DiscoverThe Unified Brand - Branding PodcastDesigning for Emotion: How Robert Brunner Shaped Iconic Brands Like Beats, Apple & Square
Designing for Emotion: How Robert Brunner Shaped Iconic Brands Like Beats, Apple & Square

Designing for Emotion: How Robert Brunner Shaped Iconic Brands Like Beats, Apple & Square

Update: 2025-07-11
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Robert Brunner — former Chief Designer at Beats by Dre, Partner at Pentagram, and founder of Ammunition — joins us to explore the deep emotional connection between design and identity. With over three decades of experience building culture-shaping products for Apple, Square, and more, Robert unpacks what makes design iconic, how empathy fuels innovation, and why great products don’t just work — they speak to the soul.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • The real difference between design and art

  • How Beats by Dre was built to become a cultural movement

  • What every founder should know about building brand-led products

  • The overlooked power of prototyping and the “death by a thousand cuts” in product design

  • Why empathy is the most underrated design tool

  • How AI is changing the design landscape — and why human creativity still wins

Whether you're a founder, marketer, or product leader, this conversation will change how you think about brand, product, and the power of design.

🔗 Learn more about Ammunition: ammunitiongroup.com

Ammunition Instagram

Ammunition Facebook

Robert's Linkedin

Robert's Instagram


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If you're a founder or marketer looking to build a brand people genuinely care about, this is a must-listen.

🎧 Take the free Brand Power Score assessment: ⁠brandpowerscore.co.uk⁠


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Do Feel like your brand could use improving but not sure where to start?

Or are you looking to build upon and grow your existing brand to create more impact?

Or are you seeking an impactful, iconic and memorable logo and brand identity system?

Schedule a brand discovery consultation call here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.elementsbrandmanagement.o.uk/schedule-a-call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Designing for Emotion: How Robert Brunner Shaped Iconic Brands Like Beats, Apple & Square

Designing for Emotion: How Robert Brunner Shaped Iconic Brands Like Beats, Apple & Square

Elements Brand Management