In a world where workplaces are evolving rapidly, Spotify took an innovative approach to connect its global workforce. In collaboration with the global creative studio Acrylicize, the music streaming giant launched an award-winning experiential design strategy that infused Spotify’s brand essence into its office spaces across 19 locations worldwide. This ambitious project aimed not only to establish functional and visually engaging workplaces but also to create an inspiring environment that unifies people and place. This is the story of how Acrylicize brought a brand-centered experience to life for Spotify across more than a million square feet of workspace.
Tackling cultural and creative challenges through design
With Spotify’s global expansion, the company faced a unique challenge: how to create a cohesive culture across numerous international locations. As Spotify continued to grow, they sought a solution that would not only bring their employees together but also showcase the brand’s identity in every office. The question arose: how can brand expression unify both people and place while promoting creativity and collaboration?
To achieve this, Acrylicize partnered with several leading architecture practices, whose spatial design expertise helped to inform the creative process. This collaborative approach aimed to create spaces that were not only functional but also fostered the brand’s core values of creativity and connection. The result? A design strategy that fuses emotion with purpose, giving each office its own unique flow, as determined by the people who work there and how they use the space.
Bringing Spotify’s brand to life through art
Acrylicize focused on creating “hero moments” in each workspace—opportunities to bring Spotify’s love of audio and culture to life. Through interactive feature artworks designed in-house by Acrylicize, and curation of work by a broad range of exciting emerging artists, each office reveals a seamless, immersive experience that is uniquely “Spotify.” The strategy explored various audio-related themes, including music, podcasts, streaming, technology, and innovation, creating spaces that resonate with Spotify’s core belief: listening is everything.
Three key design themes: wildcard, chill out, and surprise and delight
Acrylicize created bespoke artworks for Spotify’s offices that reflect three core design themes: wildcard, chill out, and surprise and delight. These themes not only inform the aesthetic of each space but also serve a functional purpose, creating an environment that is both practical and engaging. This thoughtful approach allowed Acrylicize to develop spaces that feel accessible and human-oriented—playgrounds for the senses that embody Spotify’s dynamic energy.
Celebrating local culture with a global mural series
One of the most striking aspects of this project is Acrylicize’s global mural series. In collaboration with local artists, Acrylicize created murals that capture the joy of audio and reflect the unique character of each city. From emerging artists to recent graduates, the diverse talent involved helped ensure that every mural authentically reflects the local culture, adding depth and variety to each Spotify office.
A successful workspace doesn’t just look good—it needs to function seamlessly, too. Acrylicize worked with Spotify’s brand team to design a wayfinding strategy that would allow employees to navigate their office spaces intuitively. With a suite of bespoke icons and a carefully chosen color scheme, the wayfinding elements strike a balance between Spotify’s global identity and the local character of each office.
Enhancing employee connection with quarterly activations
To strengthen the connection between Spotify employees and their new workspaces, Acrylicize helped Spotify create “Blank Canvas,” a quarterly magazine that celebrates the art, culture, and creativity within the company. Distributed globally, the magazine offers employees a chance to explore the stories behind the artwork in their offices, reinforcing the power of art and well-being in the workplace. This magazine, along with a digital app, brings employees closer to the brand’s cultural narrative.
Shaping a global identity through artistic expression
Spotify’s partnership with Acrylicize is a testament to the power of experiential design. By blending Spotify’s passion for audio with Acrylicize’s design expertise, the project demonstrates how workplaces can become vibrant reflections of a brand’s identity.
This case study serves as an inspiring example for companies seeking to unify their brand and culture across global offices, showing that when creativity and strategic design come together, a workplace can become more than just a physical space—it can become a thriving hub of connection and inspiration.
