michael johnson
- director
- United Kingdom
- Member since 1996
Michael Johnson started Johnson Banks in London 28 years ago. His company is known for how they define, then design, brands that make a difference. They work with people who want to do big things: tackle hunger; fight for an open internet; address child poverty; raise billions for innovation and education; bring culture and enlightenment to the world; create products that question the norm; shift paradigms and change lives.
He rebranded Mozilla entirely in the open and launched a world-beating campaign raising billions for the University of Cambridge. In 2019 Johnson Banks rebranded the world’s favourite language app, Duolingo and 2020 saw new brands for Teach First and the Royal Academy of Music.
He lifted the lid on the branding process with the transatlantic bestseller, Branding: In Five and a Half Steps and his third book, Now Try Something Weirder came out in 2019. Within education he has been D&AD President and is an Honorary Professor at Glasgow School of Art. Over his career Johnson has won most of the design world’s most desirable bits of wood and metal, including seven ‘yellow’ and one ‘black’ pencil from D&AD. In 2017 he was awarded the Gold D&AD’s Presidents Award, joining a list of previous recipients that includes Terence Conran, Ridley Scott, Alan Parker and Wally Olins.
In his spare moments he wields old-fashioned yet wonderful cameras, and wonders why, after five decades of trying, he isn’t a better guitar player.
Contact michael.
Courses
D&AD Awards (73)
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Fruit and Veg Stamps
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Royal Mail
- Graphic Design
- Any Other
- 2004
-
Jeff Fisher / Giles Revell / Michael Johnson / Clayton Brothers / Sara Fanelli / Brian Cronin
- Press Advertising
- Campbell Doyle Dye
- Merrydown
- Press Advertising
- Campaigns - Trade and Professional Magazines
- 2003
-
Fab Brochure
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Smurfit Townsend Hook
- Graphic Design
- Brochures and Catalogues
- 2002
-
Yellow Pages Directory Typeface
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- Yellow Pages
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Typography
- 1999
-
Canna Kendall & Co
- Identity
- Johnson Banks
- Canna Kendall & Co
- Identity
- Stationery Ranges
- 1997
-
James McNaughton Paper
- Typography
- James McNaughton Paper
- Typography
- Design
- 1993
-
Tate & Lyle
- Graphics
- Tate & Lyle PLC
- Graphics
- Catalogues
- 1991
-
Dear World... Yours, Cambridge railing posters
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Poster Design
- 2016
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Dear World... Yours, Cambridge
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Branding Schemes
- 2016
-
Great British Fashion Stamp Set
- Graphic Design
- Royal Mail
- Royal Mail
- Graphic Design
- Stamps
- 2013
-
Phonetikana
- Typography
- johnson banks
- johnson banks
- Typography
- Typefaces
- 2010
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Advertising / Design Poster
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- Michael Johnson
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Typography
- 1999
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Questions / Answers
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Polygram International
- Graphic Design
- Annual Reports
- 1997
-
South Eastern - 8 x Posters
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Connex South Eastern
- Graphic Design
- Poster Campaigns
- 1997
-
James McNaughton Paper
- Graphic Design
- James McNaughton Paper
- Graphic Design
- Poster Campaigns
- 1995
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Just think what you could do with £30.
- Graphics
- National Westminster Bank PLC
- Graphics
- Brochures
- 1991
-
Style Mike Mann
- Corporate Identity
- Style Mike Man
- Corporate Identity
- Design Programmes
- 1991
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Paper, naturally
- Corporate Identity
- British Paper and Board Federation
- Corporate Identity
- House Styles
- 1991
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Picture the News
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Johnson Banks
- Graphic Design
- Self Promotion
- 2019
-
Johnson Banks website
- Digital Design
- Johnson Banks / Bong International
- Johnson Banks
- Digital Design
- User Interface Design (UI)
- 2018
-
Dear World... Yours, Cambridge railing posters
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations
- Graphic Design
- Posters (Graphic Design)
- 2016
-
Cystic Fibrosis
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Brands
- 2014
-
DEC
- Branding
- johnson banks
- DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee)
- Branding
- Branding Schemes/Medium Business
- 2014
-
Arkitypo
- Typography
- Johnson Banks
- Ravensbourne
- Typography
- Typography for Design
- 2012
-
Science Museum Identity
- Branding
- johnson banks
- Science Museum
- Branding
- Branding Schemes/Large Business
- 2011
-
V&A and Me
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Graphic Design
- Leaflets
- 2011
-
Little Green Book
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- More Th>n
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Design
- 2011
-
Recycled Christmas Cards
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- johnson banks
- Graphic Design
- Greeting Cards & Invitations
- 2009
-
Swanswell
- Branding
- Johnson Banks
- Swanswell Trust
- Branding
- Existing Brand Schemes: Medium Business
- 2009
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Glenfiddich Barrel Art
- Branding
- Johnson Banks
- Glenfiddich Single Malt
- Branding
- Brand Applications Branded Environments
- 2009
-
Glenfiddich Barrel Art
- Environmental Design
- Johnson Banks
- Genfiddich Single Malt
- Environmental Design
- Temporary Exhibitions
- 2009
-
Recycled Christmas Cards
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- johnson banks
- Graphic Design
- Greeting Cards & Invitations
- 2008
-
Tokyo Shopping Bag
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Creation Gallery Ginza
- Graphic Design
- Greeting Cards & Invitations (Other)
- 2007
-
Pleasure Beach Typeface
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Pleasure Beach Blackpool
- Graphic Design
- Logos & Typefaces
- 2007
-
UK Japan 2008
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- British Embassy Tokyo
- Graphic Design
- Logos & Typefaces
- 2007
-
Send a Letter
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- johnson banks
- Graphic Design
- Greeting Cards, Invitations & Stamps
- 2006
-
Send a Letter
- Typography
- johnson banks
- V&A
- Typography
- Graphic Design
- 2006
-
The johnson banks website
- Digital Crafts
- johnson banks
- Digital Crafts
- Art Direction
- 2006
-
The johnson banks website
- Digital Crafts
- johnson banks
- johnson banks
- Digital Crafts
- Interface & Navigation
- 2006
-
Shelter
- Integrated Communication
- johnson banks
- Shelter
- Integrated Communication
- Integrated Design
- 2005
-
Shelter brand book
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- Shelter
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Design
- 2005
-
CDD Brochure
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- CDD
- Graphic Design
- Self Promotional Items
- 2004
-
Fashion UK
- Editorial & Book Design
- Johnson Banks
- Conran Octopus
- Editorial & Book Design
- Book Covers
- 2003
-
Landflex
- Typography
- Johnson Banks
- Landflex
- Typography
- Typography for Design - Typography
- 2003
-
British Galleries
- Corporate & Brand Identity
- johnson banks
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Corporate & Brand Identity
- Medium Identity Schemes (Client/Company turnover of £3m-£25m)
- 2002
-
Kyoto Mailer
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Campaign Against Climate Change
- Graphic Design
- Direct Mail
- 2002
-
Kyoto Poster
- Graphic Design
- johnson banks
- Campaign Against Climate Change
- Graphic Design
- Posters (non music) - Individual
- 2002
-
Perfect Student
- Typography
- johnson banks
- Michael Johnson
- Typography
- Typography for Design - Typography
- 2002
-
Science Museum Beacons
- Environmental Design & Architecture
- johnson banks
- Science Museum
- Environmental Design & Architecture
- Applied Graphic Design
- 2001
-
Design Council Report
- Illustration
- johnson banks
- Design Council
- Illustration
- Illustration for Design - Series or Sequence
- 2001
-
The Modern Poster
- Typography
- johnson banks
- Michael Johnson
- Typography
- Typography for Design - Typography
- 2001
-
www.johnsonbanks.co.uk
- Writing for Design
- johnson banks
- Johnson Banks
- Writing for Design
- Writing for Design
- 2001
-
Energy Gallery Logo
- Corporate & Brand Identity
- Johnson Banks
- Science Museum
- Corporate & Brand Identity
- Symbols and Logotypes
- 2000
-
Design Council AR
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Design Council
- Graphic Design
- Annual Reports
- 2000
-
Problem Solved Poster
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- Michael Johnson
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Writing
- 2000
-
Rethink
- Editorial & Books
- Johnson Banks
- Conran Octopus
- Editorial & Books
- Book Covers
- 2000
-
New Year Millennium Mailer
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- Johnson Banks
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Writing for Design
- 1999
-
Skye Brochure
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- James McNaughton Paper
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Typography
- 1999
-
Tha Simple Ideas Are The Best
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Johnson Banks
- Michael Johnson
- Graphic Design Crafts
- Typography
- 1999
-
Advertising / Design Lecture Poster
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Michael Johnson
- Graphic Design
- Individual Posters
- 1999
-
British Council Art Poster
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- British Council
- Graphic Design
- Individual Posters
- 1999
-
British Council Classroom Cards
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- British Council
- Graphic Design
- Any Other
- 1999
-
Wouldn't It Be Nice…
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Graphic Design
- Self Promotional Items
- 1998
-
V&A
- Graphic Design
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Graphic Design
- Poster Campaigns
- 1998
-
Design Council: Looking at…
- Graphic Design
- Design Council
- Graphic Design
- Poster Campaigns
- 1998
-
Connex Christmas Ticket
- Graphic Design
- Connex South Eastern
- Graphic Design
- Any Other
- 1998
-
Community
- Graphic Design
- Design Council
- Graphic Design
- Any Other
- 1997
-
You Are Here
- Graphic Design
- Johnson Banks
- Graphic Design
- Self Promotional Items
- 1997
-
Mecklenburgh Opera
- Identity
- Mecklenburgh Opera
- Identity
- Corporate Identity Programmes
- 1997
-
Kodak - Astonish Me
- Graphic Design
- Kodak Professional Imaging
- Graphic Design
- Any Other
- 1994
-
The Watch Gallery
- Graphics
- The Watch Gallery
- Graphics
- Catalogues
- 1992
-
Tate & Lyle
- Corporate Identity
- Tate & Lyle PLC
- Corporate Identity
- Corporate Identity
- 1991
-
THIS isn't meat
- Writing For Design
- johnson banks
- THIS
- Writing For Design
- Writing for Integrated
- 2019
