Born in Veracruz, Mexico, and raised in Chicago, Brian Herrera is a multifaceted artist whose work blends illustration, design, and storytelling. Rooted in his immigrant identity and inspired by music, street art, and Mesoamerican studies, Herrera explores cultural heritage and its modern resonance. His experimental visual narratives bridge tradition and contemporary artistry, offering a fresh perspective on identity and belonging.
Brian Herrera’s portfolio spans a wide range of creative projects that reflect his versatility as an artist and storyteller. His recent work includes the short film Ask a Punk, produced by Full Spectrum Features,
a coming-of-age story that explores the DIY punk scene in Chicago’s South Side. He is also currently an Artist in residence at Little Village High School for the school year of 2025 with Artists in Public Schools.
In Creative Direction and Illustration, Herrera contributed to Universal Music Group's 2022 Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month campaign. His artwork has been featured at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, and in the Creative Resilience art show in Los Angeles’ Arts District. Recently, he received the Victor K. McElheny Award from MIT's Knight Science Journalism program for his visual storytelling work.
His collaborations include projects with Hermès and Adidas, such as live activations for Hermès and creative contributions to Adidas’ 2020 NBA All-Star Game. He has also exhibited at Poster House NYC, expanding his presence in the creative arts world. Additionally, Herrera had a recent Artist-in-Residence at the Kimball Arts Center, where he exhibited his latest ongoing series of work called Mesofuturismo.
Herrera has worked with nonprofit organizations like The Center for Cultural Power, Define American, and Borderless Magazine, using his skills to highlight the immigrant experience. His artistic contributions also extend to various music projects in the Latinx alternative scene, including album covers, gig posters, and merchandise design. Herrera has also collaborated with Chicago-based brands like Rick Bayless’ Brewery Cruz Blanca, Dark Matter Coffee, Crop to Cup, and Drip Collective, known for their innovative approaches to coffee and community culture.
By partnering with creative agencies like Desklight Learning, Kamp Grizzly, and CatchLight, Herrera has been able to develop work that connects deeply with audiences, blending cultural narratives with innovative visual approaches.
