Stage is a new music platform designed to surface emerging talent through competition. Blending elements of talent shows and social media, it introduces a round-by-round format where artists perform, get voted through, and rise to the top—all inside the app.

STUDIO HERRSTRÖM collaborated with the founders of Stage to define and design its brand identity. The core idea: a brand built around progression and competition, where the visual world mirrors the journey of artists climbing toward recognition.

At the center of the identity is a custom symbol that works across multiple meanings: an elimination bracket, a play button, and an abstract equalizer. This became the Stage icon—used across product, marketing, and motion.

We also created the Stage Coin, a reward unit in the app. Its design echoes the progression motif, and when repeated, forms a flexible brand pattern referencing artist growth.

The identity system was built to adapt—featuring a dynamic carousel inspired by equalizer bars, consistent typographic rules, and a monochrome-first color palette designed to foreground artist content. The result is a unified, recognizable look that performs across digital touchpoints.

By launching with a cohesive brand, Stage established early trust and recognition—reinforcing its commitment to artists and positioning itself as a platform that helps talent break through.