Stefan Kiefer was born and grew up on the German island of Sylt. He worked as an illustrator and art director for many famous national and international publishers, agencies and companies before joining Spiegel, where he worked for 18 years, including 13 as cover art director. At the end of 2014, he founded Hongkong Studios in Hamburg. Working in a 400-square-metre large former warehouse, the company is a creative laboratory for graphic design, workshops, art, photography and music.