Johnson Banks


Johnson Banks, sometimes styled johnson banks, is a design consultancy in London. Founded in 1992 by Michael Johnson, the company specialises in brand consultancy and visual identity systems, focusing on work for the not-for-profit, education, cultural and blue-chip sectors.

History and ethos

Initially Johnson Banks focused on both print and identity work, but since the mid-2000s has specialised in identity and branding projects. Undertaking both the strategic stage and creative stage of branding projects, the company is unusual in doing large projects with only a small team.

Work

Notable work includes the rebranding of the charities Shelter and Christian Aid, and the 2010 re-brand of London's Science Museum.
As well as branding the company has also conducted several experimental typography projects, including creating a bilingual typeface based on Japanese katakana, a pictogrammic symbol set based on Mandarin characters and in January 2012, in collaboration with Ravensbourne college, they created ‘Arkitypo ’ – a typographic alphabet using 3D prototyping techniques.

Notable branding projects

The company has won a number of awards including seven D&AD "yellow pencils", one D&AD "black pencil", 13 Design Week Awards, four Art Directors Club of New York "cubes" and six distinctive merits.