. The long days completely change the rhythm of the city. It’s been a good mix of slowing down, spending time by the water, and returning to work with a bit more energy and perspective.