HiQ, together with Great Apes and Earth People, is awarded at one of Europe's most renowned design competitions – a silver at European Design Awards for its very own brand identity.

This weekend, European Design Awards celebrated the best of brand & graphic design, illustration, and digital design in Europe at a ceremony in Luxembourg. The only Swedish winner in a branding category was HiQ, who was awarded a silver in Branding: Digital Identity Applications.

“We aim for our brand identity to be unique within our industry as well as remain loyal to the freewheeling spirit of HiQ as a brand and a workplace. It is inspiring and humbling to get this recognition, as a token of the hard work we put into our brand”, says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

HiQ, with a long history of digital design in its offering, turned to its own organization to work on the new identity. Helsinki based digital studio Great Apes, part of the HiQ group, is behind the concept and art direction for the identity that was launched in 2022.

”We are very excited that the HiQ brand is getting recognition on an international level. Especially since the identity is best described as a little mischievous. It’s playful, geeky and self-aware, and doesn’t blindly follow the common tech consultancy trends – so we are delighted that it stood out”, says Niko Sipilä, Design Director at Great Apes.

The identity is a reinvention of the previous HiQ identity – almost solely designed for digital use. It features a completely redrawn logo, expressive typography, a rainbow palette, and bespoke 3D-based illustrations which play a key role.

The visual identity has been brought to life through a close partnership with digital design and innovation agency Earth People – hand-picked for their outstanding abilities in illustration and animation.

“The illustration concepts explore almost surrealistic metaphors for fairly visually uninspiring topics. Quirky, weird, colorful and humorous combining organic and “techy” elements”, says Andreas Carlson, art director and illustrator at Earth People.

The winners at the European Design Awards are selected by a jury consisting of design journalists, educators and critics.

About Great Apes
Great Apes is an award-winning avant-garde digital studio specializing in experimental and innovative digital design & development.

About Earth People
Earth People is a digital agency specializing in digital services, apps, saas services, sites, integrations and physical installations.

HiQ is continuing to grow and expand its services across Europe. The company is to acquire Zool, a leading tech consulting company with highly demanded specialist skills. “Together with Zool, we are even better positioned as a comprehensive partner in digital and technical transformation”, says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

Zool brings strong expertise and agnostic capabilities in all levels of software development as well as Autosar competence, cloud solutions, DevSecOps, testing, and agile management. With its specialist team with Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) Certification, Zool is an expert in an area where most companies have only just started.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zool to the HiQ family,” says Simona Bamerlind, Head of HiQ West. “This acquisition is a natural fit, as both companies share a deep commitment to delivering high-quality digital services and solutions that simplify our clients’ lives. Most importantly, we share the same technical geekiness.”

By acquiring Zool, HiQ is able to expand and provide an even more comprehensive and holistic offering to its clients. The two companies share a passion for turning complex issues into simple solutions.

“We are excited to join forces with HiQ,” says Niklas, CEO of Zool. “Our combined expertise and like-minded culture will allow us to take our offerings to the next level and provide even more value to our clients and our employees.”

The completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, and all employees of Zool will be part of HiQ’s operations but operate under its own brand.

For more information or to become a client, please contact:
Simona Bamerlind, Head of Region West at HiQ
E-mail: simona.bamerlind@hiq.se

Niklas Gustafsson, Managing Director at Zool Engineering
E-mail: niklas.gustafsson@zoolengineering.se

HiQ makes two new recruitments to lead the company's office in the Jönköping region. Pontus Holstensson and Andreas Tufvesson are local profiles with extensive experience in the tech industry and entrepreneurship. The duo aims to grow HiQ Jönköping and create job opportunities locally. “We are very happy to welcome Pontus and Andreas to HiQ. Recruiting such a strong duo is part of our effort to strengthen our offer and work to reach overall goals locally. We are convinced that Pontus and Andreas, with their experience, competence, and strong entrepreneurial spirit, will do a fantastic job taking over the leadership of HiQ Jönköping”, says Simona Bamerlind, Head of Region West at HiQ.

As part of HiQ’s effort to strengthen its market position in Småland, the company is recruiting Pontus Holstensson and Andreas Tufvesson to lead HiQ Jönköping. Pontus Holstensson and Andreas Tufvesson are two local profiles with long-standing careers in the tech industry and entrepreneurship. Both have held several leading positions, know the regional market well and have an extensive network. The duo will be responsible for sales, recruitment, operational work, and the local offer.

Pontus Holstensson has the main responsibility for HiQ Jönköping. He has many years of experience as an entrepreneur and has built up several companies and services within the tech industry. Pontus is used to acting as a link between the board, management team and operations.

“I am really looking forward to becoming a part of HiQ. It is truly an exciting company, leading in digital solutions. I am proud to be entrusted to lead the office in Jönköping and develop it with Andreas. At the same time, we are part of a large company with approximately 2,000 competent colleagues, not only in Sweden but also northern Europe. It’s an exciting challenge we’re taking on, and I’m looking forward to meeting many of our great companies and organizations in the region”, says Pontus Holstensson, Site Manager at HiQ Jönköping.

Andreas Tufvesson also has many years of experience in various leading positions and entrepreneurship, including experience as a consulting manager. The main focus will be recruitment and building a culture with inspiration and vision for the employees.

“I am happy to become a part of HiQ. Putting HiQ Jönköping further on the map with Pontus will be exciting. Quality is a keyword in everything we do, and at the same time, we must have fun at work. We build expert competencies that help other companies, authorities and organizations in every step of their digital journey”, says Andreas Tufvesson, Consultant Manager HiQ Jönköping.

HiQ’s local recruitment need is significant, leading to many job opportunities in the area. HiQ is convinced that tech development is the best way to make the world better, more sustainable, simpler, safer, and more fun. Anyone wanting to join the company’s journey and expansion should apply to HiQ now.

For more information or to become a client, please contact:
Pontus Holstensson, Site Manager at HiQ Jönköping
Phone: +46 72 575 72 71
Email: Pontus.Holstensson@hiq.se

Andreas Tufvesson, Consultant Manager at HiQ Jönköping
Phone: +46 70 924 92 61
Email: Andreas.Tufvesson@hiq.se

HiQ appoints Per Gustafsson as the new Head of Region Mälardalen. Per has long and solid experience within the consulting industry and will take over the leadership of the region with offices in Västerås, Örebro, and Borlänge. “I am happy to welcome Per to HiQ and as Head of Region Mälardalen! Per has extensive experience in the consulting industry, where he has held many leadership positions and once started as a consultant. HiQ's Region Mälardalen is a strong region with a great team and incredible local potential. I feel confident in handing over the leadership to Per and look forward to welcoming him to the team,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

Per most recently comes from a role as Vice President for CGI’s system integration and consulting operations in Western and Central Sweden. Per has worked with business development and engagements and has a long career behind him at CGI in industry production, public sector, and infrastructure management. Per also has experience from Microsoft and Kerfi, where he worked in sales and as a consultant at BMK Consulting and IBM Global Services. Per’s extensive experience in the consulting industry and leading positions is a perfect match with HiQ. Per is the new Head of Region Mälardalen, Vice President at HiQ and will be part of the management team in Sweden and at group level.

“I’m very much looking forward to joining HiQ! I have worked in the consulting industry for a long time, and being trusted to take over the leadership of HiQ Mälardalen feels both fun and challenging. HiQ is on an exciting journey, and I look forward to contributing with my knowledge and commitment to continue building the fantastic company that HiQ is. But first, I’m looking forward to getting started and meeting all my new colleagues,” says Per Gustafsson.

Per’s primary focus will be to continue developing HiQ by sharpening the local offering and leading the team to create value for new and existing clients. The goal is to build on HiQ’s strong brand, unique company culture, competence, and broad customer base to continue building a leading consulting company within tech, IT, design and communication. HiQ Mälardalen is an important player for the local industries and businesses. HiQ is well-established and a strong partner for many leading players in the manufacturing industry in the area.

“HiQ is one of the leading consulting companies within tech in Sweden and is on an incredibly exciting journey. It’s a company at the technological forefront known for fantastic projects and consultants. Being able to be a part of HiQ and take part in the expertise within the group is a big reason I accepted the role. I am proud to continue to develop HiQ further, with my main focus on Region Mälardalen,” says Per Gustafsson.

Per Gustafsson starts June 17th, 2023.