What Norm does

Norm is a Cologne-based strategic innovation and design office operating as the German partnership (GbR) Fahrentrapp Stüsser, founded by Tom Fahrentrapp and Pascal Stüsser. The firm operates with a headcount of 1-10 and delivers multi-disciplinary design services spanning strategic design, brand identity, digital product (UI/UX), industrial design, spatial design, packaging design, and web development, taking projects from concept through to launch for both physical and digital products.

The studio's work centers on a project-based professional services model, complemented by owned product IP. Its technical differentiators include the Kontakt Grid — a modular, washable textile cable-and-connector system for smart clothing — developed through its spin-off Funktion*, alongside a widget-based UI architecture for that same startup. Self-initiated products include the AOD streetwear label (produced in Italy, distributed across European and Asian markets) and the Open Source Lamp, a 3D-printable (PLA) modular battery lamp released with downloadable build assets. Customer work spans brand identity, packaging, and innovation studies for both enterprise clients (Burberry, Balmain, Westwing, Riedel Communications, DM Drogeriemarkt, VitaNova) and startups (OWIES, +matter, Rental Holidays, Tenzo, Funktion).

Commercially, Norm acquires clients through direct engagement and referrals, marketing via its project portfolio website, Instagram (@norm_projects), and direct contact channels ([email protected] / [email protected]). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured on a project basis. No institutional funding, parent company, or external equity investors are indicated; ownership remains with the two named partners. Geographic reach covers Europe (primary) and Asia (via AOD distribution), with headquarters at Rathenauplatz 13, 50674 Köln, Germany.

Name

Norm

Legal name

Fahrentrapp Stüsser GbR

Website

https://norm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Norm is a Cologne-based strategic design and innovation studio (1-10 employees) delivering branding, industrial, spatial, packaging, and digital design services to a mix of startups and enterprise clients across Europe, with owned product IP including the Funktion* smart-textile spin-off and the AOD streetwear label.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Design Services

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers (4243)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320)

akta.pro primary industry

Brand Guidelines, Governance & Brand Management (BPAFAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Premium & Contemporary Apparel Brands (CRAAAAAB)

Keywords

• Strategic design services
• Industrial design
• Brand identity design
• UI UX design
• Packaging design

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Design and Innovation Services: Project-based professional services engagement delivering strategic design, brand identity, digital design, industrial design, spatial design, and packaging design services to B2B clients across various industries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Norm is a strategic innovation and design office that delivers multi-disciplinary design services—from strategic design and brand identity through to industrial design, digital UI/UX, spatial design, packaging, fashion/textile design, and web development—for both startups and enterprises, taking products and brands from concept through to market launch across physical and digital domains.

Product overview

Norm is a strategic innovation and design office that builds outstanding digital and physical products from zero to launch. The company operates a portfolio of distinct projects spanning brand identity (Rental Holidays, Match Berlin, +matter), product design (Funktion* smart textiles, +matter backpacks, Open Source Lamp), spatial design (Westwing + 23Hours, Balmain store fronts), packaging (Beetique x DM, BLOOM Ritual, Tenzo, Owies), fashion (Never Not Loving, AOD streetwear), and web/digital services (Janis Heupel, Sunacare). Funktion* is a spin-off B2B startup developing modular smart textile technology with a companion UI/UX design system. The Open Source Lamp is a self-initiated open source product. The studio also partners with major brands including Riedel Communications, Westwing, Balmain, and Burberry on design projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Design & Innovation Services End-to-end strategic design consulting that takes products and brands from concept to launch, serving B2B clients across multiple industries.
• Industrial Design Physical product design and prototyping services, including user analysis and modular interface development for clients such as Riedel Communications.
• Digital Design / UI/UX
• Brand Identity Brand identity development including visual systems, logos, typography, and naming for new and established brands across industries.
• Packaging Design Packaging design services for consumer goods including cosmetics, food & beverage, and beverages, with materials innovation such as plant-based and transparent packaging.
• Spatial Design Spatial design services including office transformations, store front design, and futuristic workspace concepts for enterprise clients.
• Web Development Web design and development services including homepage design and digital design for SMBs and enterprises.
• AOD Streetwear Label In-house contemporary streetwear label designed and produced by Norm, featuring industrial design-inspired aesthetics; includes garment design, fabric sourcing, branding, webshop, packaging, and distribution.
• Open Source Lamp Self-initiated multi-use battery lamp with modular design (ceiling, floor, or wall installation) intended for accessible 3D-print production with PLA filament; open source project with downloadable STL, photos, and assembly instructions.

Named customers20 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Studio Dumbar: Award-winning Dutch design studio specializing in brand identity, motion, and digital design. Comparable to Norm on creative direction and brand identity deliverables for premium clients.
• Pentagram: Multidisciplinary design firm with partners across the US, UK, and Berlin offices covering brand identity, packaging, digital design, and industrial design. Pentagram competes for the same premium brand mandates (e.g., luxury fashion, media) and operates a similar partner-led multi-disciplinary model.
• IDEO: Global design and innovation consultancy that, like Norm, takes products from concept to launch across physical and digital domains. IDEO is a comparable on the strategy plus product-design axis, though at much larger scale.
• Interbrand: Global brand consultancy providing brand strategy, naming, visual identity, and design services to enterprise clients. Comparable to Norm on the brand strategy and brand identity axis.
• MetaDesign: Berlin- and globally-based brand strategy and design consultancy. Like Norm, MetaDesign delivers brand identity, corporate design, and digital product design for large European and international clients, and is a German-headquartered direct competitor in the brand strategy and creative services space.
• Universal Design Studio: London-based multidisciplinary design firm spanning brand, interiors, product, and digital. Comparable to Norm across both physical (spatial, product) and digital design services.
• Frog Design: Global design and innovation firm specializing in product, brand, and experience design. Operates in the same multi-disciplinary, concept-to-launch design space as Norm, including hardware-industrial design and digital interfaces.
• Smart Design: Multi-disciplinary design consultancy offering industrial design, brand identity, and digital experience design. Operates in the same premium-boutique, concept-to-launch design space that Norm targets.
• Landor & Fitch: Global brand consulting and design firm with strong presence in brand strategy, identity, packaging, and spatial design — directly overlapping with Norm's offered services and its luxury and consumer-goods client base.

Emerging players

• Manual (creative agency): Boutique creative agency and production studio focused on brand and content work for ambitious brands. Smaller-scale, emerging competitor in a similar space to Norm's content and brand engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/norm_projects/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/norm-projects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norm