SAAB - Brigad

About Me / Brigad

I help companies, owners, and leadership teams turn visions into reality, from concept to final delivery. With a background as an Art Director, Creative Director, and strategic consultant, I’ve learned to listen beyond the brief. I quickly read organizations, capture their essence, and translate that into clear communication, brand strategy, and creative expression that resonates. I move seamlessly between strategy and execution, from brand platforms and campaign concepts to design, film, animation, music, and copywriting. Pragmatic, curious, and fully self-sufficient, I thrive when taking full responsibility from start to finish to deliver work that exceeds expectations.

Having spent my career deeply embedded within major brands like Öhlins, O'Neill, Björn Borg, SkiStar, and Ragn-Sells, I have a profound understanding of the internal dynamics and complex challenges of large organizations. I know the true reality of in-house work: it is never about being an external agency that delivers a project and walks away. It is about taking long-term ownership, living with the strategic decisions made, and constantly adapting to help the brand evolve from within.

Industries I've Worked With

Sustainability & Environmental Tech
Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
IT, Tech & Cybersecurity
Urban Development & Infrastructure
Sports Fashion, Retail & Lifestyle
Events, Sports & Destinations

I have always been deeply fascinated by world-leading Swedish engineering. My background includes working closely with high-end technical brands like Öhlins, combined with a formal education in information design and technical illustration. This unique foundation allows me to take highly complex, advanced systems and translate them into crystal-clear, premium visual communication, whether it’s detailed infographics, instructional materials, or high-end commercial campaigns.

Because I operate as a full-suite Art Director, I am used to taking full responsibility for the entire in-house production chain. I move seamlessly from brand strategy and concept to photography, filmmaking, and graphic design. Furthermore, my military service as a Squad Leader (Närskydd/F21) gives me a foundational respect for the defense sector and a genuine understanding of the operational environment your products exist in.

Working across multiple distinct industries, from cybersecurity and heavy manufacturing to fashion and infrastructure, has taught me how to adapt quickly and bring fresh, high-level creative perspectives into highly regulated sectors. I have solid experience working on projects that require the highest security classifications (references available upon request). I am fully equipped to operate entirely off-grid and without AI tools when protocols demand it, while remaining highly efficient with modern tech when permitted.

Currently operating out of Stockholm (Sundbyberg) with a secondary base on Gotland, I am looking for the right long-term engagement and would be proud to bring my visual expertise to your team.

My expertise extends far beyond the camera lens. Alongside my fieldwork, I have an extensive background in leading and executing full-scale in-house productions. As an Art Director, I am used to taking a project from the initial strategic concept all the way through visual design, communication, and final delivery. Operating seamlessly within strict brand guidelines is second nature to me; I understand that true premium communication is built on absolute visual consistency across every single touchpoint.

My regular portfolio is currently being rebuilt for a launch later this summer. However, to give you a preview of this strategic breadth, I have included two extensive in-house cases below, Ragn-Sells, Zvalbard and Björn Borg, showcasing how I manage complete brand and communication overhauls.

When working with advanced capabilities and highly sensitive environments, you cannot always rely on showing every technical detail or the people behind the scenes. Instead, the focus must shift to capturing a feeling. Film is the ultimate medium for building an atmosphere that commands respect, conveys authority, and communicates the true weight of an operation without ever revealing classified specifics.

The examples below showcase some of my previous film work across various industries. Whether it is crafting a cinematic brand manifesto or documenting heavy infrastructure, my approach is always to use pacing, lighting, and strategic storytelling to translate complex operations into a powerful, premium visual experience.

Brigad

Brigad is Mattias Johansson. An independent creative.

Visual Precision. From complex technology to clear communication.

Industries I've Worked With

Why I want to strengthen Saab’s visual communication

Beyond the lens

The complete in-house creative chain

Film & Motion

Cinematic Storytelling. Capturing the Feeling.

Selected experience

Ready for the next mission